When Marie-Jean was a child, growing up on D’Urville Island, her uncle gave her a point and shoot camera. From that time, she was the photographer of the family. At teacher’s college, she developed a passion for the darkroom (something that informs her teaching practise even now). Her intuitive skills with a camera, and her sophisticated sense of design led her to become a photographer of choice for many people.

Weddings, editorial photography, portraits – all became part of her repertoire. Coupled with the demands of bringing up a young family and her involvement in her husband’s busy building business, photography took a back seat for a few years. However the demand for Marie-Jean’s photographic eye grew. After a time, realising that her limited technical knowledge was hampering her creativity, she began a journey towards greater photographic mastery through a more formalised education.

Before long, Marie-Jean was working as an assistant to Mel. For the first time, with her family grown up, she had the freedom to take photography really seriously. Mel and Marie-Jean joined in business, and established Mel Phillips School of Photography.

Marie-Jean is a tutor – her areas of expertise are of course in the darkroom, and through the creative components of both tertiary programmes. She is the financial director of The Photo School (and also the one with LOTS of opinions), and she continues to take photographs professionally.