Jean-Marc Carisse

Jean-Marc Carisse is an accomplished Canadian photojournalist, visual artist and author. He has photographed political, cultural and social scenes in Ottawa and around the globe for over 50 years. The extraordinary images he has created through the camera lens over the course of his career have been and will continue to be an inspiration to many generations of Canadian visual artists. His photographic legacy bears witness to our collective history and enriches our cultural heritage.

Mr. Carisse is best known for the spontaneous photographs he took as one of the official photographers for three of Canada’s prime ministers. In 2000, he published a book on this experience, entitled Privileged Access with Trudeau, Turner & Chrétien. Mr. Carisse has been an accredited photographer for many world events, such as G7 and G8 summits, Summit of the Peacemakers, Francophone summits, Summit of the Americas, and intergovernmental organizations, including the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Mr. Carisse’s photo exhibit My Trudeau Years was on display at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) from October 2002 to April 2003. It was extended by three months due to its popularity and then moved on to Winnipeg. The exhibit reflected his professional relationship with Pierre Trudeau and their mutual respect, and included some previously unpublished images. This last sitting together, weeks prior to Trudeau’s passing, is a testament to their relationship.

Mr. Carisse donated part of his collections on Pierre Trudeau, John Turner and Jean Chrétien (69,000 negatives, Jean-Marc Carisse fonds) and on Jean Chrétien (400,000 negatives, Jean Chrétien fonds) to LAC.

Mr. Carisse obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa in 1974. In 2002, he was awarded a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contribution to Canada.