Business Spotlight: Heather Hassan (Certified Appraiser)
BEHIND THE LENS WITH: Heather Hassan
Certified Appraiser
Durring Heathers consultation, one thing became clear pretty quickly; professional photos just haven’t been a big part of her world... until now. Her last headshots were taken about 25 years ago, and as she put it, “We’re just starting to use social media a little more.” Not because she’s behind the times, but because her work has always spoken for itself.
Heather has spent 20 years as a real estate appraiser. She described herself as knowledgeable, professional, and timely. She’s thoughtful, diligent, and clearly someone who takes pride in doing things the right way, even if it takes a little longer. “It takes me time to do my work because I put a lot of effort into it,” she said, and you could tell she meant that down to the smallest detail.
Behind The Lens: Crafting the Photoshoot
From the start, Heather really enjoyed the collaborative nature of the session. She loved working with Taneaka from Skeletons in My Closet and appreciated how thoughtful the wardrobe styling felt. It was so nice when she told us it felt very true to her. Having professional makeup done was another highlight; it gave her that extra layer of confidence while still feeling like herself.
What stood out most was how often she said the experience felt authentic and “very me.” That’s always the goal. She trusted the process, stayed present throughout the session, and left genuinely happy with both the experience and the images we created together.
Photographer: Samantha Dueck
Hair and Makeup: LaToya Santos Beauty
Wardrobe: Skeletons in My Closet
Studio Assistant: Olivia V.
Links:
Heather's LinkedIn
Samantha Dueck is a Connecticut-based personal branding and headshot photographer with over 15 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives. Known for her consultation-driven approach, she focuses on understanding the person behind the brand before ever picking up the camera. Samantha is a two-time speaker at the Lens & Light Photography Summit, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and mentors photographers through education and community-building.