*Image by Julia Malysheva
“I am Yana Mostitsky, a fashion, jewelry, and brand campaign photographer based in San Francisco”
Originally from Moscow and shaped by years of travel, I bring a global eye and a sharp sense of storytelling to fashion, brand, and advertising photography. Alongside my commercial practice, I teach studio lighting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, guiding emerging photographers in the craft of shaping light.
Before I stepped fully into image-making, I worked in biochemistry research and earned a Master’s degree in Protein Biochemistry, a foundation that still shows up on set in the way I think: curious, precise, and relentlessly detail-oriented. I later completed a Master of Arts in Commercial Photography at the Academy of Art University. With 12 years behind the camera, I create bold, polished, concept-driven campaign visuals: striking, colorful, and emotionally resonant, often infused with humor, wit, and a subtle, knowing hint of surrealism.
I’m a full-production partner from the first concept to final delivery: creative direction, production planning, casting and hiring talent, beauty teams, styling, set design, and high-end post-production, so the work looks beautiful, feels cohesive, and performs for the brand.
Selected Clients:
Yael Designs, Helen Miller Bridal, Mary Frances Accessories, Plinth Wine, On The Roll Catering,
Salesforce, HITT, Morgan Stanley, Northmarq, Pinecone, Enspectra Health, BOYD
Salesforce, HITT, Morgan Stanley, Northmarq, Pinecone, Enspectra Health, BOYD
Solo Exhibition in San Francisco April - Sep 2023
Awards
Winner in Student-Portrait | Creative Quarterly (CQ61) - 2020
Honorable mention | Vienna International Photo Awards - 2020
Honorable Mention in Portrait | Chromatic Photography Awards - 2020
Honorable mention in Portrait, Children and Fine Art-Nudes | International Photography Awards (IPA) - 2021
Silver in People-Children | Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) - 2021
Platinum in Commercial Photography - Advertising | Muse Photography Awards - 2021
Bronze in Advertising-Conceptual | One Eyeland Photography Awards - 2021
Best in Show Award | Spring Show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco - 2022
Silver in Editorial-Fashion | The Moscow International Photo Awards (MIFA) - 2022
Honorable mention | Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) - 2022
Honorable mention | Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) - 2022
Silver in Conceptual and Portrait | New York Photography Awards - 2022
Exhibitions
The Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR | Color Photography - 2018
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA | Spring Show - 2019
The Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR | Photo Shoot - 2019
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA | Spring Show - 2020
Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA | Spring Show - 2021
The PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT | Open Call - 2021
APA San Diego, Bread & Salt Art Gallery | Untitled - 2022
The PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT | Portals: Windows, Mirrors and Doors - 2023
625 Gallery, San Francisco, CA | Solo Exhibition - 2023