McDean originally trained and worked as a car mechanic before studying
photography at
Mid Cheshire College (OND) and
Blackpool and The Fylde College of Further & Higher Education (PQE) where he took photography classes before he dropped out and moved to London. McDean began his photographic career in London as a photographer's assistant to photographer Nick Knight. McDean was married to British fashion designer
Tabitha Simmons before they divorced in 2013. They have two sons. ==Books==