NYC Fashion Photographer

Mengci Yu (于孟慈, Yú Mèng Cí) is a New York–based fashion photographer specializing in editorial, e-commerce, and brand campaigns. Based in NYC, she works with modeling agencies, emerging talents, and fashion brands to create clean, modern, and impactful imagery. Her work blends natural light, refined styling, and a minimalist approach to highlight the strength, elegance, and individuality of her subjects.

Born and raised in Shandong, China, Yu earned a bachelor’s degree in Art and Design from Qingdao University before moving to Paris in 2013. There, she studied fashion design at ESMOD Paris (École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode) and French at La Sorbonne. She gained industry experience through internships and roles with fashion brands including Rick Owens, VETEMENTS, Merci, and Yves Salomon, developing a multidisciplinary background across showroom, atelier, styling, and luxury retail.These experiences shaped her strong visual sensibility and deep understanding of fashion and image-making.

In 2019, Yu enrolled in the School of Visual Arts (SVA) Artist Residency Program in New York and later took photography classes at the International Center of Photography (ICP). In 2020, she relocated to New York City to pursue photography full-time, working at an e-commerce studio in Chelsea that shot e-commerce content for brands including Foot Locker, White House Black Market, Soma and Chico’s.

Her work has been recognized by the International Photography Awards and exhibited at the SVA Flatiron Gallery. Working from concept to completion, she leads creative direction, team assembly, and production through to final delivery. Her editorials have been featured in publications including L’Officiel, Schön!, Vanity Teen, CAP 74024, CHIC China, Flanelle, TIDAL, DSCENE, REVS and The WOW Magazine.

Through a contemporary lens, Yu captures the quiet power of beauty, elevating each portrait into a study of presence, confidence, and identity.