Life & Work with Janessa Bell of Rosemead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janessa Bell

Hi Janessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I wanted to become a model at a young age. I would constantly watch “America’s next top model” and wanted to see myself on the screen. Growing up I struggled with insecurities and doubted my dream due to bullying about my weight and race. As I got older I started to work on myself & my confidence because I knew I was meant to be great. As social media became more popular I saw how many people would take photoshoots and see many models all over my feed. I decided to start taking more photos of myself to boost my own comfortably in front of the camera. In the beginning of August 2024 a photography brand “From Heavens View” posted applications for a model program called “heavens angels”. After seeing that post I took a risk by betting on myself to apply. On August 31st 2024 I received an email from Heaven Manuel the CEO of the brand that I got accepted into the “Angels Program”. I was so ecstatic to receive the news and to start making my dreams come true. In the program we did variety of creative shoots located at the home photography studio “From Heavens View” as well as different location. Talayah who was the assistant director of the shoots @_tay.snapped helped give me inspiration for wardrobe, as well as helped me market and build my profolio. Kayla @theeephotographer_ took many behind the scenes videos of me and other models as well as made content. I consistently studied each video to learn my angels and how I can improve. as I did more shoots in the angel program I became more aware on how passionate I am about modeling . Within one month in the program I was offered many influencer partnership deals from many brands including “Micas”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. There were times where I felt out of place because I’m so new to modeling but the photographers I worked with at the from heaven’s view home studio as well as the other models encouraged me to keep going and to not give up. I eventually realized that Everyone has to start somewhere even professionals.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most known for being a student and a plus-size model. I’m most proud of being a representative for not only young girls who are curvy/plussize but as well as people who don’t fit into societal norms. I get to show that despite negative opinions and doubters, I still stand tall and go after what I want no matter what obstacles I take on.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about our city is that it’s full of talented creative and inspiring people who stop at nothing to make their dreams reality.

What I least like about our city is the gentrification happening all over. Many local and small businesses are having to close or relocate due to outside developers buying out their building and raising the rent to where it’s extremely unaffordable. Many homeowners as well as residents are also having to relocate to different areas due to developers buying the land to create “luxury apartments”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaannessa/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits
Heaven Manuel