Conversations with Stuart Hasson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stuart Hasson.

Stuart, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography in 1988, I moved to Atlanta to begin my career. Initially assisting for other photographers, I accepted a job with Staging Techniques as a multi-image programmer. The job was thrilling but it wasn’t the creative or artistic life that I needed. I decided to go back to my portraiture roots, focusing on Family Portraits, Pregnancy Portraits, and Business Headshots. Stuart Hasson Studios in Marietta still has these as the mainstay of my portrait photography business.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning your own business, no matter how big or small, is never “easy”. I heard many years ago that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, I certainly do love my job, most days, but I work very hard to find, keep, and satisfy my clients. I’ve found that the harder I work, the luckier I’ve been! That’s another famous quote that I actually do believe in.

The hardest part of having my own business is trusting myself, taking risks and staying focused on the things that are important. There’s been a handwritten piece of paper over my desk for decades that states simply what I’ve desired; “Stay Profitable. Stay Honest. Work hard at BOTH”. That helps to keep focus and guide my decisions.

Charging what my services and products are worth seems to be a constant struggle for many creatives, including myself. I don’t want to be the cheapest. That comes at a heavy price. Yet, I do want to deliver a strong, consistent value to my clients. Which is why I offer a 100% Guarantee for all of my services and products.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Stuart Hasson Studios specializes in Photographic Portraiture. Families, Seniors, Maternity, and Newborns have been our mainstay for decades. The business started in California while I was in school and continued after my wife and I moved to Georgia in 1988.

During the Covid pandemic, we paused maternity sessions and picked up the headshot part of the business. Business portraits needed a different approach than the highly personal family and pregnancy sessions. But we worked out the kinks. I greatly enjoy discovering what truly matters for these clients; what they want and what they need. I try to not put my clients in a ‘box’ and use cookie-cutter assumptions when lighting and posing. Finding out what matters to all of my clients is the beginning and focus of my portrait sessions.

The thing that sets me apart from most of the other photographers in my area is my 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If I don’t do my job, if my clients don’t love their portraits, then they don’t pay a dime. I offer another session for free or I give them back all of their money. It’s a simple and effective way to ease clients nerves of getting taken. It also speaks to my confidence that I will do everything to make my clients happy. I love having fun during my sessions and my clients usually do too. I think that part’s important.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories usually happened during the summer, after school was out. We’d spend a month pulling a camper around America, seeing so many great places and taking too many wonderful adventures. I still enjoy the great outdoors in every way.

Pricing:

• Family Portrait Session – $175
• Maternity Portrait Session – $245
• Senior Portrait Session – $645
• Headshot sessions start at $345

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stuarthasson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuart.hasson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StuartHassonStudios
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuarthassonstudios
• Other: https://share.google/eDiou7FQcG7xBFP0x

Image Credits
all images copyright Stuart Hasson Studios