Jordan Manning

🎥 | filmmaker & conservationist
📧 | [email protected]
📍 | california

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Lately I’ve been thinking about what will be remembered of me when I’m gone.
It’s a strange but beautiful thought, something every artist wrestles with at some point. We want what we create to reflect who we were at our core.
Looking back at moments ...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

One of the saddest things in life isn’t failure, it’s looking back and wondering what could have been.

The ocean has taught me that most of what we worry about doesn’t matter. Be present. Take the trip. Make the memory. Tell the people you love that...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Even on dark, gloomy days when visibility fades and the ocean feels quiet, the Garibaldi still stands out in the kelp forest.

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Whether we’re in the redwood forest or the kelp forest, nature reminds us why this beautiful place is worth protecting

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

The ocean has a way of stripping away all the noise. The stress, the pressure, the endless distractions. They all seem a little smaller once you’re underwater.

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Morning dives with a side of floating pancakes

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

“Excuse me… do you have a moment to talk about fish?”

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Play time in the kelp

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Sometimes I stop and think about how lucky I am.
Out of all the things I could’ve ended up doing, I somehow found a niche that lets me spend my days exploring kelp forests, filming wildlife, and sharing a world most people never get to see.

I don’t ...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Here’s a fun fact; California harbor seals have unique fur patterns. Their coats can range from white or gray with dark spots to dark brown or black with light spots. Each seal’s pattern is unique, like a fingerprint.

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Pretty much sums it up

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Fun fact: giant kelp is one of the fastest-growing algae on Earth, capable of growing up to 2 feet per day in the right conditions. And yes… you heard that right, it’s not actually a plant, it’s algae!

These underwater forests provide shelter for co...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

There’s a sunken sailboat hidden beneath the waters of Catalina… but the ocean didn’t leave it empty for long.

What was once wreckage on the sea floor has slowly transformed into an artificial habitat for marine life. Giant kelp now wraps around the...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Everyone meet Oreo.
Easily one of the cutest harbor seals I’ve ever seen in the wild. He spent most of our encounter asleep on the rocks without a care in the world… but somehow still had more personality than half the humans I know.

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

May all good things follow you, find you, and stay with you.
I’ve learned that the more you genuinely pour into others, the more life seems to pour back into you. Not always in money or recognition, but in peace, purpose, opportunities, and the right...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

I’ve spent years diving around Santa Catalina Island and somehow never came across a Green sea turtle until now!

Fun fact: Green sea turtles will often wedge themselves into rocks and reef structure while they sleep to avoid being pushed around by s...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

A Super El Niño isn’t officially here yet…

But the signals are becoming harder to ignore.

NOAA currently says there’s an 82% chance El Niño develops by summer and a 96% chance it persists into winter. Some forecast models are now increasing the odd...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

The underwater world you don’t usually see

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Life has a way of taking us down roads we never expected. The detours, the setbacks, the moments of uncertainty—they often feel like we’re moving farther away from where we’re supposed to be. But sometimes those unexpected turns are exactly what lead...

[Jordan Manning @jays_visions]

Sorry, I’m busy this weekend