Denim Day Fashion Show, Marie Constantin

Marie Constantin, American Still Photographer

Unbridled joy. Fierce determination. Unspeakable sadness. Life is a series of small, distinct moments during which anything can happen. And capturing these moments, one honest and revealing frame at a time, is the passion of Marie Bissell Constantin.

A native of Hartford, Connecticut, Marie attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, graduating with a degree in general studies and journalism — yet she did not own a camera until age 32. Today she is an internationally known, award-winning photographer in demand for medical, architectural, corporate, editorial and humanitarian assignments. 

But she is best known for more than a decade of association with one of the twentieth century’s most respected and inspiring figures.

At the beginning of Marie’s career, when most photographers would be struggling to build a portfolio, Marie accepted the opportunity of a lifetime: an invitation extended to only two American photographers to document the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s travels and work in the Eastern United States.  Marie captured Mother Teresa in rare behind-the-scene moments seldom seen by others. Upon Mother Teresa’s beatification by Pope John Paul II in 2003, one of Marie’s photos was chosen to hang in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican — the official photo for the Beatification Ceremony.

Not surprisingly, Marie prefers to live life apart from her work fully and passionately. Spare time can find her studying to become a Master Naturalist, working on litter control issues, studying cello and hiking in the woods.

In 2017 Marie was inducted into the LSU Manship Hall of Fame and in 2018 Business Report named her among the city’s Influential Women in Business.  She is also a YWCA Women of Achievement.