Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Ceniceros.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started college as a physics major but after a couple of years got into photography. I was published two months after buying my first camera. After that, I was hooked. I switched to photojournalism. I was photo editor of the SDSU Daily Aztec and then began working for the Associated Press as a freelancer. From there I went to the Chula Vista Star News. I covered the San Ysidro McDonald’s massacre in 1984 for the AP and Gamma Laison, a French news agency. From there I went to the Escondido Times-Advocate. In 1985 I covered the Mexico City earthquake for a German news magazine. From 1980 to 1988 I covered a lot of news and sports.
Starting out in photojournalism taught me to work alone and fast. It taught me to pick my moments and working in film taught me to make every shot count. When I turned from journalism to fashion and editorial, it took all that I learned with me.
I worked in San Diego and LA for fashion designers and stores for several years before getting into graphic design. My eyes for composition and being able to work fast and alone helped me grow as a designer. From there I got interested in video editing and motion graphics, and that’s where I am today. I still shoot still but mostly just for fun these days.
Please tell us about your art.
I don’t plan my shoots for the most part. I like to just show up and see what happens. I create because I just have to its like breathing. I take a lot of my inspiration from the models I work with. I want them to be themselves, not to pose. I want them to react to the location, to the clothes.
When you look at my work, I want you to see the beauty I see in the frame, the beauty of simplicity. I don’t do much more than color-correct my images. I like black and white because sometimes color gets in the way.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
If I come away from a shoot with 1 picture that I really like I think it was a success. To become a successful artist you have to keep trying to grow, you have to keep challenging yourself.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
They can find me on Instagram, @manny_man_photo. They can also find me on ViewBug.com, MannyMan_SD. As far as support, they can always hire me. lol
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vimeo.com/256883392
- Phone: 6192535009
- Email: mceniceros@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manny_man_photo/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/238881964
Image Credit:
MUA: Natalie Bohlin
Stylist: Melanie Jayne
Stylist: Rosey Creative
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
