Back in 2003, Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Barbagallo had the genius idea of developing a luxury lifestyle / arts & culture magazine, 100% of whose profits would go to children’s charities throughout Australia. The result was the creation of beautifully art directed Box Magazine.  Seven years later this growing magazine and accompanying online luxury guide has not only helped raise funds for children’s charities including their own foundation ToyBox International, but through forward thinking art direction and innovative design has also has covered stories on some of the most prestigious and creative artists of our generation like Mario Testino, Penelope Cruz, Mick Jagger, Karim Rashid, and Angelina Jolie.

 This month, the glossy art book quarterly features an eight-page photo gallery & interview with our very own Jonathan Mannion, highlighting his meteoric rise to success in still photography and directing, and his genuine passion for hip hop… the business, the culture, and what it stands for.

“I prided myself on living the movement, I wasn’t removed from it. He says, when reflecting on how he built his reputation in the industry as a photographer during the early part of his career. “I wasn’t like ‘I don’t give a fuck about Outkast but I’ll shoot them because I can make them look good.’ I was more inspired by the music and I thought visually I could take people to the place because I understood what they were presenting.”

 Jonathan’s infectious fervor enables him to gain complete trust in the subjects he’s shooting, who in turn allow him to divulge in their personal lives permitting him unprecedented access to areas and situations that other photographers might not otherwise have access to. Because of this Jonathan has been fortunate enough to capture some of the most intimate moments with his subjects that you wouldn’t normally expect. “I want to go to the foundation of what makes you, you. Says Jonathan. “Where did you grow up, take me to your mum’s house, introduce me to your family, what grade school did you go to, show me your first car, where’d you get in your first fight…” Jonathan champions these methods he’s adopted and feels strongly about this being one of the core reasons his images have substance.

 The in depth feature continues to highlight significant chapters in Jonathan’s burgeoning career as photographer and director in the music industry, cementing him as one of the biggest and leading sought after individuals in the business.

  For the full article and information about Box magazine’s charities, contact Box magazine at: www.boxmagazine.com.au 

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