Joshua Mannila graduated from Summit High School in 2022, although his legacy lives on through his photography. Mannila started his photography career freshman year of high school by taking pictures of his peers. However, his photography has developed into what he now considers his own artistic style: photographing influencers, clothing brands and models.
“I want to move to LA and work with brands, influencers, creators and celebrities! It would be amazing to be based in L.A. but go to New York, Paris or London for photography events too,” said Mannila.
This year Mannila has focused on senior photos in hopes of saving up enough money to move to Los Angeles to further pursue photography with his end goal being editorial, magazine and fashion photography.
“At the moment I am going to continue to do senior photos, and will probably do them when I move to L.A., but as my photography career continues I might have to stop doing senior photos, or limit the amount I do, in order to pursue other projects,” said Mannila.
If you have Instagram, you have most likely stumbled upon his work, which is posted on reels, students’ Instagram’s, reposted on stories and of course on Mannila’s page.
However, with shoots costing 500 dollars, some Summit students opt to take photos themselves.
Mannila uses a Canon EOS; although it’s the hours of editing that sets his images apart. The hazy warmth of his photos can be easily spotted in the yearbook and is unlike other photographers, with breathtaking mountains, waterfalls and lakes as locations.
Along with his photos, Joshua Mannila has grown a large platform on Instagram and TikTok, gaining a total following of 68,000. The social media attention has helped Mannila expand his audience and connect him with influencers and magazines such as “Shout Out LA” and photographing album covers and shoots for clothing brands.
The attention to his photography is fitting due to Mannila’s senior superlative: most likely to become famous, proving that you can turn your career, passion and dreams into a reality.
