Quick Facts
Pierre Toutain-Dorbec
Pierre Toutain-Dorbec (born April 16, 1951, in Orbec, Normandy, France) is a renowned French-American photographer, artist, author, and publisher whose work emphasizes a humanist perspective. He has published over 60 books.
Early Life and Education
Pierre grew up in Orbec, Normandy, and Paris. His family moved frequently between the two locations to accommodate his education and his mother’s career. His artistic education began within his family: his parents taught him traditional techniques in drawing, painting, and sculpting. His grandfather Gabriel was a photographer during World War I, and his uncle Jean was also a photographer and artist. His father, Jacques, was a noted textile expert and designer who later became a painter. His mother, Françoise Fontaine, was a professional musician and opera singer. From his uncle, Pierre received instruction in photography and film development.
Toutain-Dorbec was influenced by his grandparents’ neighbor, the French figurative painter Pierre Laffillé (1938–2012), who remained a lifelong friend. At age 16, he attended the Atelier de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, where he received a classical fine-art education. While studying there, he worked as an assistant to the acclaimed German photographer Wilhelm Maywald.
Career
By the end of 1968, with his family’s encouragement, Toutain-Dorbec left home to pursue photography professionally. From 1968 to 1995 he worked as a war correspondent for the Gamma and Sygma press agencies and as a freelance photographer, focusing primarily on Southeast Asia and North Africa. He covered the Vietnam War, Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge (his photographs from this period are archived at Rutgers University), the Karen guerrillas in Burma, child abuse and child prostitution in Southeast Asia, heroin trafficking, and judicial inequities affecting foreigners.
In 1978–1979 he worked in Morocco for King Hassan II, extensively photographing then-Crown Prince (now King) Mohammed VI; the royal palace holds a large collection of his images. In 1983–1984 he lived and worked with the Dalai Lama, co-authoring two books. He also documented ancient French traditions (some now in museum collections, including the Musée des Traditions in Louviers, Normandy) and worked in the film industry.
From 1995 to 2003 he lived in France and Spain, concentrating on personal sculpture and photography projects. In 2002 he became director and curator of the International Museum of Photography at the Château de Belcastel, France.
In 2004 he moved to New Mexico to begin a long-term project documenting the United States. He currently lives with his wife Claudia Toutain-Dorbec on the Oregon Coast, where they operate the Cannon Beach Hotel.
Personal Life
Pierre Toutain-Dorbec is a French-American citizen. He is married to Claudia Toutain-Dorbec.
Net Worth
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Source Of Income | Painter |
| House | Living in own house. |
As of the most recent available data (December 2023), Pierre Toutain-Dorbec’s net worth is estimated at $5 Million (source: various public analyses).
Facts & Trivia
- Dual French-American nationality
- Author/photographer of more than 60 published books
- Former war correspondent (Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, North Africa)
- Official photographer for King Hassan II of Morocco
- Co-authored books with the Dalai Lama
- Former director/curator of the International Museum of Photography (Belcastel, France)
- Currently resides on the Oregon Coast with his wife Claudia