A brief biography

Jean Sebastian was born in Canada in 1969. His mother was an artist and musician, and his father was a senior analyst at La Presse. He spent four years in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, developing discipline, leadership, and a sense of adventure.

Before fully embracing photography, he worked in branding and visual identity, assisting in the expansion of 20 fashion and food franchises across Eastern Canada. He later launched his own manufacturing atelier, overseeing the production of thousands of garments weekly. This experience refined his understanding of craftsmanship, efficiency, and the delicate balance between artistic vision and commercial execution.

Everything changed in 1989 when he discovered Let’s Get Lost, Bruce Weber’s documentary on jazz legend Chet Baker. The film’s poetic cinematography and intimate storytelling left a lasting impression, planting a seed that would take root years later. It wasn’t until he began studying photography that he fully embraced this calling, recognizing it as his true medium.

At 28, he left the business world to study photography at Dawson College, training under Roy Hartling. Working with model agencies while studying, he quickly honed his ability to merge artistic sensitivity with precision. His first exhibition in Montréal in 2001 led to editorial features and corporate portrait commissions, setting the stage for the next chapter.

In 2003, he moved to Paris, drawn by the city’s deep artistic roots. Within months, he collaborated with one of Le Corbusier’s photographers, leading him to encounters with Lucien Hervé, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Roger Ikhleff. These exchanges shaped his photographic philosophy—one rooted in precision, authenticity, and the search for something beyond the visible.

Establishing his own studio in Paris, his work soon appeared in AD, Ideat, French Hase, Maison & Objet, Marie Claire Maison, and Point de Vue. His refined visual language caught the attention of renowned designers and collectors.

Today, Jean Sebastian embarks on his most personal and ambitious project yet: a series of studio portraits capturing 150 of France’s most influential contemporary artists. More than a collection of faces, this project is a conversation—an exploration of identity, presence, and truth. His portraits, far from being mere representations, act as a mirror. Stripped of pretense, each image reveals a moment of sincerity, where the artist and photographer meet at a point of vulnerability and power.

This project, curated by Frédérique Lucien, Ivan Messac, and Olivier Kaeppelin, is not just an archive of an era but a reflection of a deeper artistic journey—one that goes beyond documentation to capture the essence of those who shape contemporary art.