Meet Jana Schuessler

We were lucky to catch up with Jana Schuessler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jana, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I’ve developed my confidence and self-esteem largely through the people I’m surrounded by. My friends are truly some of the most incredible human beings on this planet, and being in their presence has helped me grow in ways I never expected. They reflect back the best parts of me—sometimes even the parts I didn’t realize I had—and they constantly encourage me to show up as my authentic self. Their support, love, and belief in me have become a foundation I can stand on, and because of them, I’ve learned to trust my own voice, embrace my strengths, and feel genuinely confident in who I am.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Jana Schuessler, a photographer who’s passionate about capturing people in their most honest, beautiful, and natural moments. For me, photography isn’t just about taking pictures — it’s about telling stories, preserving emotion, and creating images that feel alive. I love working with real human connection, genuine expression, and those in-between moments that often go unnoticed but carry the most meaning.
My approach is warm, intentional, and deeply personal. I want the people I photograph to feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated. I’m currently based in NYC and focusing on fashion, celebrity, editorial and Jewlery work.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Patience has probably been the biggest one. Everything takes time to grow — your style, your confidence, your opportunities. Not every shoot is going to be amazing, and that’s okay. I’ve had plenty of shoots where I doubted myself and questioned my work. But instead of letting that stop me, I learned to look at those moments as lessons. I ask myself: What about this is bothering me? What can I improve? How can I avoid this next time? Growth happens in those moments of honesty.
Preparation is another skill that completely changed the way I work. In the beginning, I used to show up to shoots without much of a plan, just assuming I could figure it out on the spot. And sometimes it worked — but the difference when I actually prepare is huge. When I take the time to map out my lighting, understand the mood I want, gather references, or walk through the setup in my head, the results are consistently better. Preparation gives you confidence and frees you to be more creative once you’re on set.
And finally, communication. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, whether it’s clients, collaborators, stylists, models, or other creatives. So much of photography — especially in fashion, celebrity, and editorial work — is built on relationships. Being clear, warm, and proactive opens doors. And asking for what you want or need isn’t something to shy away from; it’s a skill that can change your entire trajectory.
For anyone early in their journey, I’d say this: be patient with yourself, prepare more than you think you need to, and stay open to connecting with people. Those three things can take you incredibly far.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My husband!!! He always helps me up whenever I’m down

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janaschuessler.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaschuessler/