I can't count how many times I've shot with Bader over the past 30 years. Recently, I was way past due for new headshots--not my favorite thing to do--ha. But as always, Bader got me in the groove just by being her, and I couldn't be happier having so many great shots to choose from--so many that my manager had a hard time narrowing them down. Bader's the bomb-diggity. read more

The best!! Bader generously provides a warm, safe, and friendly environment at her studio. Her patience, enthusiasm and artistry were an enormous help to me during our two sessions. And the photos she took for my headshots?? FANTASTIC!! Highly recommended!! read more

Bader Howar - Session Photography Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I had an amazing time shooting with Bader! Incredibly welcoming, gave intelligent feedback on wardrobe, made the atmosphere safe and fun, and her H/MU person Kasia was wonderful as well! Will definitely return for my next looks. read more

Bader Howar - Session Photography Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Bader is absolutely amazing at what she does. Plus she is a lovely person to work with and is very efficient. Recommend her

It was so great to spend a Saturday afternoon with Bader and Kaisa. They are talented, fun and professional. Kaisa make up and hair felt and looked natural. Her touch ups during the session made every photo look amazing. Bader is an excellent photographer and really good at her craft. She knew what outfit to pair with the natural lighting we were getting in the studio as the day progressed. What is most important both Bader and Kaisa made me feel comfortable and confident the entire session. I am very happy with the outcome and my professional photos. I highly recommend them! read more

Bader Howar - Session Photography Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Let me explain. I DO NOT like having my picture taken. I am not at all photogenic and somehow Bader caught pictures that made me look fantastic! Bader has a great talent in finding just that perfect shot! She is magical in her approach, thoughtful with lighting, angles, and details! I am lucky to know her outside of her profession and am in awe of her working environment and creativeness in my capturing my outgoing attitude, finding the perfect quirkiness in my pictures to convey my personality. Bader will find your personal and professional side to make your shots so relateable and exactly what you're looking for! You will be so impressed with the outcome! read more

I shot with Bader last month and she was not only 100% Covid safe but gave me the best pictures I've had in 35 years. She got the absolute best out of me and my pictures look like my best self on my best day. My Reps are happy and I'm ecstatic! Thanks again Bader for your class and TLC. V.Smith read more

I've been in the biz for over two decades... I've worked... I've auditioned... I've researched... And... in all honesty I've even shot head shots for friends, and my own shots. Shoot for shoot... HOWEVER... Bader is a pro. Recommended to me by my new manager, Bader was far more accommodating that I would have imagined, and far more price reasonable than I imagined she'd be. With a plethora of quick slip in and out backgrounds, and ample space and light she runs her studio extremely well, professionally and efficiently. But what's important... the pictures... Right? Overall, the day was easy, relaxed... She's a bit old school, in that she knows positioning and just doesn't hit the go button... She snaps, adjusts you slightly, verbally and then when she knows she's got it, snaps repeatedly... The most challenging thing about the entire transaction was after I deleted 10 shots that were easily ruled out (fake smile or blinky eyes), I had to whittle down from over 1,000 high quality shots. My manger was very happy with them, and so were my theatrical agents. I now have new tools they can use to unstick a few offices, and maybe crack open few new doors. Simple, straightforward, clear, capturing essence of characters I play, and who I am, honestly. read more

Bader Howar - 12 favorite shots, picks of my new manager - Session Photography Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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My 14 year old daughter did a headshot session with Bader and Kasia this past November. We had such a fun day with them! Kasia did wonders with my daughter's hair and makeup. She was able to take her look from an innocent 11-12 year old to a more sophisticated 15 year old. I was so thankful Bader suggested bringing 20+ shirts, combinations of jeans/pants/etc, jewelry, etc. She was great at picking the best outfits for the best looks and ended up shooting 6 different outfits and looks. While taking the photos, Bader instantly put my daughter at ease. She talked with her consistently through the session in such a way that brought out her natural personality and wide range of emotions. The quality of Bader's photos are top notch. I don't think there was a bad picture in the whole 800+ pics! She was very aware of the lighting as it changed throughout the afternoon and made changes accordingly to how she shot pics. She was so thorough and thought of everything! The only hard part was narrowing the 800+ headshots down to the best 10! Bader's touchups put a beautiful finishing touch on the 10 headshots. I feel confident in our agent submitting my daughter with these headshots as they look extremely professional. Anyone needing headshots should give Bader a call. She will make you look your best! read more

I love shooting with Bader! I've used her for the last 4 shoots over the last 2 years and every time has been a fantastic experience. Her studio is beautiful and right in DT Santa Monica. Walking into the studio is like arriving at a playground, she has music playing and she greets you with a sweet smile that sets you up perfectly to be comfortable in front of her camera. Lots of spaces and different furniture and textures to play around with, and she's always open to your ideas and vision that you have for your next shoot. Great communication and her words of encouragement make you feel extra special right when you need it. Agents and Managers love her work, and I was recommended to her by my mentor and long time actress that has always championed her work. She's a human! You don't feel like you're a small part of her big life, but she makes you feel like the main attraction when you work together, and for that reason and her camera skills she's delivered amazing work every time we meet. Beautifully fair pricing and always ready to get more out of you with the time she so graciously gives for her shoots. Always my favorite photographer to recommend and support! Thank you Bader! read more

TL;DR: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS. Nothing to worry here! Bader not only makes every time of your photo shoot productive, but she also has extremely good people skills to help bring the best of you during your shoot! And of course, her photos are top notch! Strongly recommended for any anxious actor who's looking for a quality headshot photographer that'll give you your money's worth! What can I say? Like anybody in this town knows, headshots can be DREADFUL. I was going OCD all week about who to pick as my photographer when my agent told me to get my headshots renewed. I already got headshots done once by another photographer, and I wasn't happy with my results then. Thankfully, my agent recommended Bader as one of the photographers, and so I contacted her. Even though I did not decide her on yet, Bader spent nearly an hour patiently going over all my concerns as well as tips to make my photoshoot better during our Facetime call. She talked about how I can pose and dress to enhance my facial/body structure as well as which aspects about myself that stood out (like my smile ) that were worth highlighting. She also talked about what kind of aspects casting directors looked for in a headshot, and how we can bring that to my headshot. She also answered all my other logistical inquiries (wardrobe, parking, payment, etc.), so that I can have a smooth visit without any unpleasant surprises. When I arrived to her studio (very beautiful place btw with GREAT NATURAL LIGHTING), not a single hour went by that was not productive. I brought an entire trunk full of clothes and asked Bader for her recommendations to which she was able to quickly hash out which ones I should wear. And when the photoshoot began, geez was Bader energetic! She was able to immediately make me feel at ease to bring out my best expressions, constantly remind me to maintain my pose in case I "dropped" haha, and expertly utilized all the equipment in her studio to create an awesome lighting and shadow effect. We shot well past 4 hours, capturing over 1400 shots - most of them very good! Bader was willing to retouch some of my photos as a complimentary service, and I have absolutely ZERO regrets choosing Bader as my photographer. If you're an actor who's looking for a top photographer who not only knows her craft, but also can be a good FIT for you based on personality - Bader is your person! read more

Bader was great to work with. She took the time to go through all the wardrobe choices I had brought with me and I brought A LOT. She picked the items that complemented me and would look great photographed. She knows how to bring out the energy and life out of you and makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. She does not rush you and makes sure that you have all the looks and shots that you want. I enjoyed shooting with Bader! read more

Shooting with Bader is such an amazing experience!!! She is an expert photographer and artist. She has this great ability to tap into you and make you feel completely relaxed, free and open - so for actors, singers, dancers, models - all artists - she is fantastic!!! Bader is extremely generous with her time and ends the session when she's captured the best shots of you - it's not like the studios where you have a strict 2 hour time slot or three-look package. She's not rushing you out the door, she's taking her time with you and makes it personal and shoots until she gets THE shot. Her knowledge and understanding of lighting and composition is beyond what I've experienced with any other photographer. In fact, she knows her studio space so well that she knows which sides of the room have the best natural light depending on the time of day and season and BONUS, she uses studio lighting as well so you get the best of both worlds. When you shoot with Bader, she makes it all about you. By far, she gives the best customer service of any photographer I've shot with. She listens to what you want while also incorporating her own expertise. Bader you are wonderful! Thank you so much for the beautiful shots! read more

If you are looking for a really experienced headshot photographer don't go any further!! I am experienced actor and have been working with dozens and dozens photographers and i never met a professional like Bader. She has the perfect approach, and she's excellent in giving very good directions so you can really do your best. Do i have to say that with her photo i booked my first casting?! Thank you Bader! Petar read more

I needed professional photos for work and picked Bader and so glad I did. She blew me away with her professionalism and cool and relaxed way of shooting photos. Her studio is huge and light-filled and Bader played music, offered up drinks and made me feel comfortable with getting my picture taken. Prior to the photo session she gave me great advice on wardrobe and jewelry and makeup--what looks better in photos, and what would be best for me, so I could project the image I wanted. She was also seriously fast and efficient, as I had the photos the next day. Bader came highly recommended to me, and I would use her again for any future photos in a heartbeat. The extra bonus was that Bader was seriously fun, and it was really interesting to watch her work. She's a genius with a camera! read more

Bader Howar gave me the best headshot experience I have ever had, by far. I went to Bader's fantastic studio in Santa Monica for new headshots on the strong recommendation of my manager. I wanted a variety but was looking for just a couple good solid shots that could 'do it all'. She gave me exactly what I was hoping for and then some. and the entire experience (about a 4-5 hour shoot) was so much fun that I actually really enjoyed getting my picture taken, which has not been the case with other photographers I have used. Bader understands so well what makes a good headshot, not just visually, but in the attitude and atmosphere of the room. She was so encouraging, flattering, complimentary, etc. that I really just felt awesome about myself the whole time she was shooting me. And most importantly, that confidence really showed up in my shots! Instead of taking hundreds and hundreds of shots only to have a handful of possible choices (as I have had before) I got dozens and dozens of very strong possibilities - even a bunch of good smile/commercial shots which are always awkward for me. I think her background as an actor is definitely so helpful for being able to use that kind of encouragement to bring your best self out. I just had to review her because I felt so great on the drive home from my shoot and I knew I was going to love my photos (which I got on a disc the same day!) Now my rep's and I are still trying to narrow down the choices because we got so many good options. Best headshot photographer ever. read more

Bader is the BOMB, period. She is my favorite head shot photographer / artist in Los Angeles. I have been getting headshots with her since 1998. The truth is, her pictures get me work. They get me in the door and that is what a head shot is supposed to do. My pictures with Bader always look like me. Casting has never said, "Uh, you don't look like this in person." Not only has Bader done some amazing head shots for me; she has also done some great pictures as well. She is able to really bring out and capture what's deep inside of me. She makes the process easy, smooth, and enjoyable. If I tell her, "Don't put this lipstick on me, I would never walk into a casting office with this on," she listens and does what I say. I agree with Abigail, Bader is generous with her time, I never feel rushed. I always feel like I am visiting a good friend. I adore Bader, I really do. I have been getting my head shots with her since I was in my early 20's. I think highly and fondly of her. read more

I needed photos for work and really didn't want to get shots, but I'm so glad I chose Bader. Her place has a really relaxed vibe, she played great music and made me really comfortable. She gave me tips on angles, jewelry, makeup, everything. She shot a few different looks and even before the retouching, she got some great photos of me (and I'm not always so photogenic!). She was really nice and obviously very experienced and I felt very confident about what we shot. read more

Bader is AMAZING! She has to be one of the best headshot photographers in LA! Not only did she take amazing shots of me, but she made the entire experience easy and fun! I just shot with her for the first time but she made me feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera. She is very relaxed and funny and engages in conversation with you during the shoot, but at the same time she is very focused and aware of all of the little details. Like the precise lighting conditions, makeup condition, a hair out of place etc. She seems to take great pride in what she does.If you want amazing pictures for a reasonable price then Bader is the best! read more

Hands down the best photographer I have ever shot with and the most amazing headshots any actor could ask for! Bader goes above and beyond giving you a certain number of looks. She changes lighting, adds different colors of backdrops to tie in your clothing choices and also adds or removes a clothing item here and there to give you not just three or four looks, but well over a dozen. I cannot recommend her more highly. The lighting in her studio is incredible and my pictures could be uploaded to my agents website with none or the most minimal of retouching. She is that good. She also makes the whole experience a pleasure and works incredibly hard to give you, the actor, every shot and look you could want. Thanks, Bader!! read more

I was nervous to have my picture taken and Bader put me at ease , So professional and easy to work with. Highly recommended!!! read more

Don't go anywhere else for photos. If you want more work or just to market yourself, Bader is a true professional to go to. She got me some amazing headshots! I have gotten my headshots done elsewhere before but they never came out as good as I wanted them to be. My experience with Bader was completely different. Miss Bader is super friendly and you can tell right way that she truly cares about you and wants nothing more than for you to be 100% happy with your end photos. She did not rush me but rather made me feel very comfortable. Her studio is very private and you can sit and really tell her exactly what you want out of your photo-shoot. I felt very comfortable telling Bader my story and what I wanted. If you are an actor or actress, or even just trying to market yourself for business (linked in), She knows exactly what you need to get you an agent or book your next job. There is a LOT that goes into getting an amazing headshot. Not only must the photographer know how to use a camera but more importantly she must know how to truly connect with the individual and keep you engaged throughout the whole photoshoot. From my photoshoot, I got almost 1200 amazing proofs, AND she helped my narrow them down to the top 8! It was the most fun photoshoot I ever had. Hands down the best photographer in LA. And her prices are very reasonable, I recommend calling her and telling her what you need and she will work with you to give you a good price. read more

What a pleasure! Bader made the experience of head shots totally enjoyable, keeping me at ease and engaged throughout the whole process. Bader clearly takes pride in her work, and helped me make sure that each look was exactly what I wanted, both before and after the shoot. I felt like I received an incredible value for my investment, and would recommend her to anyone looking to refresh their looks, or someone looking to start out with a wide variety of options! read more

Bader is not only a ton of fun, but her pictures are varied, interesting, really pop and I have used them FOR YEARS with only compliments. During covid times, I felt completely safe. Her studio is full of wonderful light and she accommodates your every need. I am a person who does not enjoy the actor headshot shoot and she made it feel like I was just hanging with a friend .. a friend with a great eye. My reps also liked MANY choices, which is not always the case. I cannot recommend her highly enough! read more

The photography business for head shots has become over saturated, and not necessarily for the betterment of the industry. Head shots are more than a pretty picture, and the person I trust most with this idea is Bader Howar. Bader understands posing and is a master of lighting; her studio is filled with natural light which she knows how to manipulate to get the best look possible. My shoot was so fun, I almost didn't want to leave. Being that relaxed and comfortable is so crucial because you want to feel safe as you're being vulnerable so that every picture is natural and not forced. I knew that I could completely trust Bader to find my best angles, my best light, and my best character shining through my eyes. I also had Bader's trusted makeup artist, Kenneth, helping me that day, and between the two of them, I couldn't have looked any better. They didn't let a single stray hair go out of control, and Bader was so wonderful directing behind the camera, I felt like every look I had evolved exactly into the character I wanted to portray. By her simple direction, I could tell she wasn't just there to make me look pretty; she was there to ensure that I was adhering to my branding and marketing plan. Honestly, Bader is one of the best head shot photographers in LA: you cannot beat her professionalism, her know-how, her attention to detail, and her undisputed talent. I will undoubtedly use Bader again if and when I change my look. 110% worth every dime!!! read more

If I could give Bader Howar more stars I would. I would give her 10 stars for: 1. Making my husband admit he had fun at a photo shoot - he hates getting head shots. We had to go together for a couples shot requested by our mutual agent -- and then he and I both did individual shots. Bader was great to work with - from setting up this non-traditional request - to handling both of our needs and personalities. 2. Balancing professionalism with passion and warmth -- she's clearly a master craftsperson and knows the industry, your needs as a performer and the ways in which she can get the most from lighting, color, and physicality (what looks best on camera once the shot is taken). She's down to earth, fun, has a sense of humor but keeps things moving and stays focused from start to finish. She keeps the energy in the room at a high and time passes quickly while she shoots. 3. Willing to try things (glasses, outfits, lighting, backgrounds, stance) and conscious of changing things up so you never get that frozen, vacant look or any stiff posed shots that feel unnatural. 4. Caring about your post-shoot needs (after also caring about pre and during shoot needs and expectations) 5. Providing you with so many great shots that you have lots of options to work with 6. An excellent experience. Hopefully the first of many - updating headshots just became a lot more fun. read more

It was a great experience shooting with Bader Howar. She made me feel completely comfortable which really helped my photo shoot come out great. Bader gives no limits to the looks giving more options and better results on the photos. She creates an environment that is very helpful and relaxing. I got a very good variety of photos from the shoot that I have no doubt I will go back to her when I need new photos. read more

Bader Howar is absolutely amazing. She is a delight to work with! Her studio is very open and warm. She makes you feel extremely comfortable and gets your essence out for your shots. I highly recommend Bader, I communicated with her a week prior to the actual shoot answered any and all questions I had about looks, clothing etc..and even made recommendations; on the shoot date, she cut absolutely no corners. Needless to say, i highly recommend Bader, she is the best! read more

If you're like me, the idea of new headshots can be daunting. After spending weeks trying to find the right photographer, a whole day shooting, plus an entire paycheck, what happens if they turn out badly?! Let me make this easy for you...Bader is fairly priced, makes the entire experience relaxing and enjoyable and best of all, knows how to get a good headshot (not just a pretty picture)! She knows what textures, colors, and backrounds work best for your eyes and hair. She makes the eyes come alive so that you "pop" off of the screen. She gives direction; just enough to get the perfect shot but not too much that it becomes forced and unnatural. She understands the actor. Additionally, her studio is clean, comfortable, has free parking and she encourages you to bring your own music/food. She reccommeded a hair/makeup person and he was also great. My agent recommeded Bader and in 30+ years in the business, he has NEVER before recommended anyone. When I had asked him to refer me to someone in the past he always said he didn't want to be blamed if they turned out badly or for getting some sort of a kick back. So two years later, when he told me about Bader, I knew I had to check her out. I couldn't be happier with the way my headshots turned out and best of all, my agent and casting directors like them too! read more

I have had the opportunity to work with some truly talented photographers. Bader Howar has set herself apart from the rest. Not only is she an amazingly talented photographer, but her work ethic is impeccable. Bader is determined shoot until she feels she has captured your individual looks. With such an honest and encouraging personality, Bader places you at easy from the moment you meet. Also, she is forthright and fair with her pricing, building trust and lasting business relationships. My actual actor headshots exceeded my expectations and those of my agency. Thank you!! read more

It is very rare to find a photographer with genius. In fact, Bader is beyond genius. She knows how to capture that special spark and then some. read more

Bader Hower is FANTASTIC!!!!! The hardest thing about this was choosing between all the great shots that I got! She gave me the best experience I have ever had shooting head shots! She made me feel comfortable and relaxed. She takes her time, makes sure you are lit to perfection and really works with you and the looks that you are going for. She makes the entire experience fun and allows you to feel free and the real you come out. She knows exactly what she is doing and what will work for you. She is an expert and will make the best you come across in all the shots. I had a full session with her and was beyond happy with all of the pictures that she took. I would definitely return and for sure recommend her to anyone who is looking for a head shot session. read more

Bader is the best! I wasn't really sure what I was looking for when I contacted Bader about some acting headshots. She took the time to meet with me a few weeks beforehand. About 5 minutes into the meeting, I realized just how knowledgeable and professional she is. She has a unique understanding of the human face, and the different colors, lighting and photographic techniques that can really create a character. Through our conversation, I was able to form a clear understanding of the different looks I needed. From that meeting on, I knew I was in good hands. The shoot itself was an excellent, collaborative experience. She put me at ease from the start, and the results did not disappoint. All around, I felt very fortunate to be working with such a talented photographer. You won't be disappointed! read more

Bader was great. I was looking for a business/professional photo and she spent so much time with me making sure everything was perfect-- lighting, hair, make-up. She made me feel comfortable and I'm so happy I spent a little extra cash and got a true pro because the pictures turned out awesome. A few other things I really appreciated: 1) She was able to intelligently explain why she was doing everything. Why she used certain backdrops, why she suggested certain clothes worn a certain way, why I should stand in a certain position. I feel I learned a lot and it also got me seeing details and understanding things that she was doing. 2) She gave me a LOT of great pictures. I have tons of pictures to choose from with different looks, backgrounds, etc. and I think that, even though right now I only need one, it's nice to have so many options to choose from and potentially photos I can use for different purposes in the future. 3) She took her time and made sure everything was perfect. From make-up to backdrops to clothing, she always paid attention to detail. She probably could have gotten me in and out in an an hour or two and given me a lot of good pictures, but she spent four times that long and gave me a ton of great photos. I really appreciate it, which is why I'm writing this review, so thank you Bader! read more

- The perfect headshot photographer. She brings her experience to the shoot. She knows film & TV. She knows wardrobe and casting. She knows her craft inside-out.Her attention to detail is sharp ,very specific and knows what works and how to create that. Beautiful lighting, she comes in close and really captures great moments -strong shots. You finish the shoot and leave with all of your pictures. MANY to choose from. A master! Thank you! Great shoot! read more

I was looking for a business/professional photo and had a photo shoot done at Bader's studio this week. It was by far the most complete and professional experience I'd ever had done. She not only has the eye for what looks great, but she really knows how to bring out the best in you. Thank you Bader, you are a total pro!! read more

Needed business headshots urgently this week and got quick response back from Bader. Shoot was today. Couldn't be happier with the process and results. Bader is clearly a pro and super relaxed to be around. Great job! read more

Bader is AMAZING!! She really is all in. She cares about making you feel good so she can get your energy through the shots, capturing your personality. read more

I went to Bader Howar for my headshots and she was amazing. It was my first time ever being photographed professionally, and she made me feel at ease. She has a way of telling you exactly what looks good and what does not. She seemed to really care about my wellbeing and I could feel how much she cared. I also got my make-up done by her make-up artist and he was so much fun! We had a great time chatting while she set up, so by the time we snapped the first shot i was completley relaxed and focused. She was excellent and used all natural lighting from the large window she has in her studio. read more

My company asked me to get corporate head shots, so after using Yelp to find an experienced photographer in Santa Monica, I booked an appointment with Bader. I am so pleased with my experience working with Bader. She made me feel completely at ease, quickly gauged the best angle to shoot my shot from, and did a magnificent job re-touching the photos following our shoot. I would highly recommend Bader to anyone who needs corporate head shots! She definitely over delivered far beyond my expectations! Thank you, Bader! read more