Meet Stephanie Manescu | Portrait Photographer and Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Manescu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
My goal as a model and photographer, is really to be able to do what I love or as long as possible. Ultimately, I’d like to own a photography studio back in my hometown in order to serve a community that I care for deeply. As an artist, your career is never really over… it just evolves. I have never had a “five year plan.” Keeping an open mind has allowed me to do so much more than I ever thought I was capable of doing. I am looking forward to the many possibilities that my future holds. I hope to find new and exciting ways to share my creativity with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart in my industry, is that I have experience on both sides of the camera. I am most proud of my ability to create professional quality self portraits. Sometimes I surprise myself with the amount of work that I am able to take on by myself. It is extremely difficult perfecting lighting, photography, retouching, makeup, hair styling, and modeling….with just a team of one. Working on self portraits so often allows me to stay busy and creative even when I don’t have bookings. I have been modeling for eleven years now, so of course there have been obstacles along the way. There have been periods of time with hardly any work, and periods of time with far too much work. As an artist, it can be hard to find the right people to work with who truly understand your vision. At some point, I decided that I wanted creative control over everything that I did. Self portraits gave me the perfect outlet to try some experimental things on both sides of the camera.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Funnily enough, I am currently planning that with my best friend! First and foremost, if someone comes to visit me, I will more than likely cook a bit of an extravagant dinner at my house. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies, so I love sharing my creations with my closest family and friends! Though I admit, San Diego does have plenty to offer outside of my kitchen. North Park and Little Italy are two of the neighborhoods I frequent most for restaurants, speakeasies, and local coffee roasters. No San Diego vacation would be complete without an epic sunset at (my favorite) La Jolla Cove. I also enjoy visiting Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden, comedy clubs in Gaslamp, and the beaches in Coronado.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Former Playboy staff photographer David Mecey is a someone that I have had the pleasure of working with since 2013. My experience working as a model at his Ultimate Photo Workshops has completely transformed my portfolio, while also expanding my knowledge of photography. I value David’s expertise, as well as his friendship. He has connected me to some of my favorite people in this industry, and has helped me to land some really great opportunities. David is an incredible mentor, and I appreciate him for always encouraging me to pursue my passions, whether it be photography, modeling, or cooking!

Website: StephanieManescu.com

Instagram: @StephanieManescu

Twitter: @StephManescu

Facebook: Facebook.com/Manescu.Stephanie

Other: Patreon.com/Manescu

Image Credits
David Mecey