Meet Jana Akkari | Photographer & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jana Akkari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jana, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
My favorite quote is by one of my favorite Lebanese-American writer and poet, Khalil Gibran.

“Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost”

This quote has stuck with me for years, as a matter of fact it is even my lock screen. For me, this quote is a reminder to always communicate what I truly mean and feel. It also reminds me to always choose my words wisely and remember that we, as human beings are feeling creatures that think, rather than thinking creatures that feel.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I constantly seek inspiration to continue to learn and grow as an artist. I have a focused passion for photography and story-telling through my lived experience as well as professional engagements.

I think one thing that sets me apart from other photographers is that I don’t have a single preset that I use monotonously for all my photos. I feel different photos communicate different feel and so require a different edit bringing out the mood as well as the vibe I am portraying in that specific moment. Some of my favorite photographs capture emotion. I also channel my own feelings when I’m going through something and incorporate it into my art.

I don’t think it’s easy to pursue anything that is truly creative; I have definitely faced trials & tribulations as an artist & photographer. I think it’s important to surround yourself with other creatives & make lasting connections in this industry.

One thing I’ve learned is to keep going. No matter how defeated or discouraged you feel, just keep going! Everything will work out & you will get where you want to be eventually, but you have to keep going. It’s ok if you’re not always giving it 110% as long as you’re putting some type of effort in.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to them to the Hollywood, the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory. I would also take them on a hike at Runyon Canyon so they could enjoy a view of all of Los Angeles. The beach is a necessity and one of the prettiest beaches during the day is in Malibu before. catching the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier; Manhattan beach is also a great beach and has great dining options and bars all around so I it would be a great option for dinner and a night out! We would then start the following day at the art museum, like The Broad. For brunch, we would hit Harriet’s Rooftop. One of my favorite places to eat is KazuNori so that would definitely be on the list of places to eat. If they like to go out to night clubs, Delilah, The Highlight Room, Sunset at EDITIO, or Level 8 are all great options. If we had more time I would also take them to a comedy show at The Laugh Factory.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my family & friends; I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I would also like to thank those who recognized my talents and believed in me, especially early on. I am grateful for the people who have inspired me on this journey for many years and continue to support me as I’ve grown into the artist I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jana_akkari