Why We're The Perfect Fit
At Southern Exposure, we’re more than just photographers — we’re a family, capturing families. With over 30 years of experience, our studio blends timeless expertise with fresh creativity from the next generation. Every shoot is personal to us, because we know how important it is to preserve life’s most meaningful moments. From the first call to the final image, we care deeply about giving you not just beautiful photos, but a heartfelt experience you’ll remember forever. If you’re after a team that treats your family like one of their own — you’ve found the right fit.
Meet Our Family
Daniel Mann
Dan's Specialties
• Natural light portraiture
• Capturing genuine family moments
• Working with kids and multi-gen families
• Relaxed, authentic direction during shoots
• Storytelling through timeless imagery
A Life Behind the Lens
Daniel Mann took his first photo at sixteen — a gift from his brother sparked a lifelong passion for capturing life through a lens. From those early days shooting fashion and sun-drenched swimwear, his love for photography grew into a celebrated career.
The Birth of Southern Exposure
What started as a creative pursuit soon became a full-time profession. Dan built Southern Exposure Photography with the vision of telling real stories — of families, connections, and unforgettable moments — through natural, heartfelt imagery.
From Studio to Family Legacy
Dan didn’t just grow a business — he built a life around it. He met his future wife, a talented makeup artist, at the studio. Together, they created not only beautiful images, but a family of their own — and a photography legacy that continues today.
Over Two Million Moments Captured
With more than 30 years in the industry and over two million photographs taken, Dan has photographed everyone from sports stars to newborns. His work spans continents — but his heart remains in capturing the everyday beauty of Australian families.
The Photographer’s Photographer
Known in the industry as “the photographer’s photographer,” Dan is trusted by fellow creatives to take their portraits. His reputation for excellence, warmth, and artistic intuition has made him a go-to choice for both clients and peers.
Timeless Images, Personal Service
Whether you’re booking a shoot for your newborn, your grandparents, or your whole extended family, Dan makes it relaxed, enjoyable, and meaningful. His goal is simple: to create images that grow more valuable with every passing year.
A Passion Passed On
Now, Dan’s twin children are grown and stepping in to carry the torch, bringing fresh creativity and 21st-century expertise to the family business. Southern Exposure remains deeply personal — and proudly multi-generational.
Still Doing What He Loves
Decades later, Dan is still doing what he loves — capturing the smiles, stories, and spirit of families across the Sutherland Shire and beyond. He considers it an honour to preserve these moments for generations to come.
Josie Mann
Josie's Specialties
• Client care, communication & bookings
• Creating a calm, joyful environment during shoots
• Building lasting client relationships
• Behind-the-scenes admin & session coordination
Josie Mann
Josie's Specialties
• Client care, communication & bookings
• Creating a calm, joyful environment during shoots
• Building lasting client relationships
• Behind-the-scenes admin & session coordination
Creative
at
Heart
Josie’s journey began with a love of stage makeup. She was a professional face painter before her natural flair for artistry evolved into becoming a qualified makeup artist and coming on board to work with Dan at Southern Exposure. Her creative spark brought a vibrant touch to every shoot.
smiles
and
styles
Known for her upbeat, reassuring presence, Josie helped families feel relaxed, confident and truly themselves. Her natural people skills created a safe, joyful space where beautiful, genuine moments could unfold.
Always Part of the Picture
From the very beginning, Josie played a vital behind-the-scenes role in the family business. Whether helping with prep, soothing nervous clients, or offering styling advice, she brought warmth and intuition to every part of the process.
Behind
the
Scenes
Today, Josie focuses on the essential work that keeps the business running — managing bookings, admin, and customer care. Though she’s no longer present on shoot days, her dedication is felt in every interaction, email, and smooth experience families receive.
Helping Create Memories That Last
For Josie, this isn’t just business — it’s about giving families a beautiful experience and memories that will last a lifetime. She finds meaning in every detail she helps coordinate, knowing the impact those moments will have for years to come.
Watching Families Grow
One of Josie’s favourite parts of the job? Seeing families return through the years. From wedding shoots to newborn sessions to full family portraits — she cherishes being part of those milestones and watching their stories unfold through each visit.
Working With the People I Love
Being part of a family-run business has its perks — especially when you get to work with the people you love most. Josie enjoys the freedom to set her own pace, be her own boss, and balance work with the things that matter most in life.
The Voice Clients Trust
Josie’s greatest strength lies in her ability to connect. Her warmth, humour, and empathy make her the kind of person clients feel instantly comfortable with — and the reason many families choose to come back, year after year.
Joshua Mann
Josh's Specialties
• Colour correction, retouching & grading
• Creative photo editing with a modern touch
• Web design, admin & social media management
• Story-driven content creation for families & bands
• Blending tradition with fresh, creative direction
Creativity Runs in the Family
Josh first picked up a camera at just 11 years old, discovering early on that he had an eye for moments and a knack for storytelling, like his father. He started editing photos for his dad around age 12 — and now, years later, he’s stepped back into the business to help carry it into a new era.
A CREATIVE LEGACY PASSED DOWN
Though formally trained in audio engineering and sound production, Josh first learnt photography, videography, and design from his dad at a young age — sitting on his knee while he retouched client portraits back in the day. Whether it’s refining a family photo or editing a music video for his band, Josh’s creative instincts shine through every frame.
Part Artist, Part Memory-Maker
Josh doesn’t just edit photos — he gets immersed in the stories behind them. He sees his work as preserving moments that families will cherish for a lifetime, and takes pride in adding his own subtle touch while keeping the timeless Southern Exposure look intact.
The Modern Touch
From designing the SOUTHERN EXPOSURE website to managing social media and email marketing, Josh brings a fresh perspective to the business. He’s helped streamline the way Southern Exposure books and connects with clients, blending tradition with modern tools to reach a new generation of families.
Music, Motion & Memory
When he’s not editing family portraits, Josh is creating music and visuals with his twin sister Izzy in their band, Sunset Avenue. He shoots and edits all their music videos and designs the band’s artwork — proving that creativity is the common thread in everything he does.
Families Photographing Families
Josh believes what makes Southern Exposure special is simple: it’s a family-run business that photographs families. That shared understanding makes every shoot feel more personal, more relaxed, and more real.
A Legacy Worth Continuing
Working alongside his dad isn’t just business — it’s personal. The father-son bond adds another layer to every project, and Josh sees this chapter as both a revival and a reinvention of something deeply meaningful to their family.
Looking Ahead
Josh dreams of one day passing the studio down to his own children, continuing the family legacy of capturing life’s special moments. But for now, he’s focused on giving every family the kind of unforgettable experience that makes them want to tell their friends, “You’ve got to book with these guys.”
If you’re after natural, joy-filled photos your family will cherish forever…
We’d love to hear from you — reach out to book your session today!
Your Stories, Our Focus
Let's Chat!
We offer photography services across the Sutherland Shire and surrounding areas.