Jean-Marie Albert Bottequin (born 29 April 1941, in Ghent) is a Belgian photographer, photojournalist, photo artist and mime. Early life and early career Jean-Marie Bottequin is the son of Wallonian (French speaking southern part of Belgium) Prof. Dr. Armand Bottequin (professor for philosophy, theatrical science und Romanic languages) and his Flemish wife, nurse and social worker, Odile Maenhout. His father's first marriage produced the sons Jacques and Pierre; the marriage with Odile Maenhout produced Jean-Marie Albert, Guy Antoine and Monique. Following his high school graduation (baccalauréat), in 1957, Bottequin went on to study classical theater at the "Ecole des Hautes Etudes". In 1959, he was accepted to study Romance studies, educational studies und art education at Ghent University; in 1960, he decided to study painting and art education with renowned Belgian artist, Octave Landuyt at the ‘'Normalschool voor plastische Kunsten'’ in Ghent. Since 1962, Bottequin has been working as a free-lance photographer, photo artist, and self-taught artist. In 1968, Bottequin created his first social reportages for Quick magazine, following which he became the personal photographer and reporter with IOS, Investors Overseas Services, Geneva – Munich. In 1970, Bottequin decided to also work as a free-lance photo journalist. From 1972 to 1981, aside from his free-lance commitments, he went on to become a member of the dramaturgy of the Bayerische Staatsschauspiel Munich, and consequently its personal photographer. From 1975 to 1985, he was a lecturer at the ‘'Lehrinstitut für Grafikdesign'‘ (now ‘'Akademie in der Einsteinstraße'‘). Personal life Bottequin's first marriage to fellow Belgian Monique Kesteman produced the children Caroline and Michel. His second marriage to American-Belgian actress, voice talent, translator, book author and poet Marietta Meade produced the children Ezra, Avital and Ayalah. Jean-Marie Bottequin speaks French, Dutch, German and English. Bottequin has been living and working in Munich, Germany since 1968. Scope of work Photo design, portraiture, commercial and industrial photography Theater and stage photography: Bayerisches Staatstheater (Bavarian State Theater), Munich, Germany; Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera), Munich; Bayreuther Festspiele; Württembergisches Staatstheater; Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, Vienna, Austria; Stuttgart Ballet; Hamburg Opera; Burgtheater Wien, Vienna, Austria; etc. Ballet photography: Stuttgart Ballet, Germany; Hamburg State Ballet, Germany; Koninklijk Ballet van Vlaanderen, Belgium. Automotive photography: In 1984 BMW commissioned Bottequin to photograph their celebrated photo series of BMW old timers (for which he won the Award of Excellence in 1988). Photo journalist for leading German magazines and glossies (e.g., Stern, Der Spiegel, Lui,