Jana Cantua

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1. Tell me a little bit about you, who is Jana outside of work?

Outside of work, I love to be outdoors and in nature. I’m happiest when it’s sunny out and I love reading and spending time by the ocean. I love fashion and finding new ways to express myself through dressing up. I love pan dulce & Mexican food (reminds me of home). And I currently live in Texas with my husband & my doggie.

I'm an introverted extrovert. So I love meeting new people but I can also seem quiet at first. Once I get comfortable though, you will see my true personality come through. I love to laugh. I try to be carefree but also stay balanced and give attention to the important things.

It’s hard for me to talk about myself without mentioning photography, because it’s a huge part of who I am. Even when I’m not on assignment, I love taking photos of my surroundings or scenarios that inspire me. I've been told that my work is optimistic, and I would agree with that. I grew up battling a pessimistic attitude and the way I learned to combat that is by creating work that is joyful, serene and that showcases the strength and beauty of the subject.

2. What do you do for work?

I’m a commercial/editorial photographer and artist.

3. As a female working in a competitive industry, what are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced within your industry / the workplace?

I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to work with some incredible people that have supported me. That said, I have experienced harassment on the job and had people try to intimidate me into lowering my rates and devaluing my work among other things.

4. How have you been staying creative/inspired during a pandemic?

I try to remind myself that there is beauty to be found in each day, however small that may be. Visiting book stores and looking through gardening books or books with great visuals has helped me stay inspired in my work. Spending more time outdoors and less time scrolling through my phone has helped me stay inspired.

5. What women in your life inspire you and why?

My mom inspires me every day. She is the kind of person I aspire to be: selfless, caring, and giving. My best friend also inspires me. She’s super hardworking and a BOSS. She gives me the confidence to pursue my dreams.

6. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a new life direction -- whether that be moving to a new city, pursuing a new career path, starting a side hustle or choosing a new major in school?

The best advice I can give is to realize that there’s a lot to consider when making a big life decision.

I’ve made spontaneous decisions and regretted them, so it’s always good to really think and consider all the factors. Social media often makes it seem like things are easier and people’s lives are more wonderful than they really are. Do your research and think about whether this will really improve your life in the long run. But also believe in yourself. You can definitely change your life and move in a different direction. Things don’t always have to stay the same. A lot of good can come from change!

7. How do you balance a job, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?

I am a pretty spontaneous person naturally, but I have learned that having a schedule is one of the best ways to stay balanced. Scheduling time to relax and have “me time” can be just as important as scheduling time to work.

8. What are some ways you implement self-care?

I used to think that self care had to be super elaborate so I would never do it. But now I realize that self care means taking time to de-stress. I love going on walks with my pup or visiting the local botanical gardens. Reading a book or watching my fave show are also easy ways to practice self-care.

9. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders, movers and shakers?

My advice is to learn as much as you can but also don’t forget to put your own spin on things. It can be easy to try to imitate others but you will only stand out if you are true to yourself.

10. How can women advocate for each other?

In general, I’ve worked with really great women that supported each other. This has been either by brainstorming ideas together, grabbing coffee and chatting about work/life troubles and by sharing each other’s work or recommending each other for certain jobs.

11. What is your female anthem – the song that hypes you up and makes you feel like a girl boss and that you can take on anything in the world?

Goteo by Paloma Mami

Portrait illustrations are by Hailey Coral.

WOMEN ARE MAGIC | Jana Cantua