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Gene Mangiante Gene’s love of photography began in grade school when he was given his very first camera – a 110 Fisher Price model – which fueled his path into a budding photography career through high school and college. Now, with more than 10 years of professional photography experience, Gene’s technical and artistic approach exhibits a background strong in photographic portraiture, weddings, school pictures, sports teams, digital imaging and special event photography. Gene’s photography has been seen in such publications as Human Resource Executive, I Do for Brides and Elite Memphis Magazine. In addition to his studio and on-site photography, Gene is known internationally for work produced for news wire services, such as Bloomberg News Service. He is also recognized for his presence in the area as a photography studio for Greek organizations throughout the Mid-South in connection with his specialty line, Party Pics®. In addition, he is the owner of Oxford Party Pics®, the company’s Mississippi division, and Flash Foto, which is Mangiante Photography’s Florida division, both acquired in the last four years. Gene is a member of Professional Photographers
of America and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International.
He serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for Christian Brothers
High School, the Membership Council for the Crescent Club and as
treasurer for the Gamma Delta Alumni Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.
The company is also a proud member of the Lipscomb & Pitts Breakfast
Club of America. |
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Michael Spikes A great blend of art and science is what brought Michael to photography at a young age. Following in his mother’s footsteps, Michael developed a love for drawing, as well as for the subject of science. After getting his first camera at age 9, a 110 Kodak model, Michael found his calling and began learning the art of photography, as well as the scientific and technical aspects that make a great photo possible. Michael took his photography skills to college, where he pursued a degree in photojournalism. He also worked as the staff photographer for the University of Memphis’ communications department, and the University of Memphis Magazine. Additionally, he worked as a freelance photographer for the Desoto Appeal. His professional experience also includes portraits, advertising and special event photography and digital imaging for publications and Web sites. He has extensive knowledge in developing slide and negative database systems, as well. A member of the Mangiante Photography team for
more than six years, Michael offers his extensive knowledge of photography
and its processes as operations manager for the company. He is responsible
for management and training of all part-time staff, in addition
to managing customer service initiatives. |
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Anne Mangiante As the sister of Gene Mangiante, owner, Anne is closely linked to many administrative duties of the company. She began working with Mangiante Photography in 2001 while still in college, and joined the team full time after graduating from The University of Memphis. Anne coordinates much of the daily work in the office, including customer service and accounting; leading workflow for high school senior and college composite markets; assisting with communication with 14 college campuses the company serves; and occasionally, on-location photo shoots. According to Anne, having clients tell her that they have too many great images to choose from is never a problem. Tears of joy are also well accepted. |
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Elizabeth Bower A big fan of picture day in school, Elizabeth stands behind the fact that everyone loves to get his or her picture taken and, secretly, everyone wants to see how they look! Once she saw how Mangiante Photography worked, Elizabeth had to be a part of the genuine customer-driven focus and excitement all around. And it helps that she loves meeting new people and building relationships with others. A native Memphian, Elizabeth brings more than 15 years of sales experience to her position at Mangiante and has an equal amount of experience in coaching area church and sports leagues. She joined the company in 2008, focusing predominantly on forming relationships in Mangiante’s school and sports markets. |
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Somers' Gardner Somers found her love of photography at a very young age through an unlikely passion of photographing her pets - dressed up in baby doll clothing! Over the years, this passion led to developing her skills as a photographer not only as a hobby, but as a career. She landed her first photography gig during college with Mangiante Photography’s Party Pics® in 2004. Upon graduating from Lambuth University, Somers’ love of photography took her overseas, where she traveled for two years to many exotic places including Australia, Brazil, Thailand and New Zealand where she honed her skills through portrait and landscape photography. Somers rejoined the Mangiante team in late 2007.
Her primary responsibilities include photographing school, sports
and corporate events. She is involved in the post-production of
events including image processing, editing and FTP transfer to Mangiante’s
retail Web sites. |
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Philip Powis Phil found his niche in photography fairly recently when he began to dabble with a camera about two years ago. A quick learner and natural at photography, Phil sought opportunities to hone his skills professionally and joined the Mangiante Photography team in 2007 as a part-time photographer for Party Pics®. After only a few weeks, Phil’s skills not
only as photographer but past experience in the music promotion
and concert business, offered him the opportunity for promotion
to production coordinator. Soon after, he was promoted to his current
position of account manager, a role in which he oversees the planning,
execution, production and final delivery of Mangiante’s products
and services to customers. |
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Jana Pate Capturing memories from a crazy whirlwind of events is Jana’s favorite part of working at Mangiante. Jana has been with Mangiante Photography for more than two years as greek coordinator and has seen firsthand the important role that capturing memorable moments at greek events, from bid days to formals, can play. Her primary duties include communication, scheduling and planning of photography events for more than 150 greek organizations at 14 college campuses in Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida and Kentucky. Jana’s attention to detail and dedication to customer service allow Mangiante Photography to cover hundreds of greek events each year in the college market alone. |
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Anna Beth Drinkard Anna Beth joined Mangiante Photography in 2007 as an office assistant. She found an interest in the photography industry after moving back to the United States from the Dominican Republic, where she lived for 10 years with her family. In 2008, she moved to the production department where she oversees the production of products and services; helping manage the office databases; and assisting with production, sales, customer service, data entry and on-site support at events. In January 2009, she accepted a position as the manager of the production department. She enjoys the ever-evolving nature of the photography industry and forming relationships with clients. |
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Donna Smith Donna Smith began her career with Mangiante Photography as production coordinator in September 2008 after graduating from Rhodes College with a degree in studio art. In January 2009, she moved to the office assistant position where her primary duties include general office work, customer service, assisting with high school senior photography and assembling orders for clients. Donna’s creative ability led her to search for opportunities through which she could express herself, and she found a professional home at Mangiante where she can fulfill her desire to help people Capture Life’s Moments. When she was a child, her every move was photographed by her parents, and Donna wants to help other people keep their memories intact through photography. She loves learning about the community and embraces the way Mangiante Photography works with its clients. Knowing that she has helped someone create great photos is only one aspect of her job that Donna enjoys the most.
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