Ottawa photographer’s lens has captured history

Sometimes, one just gets the sense they are in the midst of history. That’s the feeling that comes from a look at the walls at Carisse Studio Café and Photography Gallery on Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa, just a short walk from Parliament Hill. It’s home to the work of Jean-Marc Carisse, the official photographer of three Canadian Prime Ministers: Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1968-1979/1980-1984), John Turner (1984), and Jean Chretien (1993-2004). The work shown on the walls is not limited to those three Prime Ministers though. Four decades of Carisse’s photos of other prominent people are on display.

Jean-Marc Carisse grew up in Ottawa’s Lower Town neighborhood and studied Visual Arts at the University of Ottawa. In the late 1960s he was doing freelance photography and working as a substitute teacher. In the mid-1970s he was hired by the national caucus of the Liberal Party as the official photographer. Carisse said there was no easing into that job, he found himself in the Prime Minister’s office on the first day, shooting a meeting between Trudeau and some Members of Parliament. Carisse became friends with Pierre Trudeau and that friendship resulted in some of the most recognizable photos of the charismatic Prime Minister’s 16 years in office. The Trudeau connection has been the subject of a special gallery exhibit over the past few months called The Trudeau Legacy Continues, featuring dozens of Carisse’s photos from the Pierre Trudeau years and of Justin Trudeau, Pierre’s son and current Prime Minister. Many of the photos from the 1970s and 1980s show Justin Trudeau, along with his brothers Alexandre (Sacha), and Michel as children. Carisse has truly captured two generations of the most prominent political family in contemporary Canada. The Trudeaus are as close as Canada gets to having an equivalent to the Kennedys or the Bush family.

The politicians shown in Carisse’s gallery are not all limited to the Trudeau legacy though. The Jean Chretien years are well represented. There are entertaining photos of Chretien—known for his sense of humor and spontaneity–having many laughs with his good friend President Bill Clinton. A young and shy looking Princess Diana is on display, as are religious figures Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa. Big names in music are also prominently featured, including Ray Charles, James Brown, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Celine Dion. Carisse’s Hollywood notables include Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and Al Pacino.

The boom in digital photography in the past few years, the proliferation of smartphones, and social media photo sharing has made everyone a professional photographer, it seems. Jean-Marc Carisse, however, is not lamenting this and insisted that talent is still really what matters when it comes to taking good photos. “Not everyone with a pencil is a good writer,” he said. One look at his photos proves Carisse is not just another guy with a camera.

Visitors to the studio gallery can also take some time to relax and enjoy a beverage or bite to eat. Patricia Carisse, Jean-Marc’s wife, runs the small café within the shop. It’s a great spot for conversation and to look at the work on display. And, customers might also get to meet Jean-Marc, the creative mind behind the photos.

Carisse Studio Café and Photography Gallery is located at 274 Elgin Street in Ottawa.

Tags: canada, history, ottawa, photography