by Jessica Mann Photography
Jessica is a heart-centered mother, artist, nature enthusiast and avid antique market junkie who loves being with and around mothers and their children, especially how they present the opportunity to truly be in the present moment.
She was fortunate to experience growing up in the rural parts of the Ore-Mountains - the “Christmas Land” of Germany. She is the daughter of two loving and hardworking parents who have been running a family owned butcher shop for decades and love spending their free time geo-cashing or sightseeing. Jessica enjoyed a carefree childhood full of memories playing in the woods and by the creek, a tradition she thrives to continue.
After her daughter was born, Jessica discovered her passion for photography, and went forward to become an award winning and internationally published children, maternity and motherhood photographer. She opened her own studio in Bavaria, Germany in 2014, which quickly became successful. Especially women loved booking her for empowering and uplifting maternity sessions.
Jessica promotes a healthy body image, teaches self-love and strongly believes that everyone is photogenic in their own unique way.
Combining family and work life in one safe and serene place has always been a desired wish. A place her children as well as other families could enjoy and would love coming to - the “Moonhaven" concept was born.
When Jessica isn't spending creative time behind the lens, she is usually found enjoying time with her children and animals, in the garden, reading a good book or dreaming up new ideas while humming a country song.
"If you can dream it, you can do it!"
JESSICA MANN
Jessica’s work has been featured in NURTURE Natural Parenting Magazine in Australia, as well as various Online Publications.
Amongst other awards she has won 1st price in the category “Children Photography” in 2018 and 1st price in “Maternity Photography” in Germany in 2019.
On A PERSONAL NOTE...
I have always been a lover of little things. Driving in the car you will see me annoying my family with excited squeals about "all the horses - the sunbeams streaming through the clouds - the little abandoned cottage - the forgotten wild meadow or the never ending farm fences".
I love watching the birds on our bird feeder, having coffee on the porch, reading a good book or blessing the house with palo santo every morning.
I love meaningful conversations, hearing life stories, children's giggles and the smell of newborns (who doesn't though?!).
I love to find and see the beauty in everyone and everywhere i go.
"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing."
I grew up in a little town in the scenic Ore-Mountains, which is also called the "Christmas Land" of Germany. Christmas has always been a big and important part of my childhood and all through life. To this day it's my favorite time of the year. There is nothing more cozy than enjoying hot chocolate on a cold winter evening, while listening to German Christmas Music and our traditional frankincense and myrrh smell in the air, which we burn in little wooden carved figurines we call ":Raeuchermaennchen". The lights twinkling, the pyramid spinning, and now seeing the magic through my childrens eyes
- it can't get better than that!
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
When life gets too much we go outdoors! We enjoy fishing and camping, bonfires and are excited to hike the Shenandoah National Park, which is right down the street.
The best vacation we ever had was driving through Europe with our vintage camper and hearing the rain pattering on the roof in Slovenia as we sat beneath the trees. The world can be a scary and overwhelming place sometimes and in my photography as well as my private life i am most at peace in the stillness and greatness of the forest.
"In the forest i go to loose my mind and find my soul."
The greatest moment in my life is the day God made me a mother. Every breath i take, every ounce of my soul, every waking hour, everything of my being i dedicate to my children. For some that might sound cheesy, but motherhood has been the greatest joy of my life; children give me hope, they are our future and our salvation.
I picked up my first camera after my daughter was born and worked with children all of my adult life. There is nothing more pure, nothing more honest.
This life change was for them, it was necessary, to be better and to lay the foundation for their future while leading by example.
"Your children will become who you are; so be who you want them to be."
