Marissa first discovered her passion for art while institutionalized, suffering from mental illness. She quickly encouraged fellow patients to help her create a collage of their art to cover every inch of her cell walls. Upon her return to civilization she spent hours on hours learning about and creating art. Frequently in trouble for skipping class, you could always find her in the art room. Marissa turned to photojournalism as a way to cope with PTSD, a condition which causes memory problems. Her family and friends noticed her natural talent for capturing beautiful images and encouraged her to pursue a career in photography. Fast forward to 2020, Marissa is starting her freshman year in college at Miami International University of Art and Design. She hopes to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Photography.
