Meet Suzan Najjar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzan Najjar.

Hi Suzan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a daughter of a Syrian immigrant; we escaped Syria long before the war in the summer of 1992, we started our journey in Seattle, WA. My parents decided to open a Mediterranean grocery store; I would help organize the deli with colorful olives, assortments of feta cheeses, and pack spices into little jars. That is when my passion for food began; I loved to cook, experiment and share. I moved to Southern California after high school, and that’s what I met my husband. I explored careers options while raising three children, such as starting a catering business. But working in sales & marketing with a spice manufacturer is  when I realized I wanted to be a food photographer. It was the ability to work with food and share it with the world that spoke to me.

After styling & shooting my first dish, I knew this was my calling, and no matter how hard it was going to be, I am going to do it and make it happen. I took many classes online, researched, and immersed myself in beautiful food every day. I started my own Food Photography business in 2017, and it has been a dream come true. There are no shortcuts to becoming a professional photographer, especially in an already saturated industry with lots of competition. Consistency and attitude are so important and is how I got to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road; some of the struggles I’ve had to overcome are job security, life-work balance, and burnouts (they are real). If I wanted job security, I wouldn’t have pursued a career in the creative industry. I don’t get to punch into my 9-5pm job and start getting paid immediately. I have to put in the work every day and know when to put the camera down and shut it off mentally. I have always welcomed the struggles and challenges because they helped me perfect my process and workflow.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Food photography is only a piece of what I do! I work with restaurant owners, B2B companies, and retail food companies in several ways. I develop recipes that feature their product and produce tasty style videos. Food Styling is also an essential element with what I do; in food photography, your space is controlled, so everything in the frame has to be intentional. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t take myself too seriously. I am having fun while bringing food to life. I am known for my positive attitude and ability to adapt to any situation with a smile on my face and open heart.

How do you think about luck?
Luck has played a role essentially, it perhaps got me to connect with the right client at the right time, but after that, it was up to me to show up, create a long last connection and do the work.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://suzannajjarphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannajjarphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzannajjarphotography

Image Credits:
Suzan Najjar Photography
Main photo is taken by Natasha Lee