James' photographic imagination begins with a genuine love of the land and a lust for adventure. Brought up in Michigan on wildflower walks and backpacking trips, he learned to cherish wild places. At age eleven his father gave him a powerful tool for sharing these places with others—a camera. His passion for these places, and the plants and critters that inhabited them, grew hand-in-hand with his development as a photographer. 

Two decades of photography later, James Manning's work is about more than just capturing the beauty of a place. It is a compelling visual plea to appreciate and protect our wild places and the flora and fauna that dwell within them.

He is most known for his black and white star photography. Around the time of each new moon, when the sky is bursting with stars, you will find him photography in some quite corner of wilderness. Using his skills in long exposure photography and an assortment of specialized equipment he harnesses the glow of the stars so that we might see them at their most resplendent.

When not studying the vastness of the stars far above us, he is likely finding inspiration from wildflowers near and dear to Northern Michigan. He has a growing collection of black and white wildflower portraits showing their beauty and form.

James resides in Bellaire, Michigan with his wife Elizabeth Manning. In 2020 they began Two Hoots Studio to combine their artistry so that they might share it with art lovers.

If you have questions for James Manning regarding his photography or commissions you can reach him at jamesmanningphotography@gmail.com

To see a portfolio of his work click here — portfolio