About Us
Manny is an internationally awarded photographer but his greatest professional accomplishments are the memories that are created with each session.
Manny has been happily married to Mary Jane for the last 35 years.
Mary Jane is the studio 
Manager. She excels at quality control and keeps the studio on the right track. Manny and Mary Jane established the Studio in 1989. Manny was a Corporate Photographer and Media Specialist for ten years. Mary Jane worked in the Accounting offices of Robby’s Sporting Goods.
Their business has gone full circle starting out as a home studio, moving to several Professional locations before purchasing an historic home on “The Avenue”. Five years after restoring the building into a very attractive working studio they sold and purchased their current Home and Studio. Located on two and one half acres of beautiful Oak trees, this location affords a serene environment for truly personalized service.
They converted an existing Barn into a warm and efficient 1800 sq. foot studio with “State of the Art” equipment. The studio features twenty foot ceilings and perfect north light exposures as well as many outdoor locations. Still a work in progress the Cruz’s have been at this location since December of 1999.
Manny is very active in both Professional & Civic Associations. He is a past President of the West Bradenton Rotary Club, where he has served as a Board Member and Committee Chair as well as being voted Rotarian of the Year in 1998-1999. Mary Jane and Manny are both Paul Harris Fellows.
Internationally Awarded
Sarasota Herald Tribune Readers Preference winner 2018
Bradenton Herald Reader’s Preference Voted “Best Photographer” Eight Times. Most recently 2017.
2015 Recognized as a Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America
2012 & 2013 Recognized as one of Florida’s Top Ten Photographers by Florida Professional Photographers Association
2011 Voted “Best of Out East” by Living Out East” Magazine.
2009 Selected to the Loan Collection, Professional Photographers of America, Internationally Awarded Print Competition, representing the Finest Collection of Professional Images in the World.
2007 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print First Place Open
2005 Selected to the Loan Collection Professional Professional Photographers of America, Internationally Awarded Print Competition, representing the Finest Collection of Professional Images in the World.
2000 Florida Professional Photographers Awarded Florida Service Award
1998 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print Second Place Portrait of a Child
1997 Florida Professional Photographers
Honor Print First Place Open
Winner Kodak Gallery Award
Awarded Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence
1996 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print
Second Place Portrait of a Woman
1995 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print
First Place Portrait of a Child
1994 Silver ADDY Award
Creative Excellence in Advertising Photography
1993 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print
Second Place Portrait of a Child
1992 Florida Professional Photographers
Outstanding Service Award
1991 Florida Professional Photographers Honor Print
Second Place Photojournalism
Official Photographer the Bradenton Ballet Repertoire.
Official Photographer Sarasota Débutante Society.