For a self-described shutterbug, Gene Mangiante doesn't log toomuch camera time these days.
It's not that he doesn't want to, it's just that the 28-year-oldentrepreneur is too busy developing , which he founded in 2001.
Now he spends about 90 percent of his work life tending toadministrative and operational duties, while a roster of full- andpart-time photographers do most of the shooting.
'It's the best of both worlds because I get to combine two thingsthat I love, photography and business,' Mangiante said. 'I startedtaking pictures when I was 6 and now I make a nice living at it. I'ma lucky guy.'
Recent renovations expanded Mangiante's East Memphis studio by athird, bringing it to 2,000 square feet. Business has more thandoubled in the last year, a trend that the young professional saidhas continued ever since he set up shop.
His secret, not surprisingly, is focus. The company specializesin youth sports and school photos, two sectors relatively immune toeconomic negatives.
'We've been fortunate to tap into a stable market, and we justkeep growing,' Mangiante said. 'A lot of parents may not be able tospend hundreds of dollars on a family portrait, but they can usuallyafford $25 for a photo from a ball game or at graduation.'
Convenience is another factor in the company's success, Mangiantesaid. Converting to an all-digital format allows the studio to offercustomers speedy access to images and easy online ordering.
Instead of waiting weeks for proofs and photos, the images areposted online within a day.
The company has contracts with several area schools to takesenior pictures, including Christian Brothers High School, whereMangiante got his start working for the newspaper and yearbook.
Brother Chris Englert, CBHS principal, could have predictedMangiante's success.
'I was always impressed with how much he enjoyed photography andhow he had an idea of what he wanted to do in life,' Englert said.'The way he's managed to integrate photography and technology isbrilliant. It's a great business model.'
Kevin Weaver, sports coordinator for the Germantown Parks andRecreation Department, agreed.
Mangiante submitted the winning low bid to take team portraitsfor the city's youth basketball league and processed the work inrecord time.
'They had the teams in and out and within a day or so the parentscould see the photos online and order what they wanted,' Weaversaid. 'It's a solid operation.'
In addition to school portraits and youth sports, the companyalso boasts a growing business of snapping shots at collegiatefraternity and sorority events.
Mangiante bought Oxford, Miss.-based Taylor PhotoWorks in 2004and two years later added Flash Foto in Gainesville, Fla., companiesdedicated to working the undergraduate scene.
But while expanding his portfolio may mean redirecting hispassion, Mangiante remains pragmatic.
And optimistic.
'I'm always looking for new opportunities,' he said. 'Even if I'mnot as involved in the day-to-day studio work, I'll always be aphotographer. I'll probably just take more pictures in my freetime.'
Contact James Dowd at 529-2737. To read more stories by thisreporter, click on 'Contact Us' at commercialappeal.com, then clickon the reporter's name.
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Mangiante Photography
Founded: 2001
President: Gene Mangiante
Employees: Six full-time, 21 part-time
Address: 4646 Poplar, Suite 220
Phone: 767-6555
Online: mangiante photo.com
'I started taking pictures when I was 6 and now I make a niceliving at it. I'm a lucky guy.'
Gene Mangiante, founder of Mangiante Photography
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