Gene Mangiante begins photographing for the school yearbook and newspaper at Christian Brothers High School, using traditional film and darkroom techniques for some of his photography.

Gene begins retailing images of posed team and individual sports teams, and selling them to parents of his classmates. Wedding business begins.

Gene begins social photography business at the University of Memphis, photographing fraternity and sorority parties. All images photographed using film cameras and equipment, and traditional paper proofs.

The business officially opens its first office space in the Emmons Building in Memphis with 240 square feet. Anne Mangiante begins as a part-time employee. The company begins retailing photos online for purchase and forms a relationship with a direct fulfillment online hosting and processing lab. The company begins group photography division for college organizations.

Mangiante Photography, LLC is formed as a Limited Liability Corporation. In Memphis, the business expands its social photography to Christian Brothers University and Rhodes College. Three additional campuses are added in Jackson, TN and Martin, TN. The company also adds its first school account and begins offering graduation photography services. Proprietary CORE software is introduced into the company to streamline photo marketing and order entry. The company converts to a 100% digital workflow.

Company expands office space in the Emmons Building to include a formal studio.

Revenues double from 2003 due to expansion in the college, school, and wedding market. The company acquires Oxford, MS-based Taylor PhotoWorks, and hires its first full-time employee Michael Spikes to run the new operation. The company moves to a larger office space in the Poplar-Perkins building. The company begins photographing composites for its college organizations and high school senior portraits.

Company revenues double, yet again. Anne Mangiante becomes the full-time Office Manager. Revenues from the Oxford purchase double in its first year in operation. Production coordinator hired. Awarded “Best Website” award.

The company acquires 30-year old Flash Foto in Gainesville, FL, growing the company’s collection of college campuses to 14. The company hires a full-time account manager for the school, sports, and corporate event markets and a part-time Greek coordinator for its college campuses. Revenues grow 15%. The company peaks at nearly 50 employees. Awarded “Best Website” award again. Awarded an “Award of Excellence” and named “Contributor of the Year” by its processing lab.

The company hires a full-time sales representative and promotes several part-time employees to event coordinators. The company diversifies further in the youth sports and school portrait business. An office assistant is hired. For the 4th year in a row, the company is awarded the “Fastest Growing Customer” award from its processing lab as well as the coveted “Customer of the Year” award. Gene takes to the road on a 21-city speaking tour to promote youth sports photography for photographers across the nation.

The account manager position is re-worked, and a new employee is promoted into that position. The company streamlines operations with an updated hierarchy and job roles. The office is expanded and remodeled to include a new proofing room, dressing room, larger production area, and more administrative offices. A full-time position is created for a production manager.