Brief Summary
A recognized expert in the field of food photography, Lou Manna has spent over thirty years creating images of all things edible. His award-winning photographs have appeared in over forty cookbooks, in major campaigns for Barilla and Tabasco, and in publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Food Arts. Lou has also worked on location with many celebrity chefs, including Bobby Flay, Jacques Torres and Lidia Bastianich. An early adopter of digital imaging technology since 1995, he continually refines cutting-edge techniques to convey the vibrant colors and sensual pleasures of food.
Growing up in an Italian neighborhood of Brooklyn, Lou developed an early love of food that was soon matched by a passion for photography. After shooting freelance for several Long Island newspapers in college, he worked for fifteen years as a photographer at the New York Times. He covered feature stories including many articles with renowned food writer Craig Claiborne. In the 1990s, Lou opened up his own studio on Fifth Avenue, and went on to be honored as an Olympus Visionary photographer from 2002-2011. His numerous television appearances have included segments on the TV Food Network and ABC-TV’s World of Photography.
In addition to his photographic work, Lou is an enthusiastic public speaker and educator. His highly acclaimed book, Digital Food Photography, published by Cengage, was the first book on food photography to focus exclusively on digital technology. He teaches workshops on food photography where he delights in sharing the tricks of his trade. “A well-photographed image of food is powerful: it can boost sales of magazines and products, or send people flocking to a new restaurant,” he says. “If you want to reach out and grab the food in my images, then I’ve done my job well.”
Clients
• Bacardi • Barilla • Barron’s • Bindi • Carlyle Hotel • Coca-Cola • CorningWare • Crest • Culinary Institute of America • Dannon • Ecco Domani • Energy Kitchen • Ferrara • French Culinary Institute • Gallo • Hale & Hearty • Happy Baby • Hellmann’s • Helmsley Hotels • Hess • Illy • JELL-O • Lavazza • Louis Vuitton • Lufthansa • Madison Square Garden • Marriott • Maxwell House • National Mango Board • National Onion Association • New Amsterdam Gin • NYU Medical Center • NY Yankees • Olympus • Panos Brands • Peninsula Hotel • Pyrex • Q.Bel •Roland • Samuel Adams • Sarabeth’s Kitchen • Seviroli • Starbucks • Tabasco • Tazo Tea • T-Fal • United Nations • Warwick Hotels • Wasa • Welch’s • W.P. Carey
Professional Experience
EXPERIENCE:
LOU MANNA INC., New York, NY 1975 - Present
Photographer, Author of Digital Food Photography and Educator for workshops,
seminars, webinars and podcasts about photography and marketing/social media.
His photos are in major magazines, national ads, packages, billboards, websites
and over 35 books.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, NY 1975 - 1990
Photojournalist covering stories world wide, photographing people and events
for all sections including features, politics, sports, arts, dining and style.
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHY:
Books and Cookbooks Include:
• America 24/7 • A Plaza Wedding • Cooking with Craig Claiborne and Pierre
Franey • Craig Claiborne’s A Feast Made for Laughter • Craig Claiborne’s
Memorable Meals • Cuisine Rapide • Dessert Circus • Dessert Circus at Home
• Desserts for Dummies • Dogs 24/7 • Dr. Phil McGraw’s The Ultimate Weight
Loss Solution Cookbook • Dr. Shapiro’s Picture Perfect Weight Loss • Grilling for
Dummies • Italian Cooking for Dummies • Mexican Cooking for Dummies • New
York 24/7 • Pierre Franey’s Low-Calorie Gourmet • Rice • Stick It, Spoon It,
Put It In A Glass • The Four-Star Kitchen • The Gourmet Bachelor
Magazines and Newspapers Include:
• AM New York • Digital Photographer • Diversion • Fitness RX • Food Arts
• In Style • Kitchen & Cook • Men’s Journal • New York Newsday • The New
York Times • Photo District News • Produce News • Rangefinder • Reader’s
Digest • Studio Photography & Design • Time Out New York • TV Guide
• The Wall Street Journal • Wine Enthusiast • Wine Spectator
BOOK AUTHOR:
Digital Food Photography
Course Technology, Cengage Learning, Publisher: 2005
TEACHING/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS Include:
• Adorama • Art Institute of Colorado • B & H • Boston University • Calumet
• Culinary Institute of America • Dawson College • French Culinary Institute
• Hallmark Institute of Photography • Hunt’s Photo & Video • Rochester
Institute of Technology • School of Visual Arts • Stony Brook University •
Unique Photo • University of the Arts – Florida • University of the Arts –
Philadelphia
EXHIBITS Include:
• James Beard House: New York
• Top Photos in Dogs 24/7: Bryant Park, New York
• Photo Expo: Jacob Javitz Center, New York
• International Center of Photography Show, sponsored by Olympus
• Olympus Exhibition – The Art of Light and Shape: A Celebration of
Photographic Vision: New York, San Francisco and Toronto
• National Arts Club – Group Exhibit of PAI Members
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION:
ASMP – American Society of Media Photographers
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Communications
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Awards and Recognition
• The Artists Forum, Artist of the Year, 2011
• Olympus Visionary Photographer – 2002 to 2011
• Summit International Creative Silver Award for Hale & Hearty’s In-Store
Promotion – 2009
• Summit International Creative Silver Award for Seviroli’s Packaging
Photography – 2007
• One of the Top Ten Photographs in Dogs 24/7 – 2005
• Photo Journalism Award from NYSSSA for Excellence in Photography and
Graphics – 2001
