
Interview: Jonathan Mannion Reveals The Major Keys To His Success At 'PROPHECY' Photo Exhibit

Josias Valdez
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Jonathan Mannion X Roc Nation Present: PROPHECY

Josias Valdez
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VIBE: How does it feel to be here?
It's incredible. Just being able to share [something] that's so personal to me after 20 years of it just sitting in a box and pulling it out for special occasions [is great.] But you know, with this kind of focus and intensity when the 20-year mark hit, and to have the people in the building, from Biggs to Emory, Ty Ty to Lenny S., it's pretty incredible. The people are really coming to support what I did, my contribution to that album.
It was all about synergy for me. Nothing can feel disconnected from the process of what's happening with Jay, the team and the family he has surrounding him.

Josias Valdez
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So tell me, in the 20 years of your career, what's the biggest lesson you've learned?
Just bust your a** man. Nothing is handed to you, you have to fight for your vision. I think that is why I'm here because I really have a pure vision, I've fought for it and if you see me today, I have the hottest record out in the country with DJ Khaled, Gucci Mane, like "Yo, I didn't stop here." This (Reasonable Doubt) was the starting point and I'm still sprinting.

Josias Valdez
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What's your tool of choice?
My tool of choice? Polaroid 195 land camera. That was always it but now it's probably Hasselblad or the IQ250. I have to keep it moving so 80, 120 macro lens but yo, it's never the tool man, always the vision.

Josias Valdez
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So what's next?
This is really the onset of the 20 years of dedication. Not only did I do Reasonable Doubt 20 years ago, but it began a 20-year career. From this point of departure, I get to celebrate everything. All of the 20's, but cumulatively I've been working tireless for 20 years, I'm gonna tell you the whole story. From Hov, to Khaled and whoever else I get in between. I'm sure there would be plenty of people because there's a lot of stories that need to be told.

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What would you tell all the kids in the game trying to come up in photography?
Man, it's really tough. You just have to be ready for everything that's dished out to you. It's hard to fight for your vision. It looks really fun, like "Oh it's really simple, I know that guy and I got a really good picture than one time," It's much harder than that. This is a business, people are really true and savvy right now. The contracts come at you like Fast and Furious you know and I think you have to be ready for all of that.

Josias Valdez
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Describe your legacy in three words.
Integrity, passion, dedication.

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Consequence and Mannion

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Emory Jones

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Jillionare of Major Lazer with Mannion

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Mannion with Ja Rule
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