[1][2] He was one of the best-known commercial photographers of female nudes of the early twentieth century.

The models often are found in highly arranged classical poses, and were photographed in-studio and outdoors.

The images are artfully composed with exquisite tones and soft lighting— showing a particular texture created by light rather than shadow.

Reportedly[citation needed], Mandel was a member of, and participated in, the German avant-garde "new age outdoor" or "plein air" movement.

With George Mandel-Mantelo, Harry Baur and others he was helping Jews from France to migrate to the United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia and other countries, especially Brazil.