Palm Springs Photo: Melissa Pierschbacher

I was born in Fortaleza, Brazil, where I lived until the age of 20. My Australian father not knowing how to stay in one place for very long, brought mother and I to Palm Springs for a couple of years during my childhood. Even though we all went back to Brazil in 1984, I just knew that my future would be in the United States.

By age 22, I had 2 daughters, was living in Atlanta, and was very frustrated because I had no idea who I was meant to become. I decided to enroll in interior design school. In one class, I had to go out and photograph architectural details for an assignment. I had so much more fun doing that than being stuck at the drafting table. Soon after, I switched majors and got a bachelor’s degree in photographic imaging. My former instructor, and now friend Phillip Bekker taught me all I know about lighting. 

On my first visit to Washington D.C. I went to an exhibition of Steven Spielberg’s art collection of Norman Rockwell. That was when I knew what kind of photography I wanted to specialize in. I wanted to become a story teller like he was. So, with a very small budget of my own money, in an unfinished basement I created this world of situations that could have happened in the past, and some characters who exist because I brought them to life. 
My biggest inspiration for each of these images had to be a single object in them. Whether being at an antique store or browsing on ebay, I would come across something that would trigger an image in my mind. All of the models were volunteers that not only were perfect for the characters, but each believed in my vision. 

Now 30 years since my departure from Palm Springs, I came back to get reviewed at the Palm Springs Photo Festival, and how amazing, and surprising it was to get chosen as having the best portfolio. I hope that this will be the beginning of a great career in photography, and like my former instructor would say, ” If this mom of two teens can do it, then everyone should be trying.”