Meet Jack Manning III of Jaxon Photo Group in Lawrenceville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Manning III.

Jack, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was a graphic design major in college (Hampton University), and took a real interest in photography. I started in the darkroom developing my own work in black and white and over the years started shooting for the yearbook. As digital photography became more mainstream, I worked with a mentor by the name of Jenell Webb. He basically gave me the opportunity to make mistakes and create my own style. I moved to Atlanta in 2009 and began photographing everything from weddings, to events and some celebrities. I was first published in Ebony magazine in 2009 and I photographed Trey Songz for a Nuvo ad that appeared in stores briefly that same year. I was working a full-time job but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled, so in 2011, I decided to move into photography full time. I started traveling to my clients in other states, Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

While building my client base, film and television began to catch my attention and I started writing ideas for scripts. In 2016 I decided it was time to put my film career in motion, and by 2017 I completed filming my first short, “Flipped” with my partners, Tiffany Elle Burgess, and Lawrence “Law” Watford. Currently, I am developing multiple film and television ideas and I have grown my photography business significantly, working with corporate and private clients on events and products, as well as weddings, maternity, portraiture and more.

I have been married to my wife Tene for almost four years and we have three amazing children, Kaylee (13), Devi (9), and Jack IV (1). They serve not only as inspiration but motivation in everything I do and create.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The life of an entrepreneur is never easy. I would say some days are amazing while others make you want to pull the hair out of your head! I think the biggest obstacle or struggle for me is balancing family time and business time. It’s very easy to get caught up in work and lose track of time, but I’m learning how to have a healthy balance of husband, father, photographer. I think on the business side, the hardest part is dealing with consistency of clients.

Photographers have a season that seems to produce an abundance of work and about two months where things slow way down between December and February. Learning to make that adjustment has been key in maintaining my own sanity, lol!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jaxon Photo Group – what should we know?
Jaxon Photo Group is a photography company that specializes in portraiture, weddings, maternity, and product photography. I am most proud of my Zero Gravity series and my Stardust series. I took on Zero Gravity as a project back in 2014 and it has been the most requested of my stylized sessions. Most of my clients are not signed models, but everyday people who want to see themselves in a different light. I try to provide a well-rounded experience that bridges the gap between signed agency models and everyday people who want that glam-style experience.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think the number one quality that is key in my success is that I approach photography honestly with my clients. I try to capture them as they are. Not overly posed or fussed over, but true to who they are. Nothing is better than making someone laugh and capturing it. They will typically see it and it will be among their favorites during the session.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jaxonphotogroup.com
• Email: jackmanning@jaxonphotogroup.com
• Instagram: @jaxonphotogroup
• Facebook: Jaxonphotogroup
• Twitter: @jaxonphotogroup

Image Credit:
Jaxonphotogroup, Ceek Beauty Photography

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