Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Manescu.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I was always creating something artistic. I have experimented with so many different creative mediums. When I was around ten years old, I discovered a passion for photography while looking at Ansel Adams books with my grandmother. At that age, I mostly liked taking photos of landscapes and architecture. I was discovered as a model while I was in high school working at a pizzeria. At age seventeen, I began modeling as a way to learn more about portrait photography, as I was very inexperienced in that genre. Modeling became a hobby for me that quickly developed into my career. Eleven years later, I am working full-time as both a model and portrait photographer. From humble beginnings (my hometown has a population of 10,000 people), I never could have anticipated that I would be featured in a movie, Playboy magazine, or put on billboards. Most importantly to me, my modeling career has greatly helped me to develop my skills as a portrait photographer. Working as a creative, I’ve had the opportunity to build amazing relationships with tremendously talented people. The photographs I have chosen to feature in my article are by the gifted David Mecey, a professional driver and former Playboy staff photographer. Over the last nine years, David has brought me on as a model for several of his photography education workshops, which has given me a profound respect for the art of photography. The best part of my job is that I get to be surrounded by people who continue to impress and inspire me.
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?
My modeling career has in no way been a smooth road. I started modeling in high school, and it put a bit of a target on my back. Social media was just becoming popular, and it gave my peers a chance to relentlessly bully me. The bullying didn’t stop for years after I had already graduated. So many times I wanted to give up. Many people didn’t understand my artistry or vision for myself. I paved a path for myself that simply didn’t exist where I grew up. A lot of the work I took on as a model was of the glamour genre, typically wearing lingerie or swimwear in my shoots. The nature of my photoshoots created a lot of friction with my family and many of the people closest to me. Back then, I so badly wanted to be accepted and encouraged by the people around me. It does get better. You have to fight for what you want and ignore the background noise… even if it’s coming from people that you love. Overcoming those struggles, and finding where you fit in, is incredibly rewarding. Though the road was not smooth, I would do it over again any day.
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 work as both a model and photographer. My years of modeling experience set me apart as a photographer because I am able to relate to my models much better than the average photographer. My photography work surprises some, as my favorite thing to shoot is corporate headshots, undeniably much different than modeling for Playboy. Sometimes I photograph people who have never had a professional photo taken of them. It’s an amazing feeling being able to showcase someone’s beauty in a way they may have never before seen. As a model, my photography work has also set me apart from my peers. I find that a lot of models don’t have a deep understanding of lighting, composition, or photography as a whole. My experience in both fields gives me an edge because I can create the entire final product myself if needed. In fact, I also publish a self-portrait calendar every year. My self-portrait calendar features thirteen photos with lighting, photography, styling, make up, hair, retouching, and of course modeling… all by me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I give zero credit to luck. Finding success in any field requires determination, persistence and passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: StephanieManescu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemanescu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Manescu.Stephanie
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephmanescu
Image Credits:
David Mecey
