We’re looking forward to introducing you to Manuel Cantu. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Manuel, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I would say myself. I’ve come a long way from where I was 10 years ago, both professionally and personally. I try to find ways to learn and better myself every single day and I want to try and continue that trend as long as I can. I love when people tell me they love what I do and how hard I work at it. However, if I’m being honest, its when my family tells me they’re proud of what I do is when I feel the best about myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well, my name’s Manuel, and I’m the photographer for Varsity Photo here in Kansas City. I specialize in senior portraits, but my path to photography started about 20 years ago. Back then, I was just taking pictures of my daughter when she was little. I’ve always been an artist, so photography felt like another way to create—like starting with a blank canvas and building something unique.
A few years in, I started a company called Reckless Robot, and honestly, I shot just about anything—families, commercial projects, you name it Ive shot it. I’ve been busy ever since, but over time I realized that senior portraits were where my real passion was. They give me the chance to be the most creative, to focus entirely on one person, and to really tailor each session to who they are. I think graduating high school is a very pivitol moment in a person’s life and being able to capture that is an absolute honor.
Being an artist helps me bring versatility to my work, and one of the best compliments I can get is when a parent tells me I truly captured the essence of their teen and who they are as an individual. That’s what keeps me going—creating something fresh for Kansas City seniors and celebrating their hard work and achievements.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was 26, I was diagnosed with cancer, and that changed everything. At first, it was terrifying—your whole world suddenly feels like it’s been flipped upside down. You start to think about the things you’re going to not be around for.
But going through it forced me to slow down and see life differently. I stopped sweating the small stuff and started noticing the things that actually matter—people, moments, and experiences. It taught me that every day is worth showing up for, and that challenges aren’t always roadblocks; sometimes they’re the push you need to see the world in a better, more grateful light. Now, I try to live with intention, enjoy the present, and find the good—even in the hard stuff.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Growing up in a low-income, high-crime part of Houston taught me lessons that success alone never could. When you don’t have much, you learn quickly that nothing is guaranteed—and nothing is handed to you. I saw early on that hard work wasn’t optional; it was survival. Being poor taught me resourcefulness, resilience, and the drive to push past limitations, even when the odds were stacked against me. Those struggles shaped my work ethic in a way comfort never could. Now, when I face challenges, I don’t shy away—I lean in—because I’ve already learned how to turn obstacles into motivation.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think most people who know me casually would probably say photography. But the people who truly know me would say it’s my family. My wife is my muse and my greatest inspiration—she challenges me and keeps me grounded. My daughter has been my true love from the moment she was born, and in many ways, she saved my life. And my stepdaughter, who is more like me than anyone realizes, has given me a whole new sense of purpose. For me, family is what motivates me every single day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story of a boy who took a life that was headed down a negative path and found a way to turn it into something good. I don’t mind if they talk about my hardships or my many faults—those are part of what make us human and what shaped me into who I became. But I want the heart of the story to be about how I overcame those challenges, how I built a successful business from nothing, and how I was able to create a beautiful family that became my proudest accomplishment. I want people to remember the lighter side of me—the jokes that made them laugh, the creativity that kept me inspired, and the passion I had for the things that truly mattered in my life. And when words fade, I want my photos to keep telling my story long after I’m gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.varsityphotokc.com
- Instagram: @varsityphotokc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/varsityphotokc
