YU MENG CI
NYC Fashion Photographer
Mengci Yu (于孟慈, Yú Mèng Cí) is a New York–based fashion and beauty photographer specializing in model testing, editorial, e-commerce, and brand campaigns. Based in NYC, she works with modeling agencies, emerging talent, 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 began studying photography at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and later continued her education at the International Center of Photography (ICP). In 2020, she relocated to New York City to pursue photography full-time, focusing on fashion, beauty, brand campaigns and e-commerce.
Her work has been recognized by the International Photography Awards and exhibited at the SVA Flatiron Gallery. She collaborates regularly with leading modeling agencies and emerging talent, creating refined imagery for model portfolios and development. 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, 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. Based in New York City, she works across editorial, commercial, and model testing projects, creating clean, modern imagery for fashion brands, agencies, and emerging talent.