Story & Lesson Highlights with Luana Seu of Manhattan, Brooklyn

Luana Seu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Luana , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Lately, I’ve been admitting how hard it is to stay in flow day-to-day. Even just getting up and heading to “the office”—whether that’s a coffee shop, a rooftop, or anywhere but my apartment where I can retouch or plan my week—can feel exhausting.
No one told me how tough it would be to separate work from life as a creative running my own business. I definitely didn’t expect ADHD to show up the way it does—not in the obvious ways, but in the overwhelm, decision fatigue, and the constant effort to stay motivated without structure.

I’m learning it’s not about trying harder—it’s about building systems that actually support how my brain works. Still figuring that part out.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Romanian photographer, and my work blends fine art craftsmanship with cinematic storytelling. I’m drawn to creating visual “worlds” rooted in allegory—each image intentionally crafted to reflect a wide range of subjects, cultural narratives, and human experiences. For me, photography is both an art form and a collaborative process. I approach each project with a balance of technical precision and emotional depth, working closely with clients to bring their unique stories to life.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My mother has always been my number one example. She raised me while juggling two or three businesses at a time, all while caring for most of our family and making sure no one was left behind. As a child, I watched her stick to a routine—weekends or weekdays didn’t matter. She always found ways to show me that being a woman, a mother, a wife, and a business owner would be challenging, but that hardship builds character. That it’s in my hands to make any place I choose to live – a playground. Even New York City.
Also, from a very young age, she made sure I understood the value of things—of time, effort, and integrity. I’m so grateful for that, because the way I lead my business today is a reflection of everything she taught me.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
During my first two years in the United States, I struggled deeply. I remember not even having enough money for a haircut—my hair grew long and heavy, and I just had to deal with it. I shopped at Goodwill because it was the only “sustainable” option I could afford. Every day felt like a challenge, and I constantly had to find creative ways just to get by in this city.
But those moments shaped me. They pushed me to make a promise to myself: that I would work relentlessly, stay focused, and build a life where I could support myself comfortably—entirely through my craft, my art.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Living abroad for a long time taught me that no work is beneath me. I’ve seen fellow Romanians approach every job with passion and resilience, no matter the circumstances—and their strength of character has always made me proud to say, “I’m Romanian.”
I’ve worked in all kinds of environments myself, and those experiences helped shape one of my core values: to approach any work with humility, dedication, and integrity. Looking back, it’s almost surreal to realize how everything I’ve done—no matter how unrelated it seemed at the time—has shaped the artist I am today. Directly or indirectly, it all became part of my craft.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
Since I was little, I couldn’t wait to be an adult—it seemed like the most fun way to play. So from the age of 4 to around 12, I “played” adulthood, imagining what it would feel like to be grown-up and in control.
Then I actually became an adult… and surprisingly, I felt the happiest when I allowed myself to play like a child again—especially through my art. I don’t take things too seriously, because just realizing I’ve fulfilled my own childhood dreams through my craft is already wild.

As playwright Tom Stoppard once said, “If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.” That line stayed with me—because why be a “serious” adult, when I’ve learned that everything heals, everything passes, and most things aren’t as heavy as they seem?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luanaseu.com
• Instagram: @thelu.mag

Image Credits
Deserted In Urban
Erekle Girgvliani
Drew Baptiste
Dasha Prosolova
Aliya Protto