Jean-Paul Mann About the Artist The son of an internationally successful building contractor, Jean-Paul Mann was born in Paris but spent a majority of his formative years traveling with his family to exotic countries such as Senegal, Gabon, Benin and the Republic of Congo. His early experience as a world traveler coupled with an instinct for artistic expression and a drive for humanitarian work would have profound influence in his initial desire to be a journalist for the National Geographic Society. However, after serving his duty in military service in France, Mann moved to Germany at the suggestion of his father where he enrolled at" Bayerische Staatlehranstalt für Photographie" in Munich to study. Like many famous photographers before him, he found inspiration in beautiful women and developed a keen eye and skill at capturing their radiance through his lens.