An editorial and fine art photographer, Desirée Pfeiffer creates visual narratives with hidden undertones, as if permitting the viewer to imagine a greater scenario beyond the image itself. Voyeuristic with a playful edge, Pfeiffer’s photography is multifaceted in composition, evocation, and point of view. Whether her subjects are people or still-lifes, their actions, surroundings, and compositions are intentional catalysts for the viewer’s emotional response. Many of her photographs embody introspection, the moments believed to be unseen and private. Capturing this intimacy brings out the true essence of people and provides insight into the lives we keep hidden. Constantly evolving her practice, she lives and works in San Francisco, California.
Awards / Honors
2021
International Photography Awards (IPA). First Place Winner - Fine Art Still Life Category, and Three Honorable Mentions ( Fine Art Still Life Category).
2017
International Photography Awards (IPA). Three Honorable Mentions (Portrait and Advertising: Fashion Categories).
2015
International Photography Awards (IPA). Nine Honorable Mentions (Fine Art and Portrait Categories).
2014
PDN. Winner - Faces Portrait Competition (Personal category).
2013
International Photography Awards (IPA). 3rd place - Portrait Category. Eight Honorable Mentions (Fine Art, Editorial, and Portrait Categories).
2012
International Photography Awards (IPA). Six Honorable Mentions (Portrait and Fine Art Categories).
2011
International Photography Awards (IPA) Honorable Mention in People (Other Category).
Prix De La Photographie Paris (PX3). Five Official Selections.
One Life Photography (PDN/ Artist Wanted). Finalist.
Exposure 2011 (Artist Wanted). Finalist.
PDN. Weekly Editors Pick (Emerging Photographer).
2009
Prix De La Photographie Paris (PX3). Honorable Mention.
2008
International Photography Awards (IPA). Four Honorable Mentions (Editorial - Photo Essay, Editorial- Political, Editorial - Other, and People - Portrait).
Solo Exhibitions
2008
Portraiture & Peers: 50th Anniversary of the Life Peerages Act of 1958. Royal Gallery, Palace of Westminster, London, England (Commissioned by the House of Lords’ Works of Art Committee).
Group Exhibitions
2021
Bold: SFWA, San Francisco, California (Juror: Christine Koppes).
Open Call: PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont (Juror: Sandrine Hermand-Grisel).
2019
Brooklyn Collective: Brooklyn, New York.
2018
Mediterrane Blumen: SOON Galerie, Berne, Switzerland. (Curator: Thom Pfister).
2015
Women in Parliament: Portcullis House, London, England.
2014
A Comfortable Man. Wilton's Music Hall, London, England.
Figures / Contexts. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont (Juror: Cig Harvey).
2013
Stories, Memories, and Histories. Center For Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado (Juror: Regina Azenberger).
2012
Portrait Salon. London, England (Jurors: Karen Newman, Hat Margolies, and Dan Burn-Forti).
Personal Portraits. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont (Juror: Frank H. Goodyear 111, Associate Curator of Photography, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.).
2011
Portrait Salon. London, England (Jurors: Miranda Gavin, Carole Evans, and James O. Jenkins).
Home. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont (Juror: Julie Blackmon).
2010
Uncommon Portraits. PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury Vermont (Juror: Cig Harvey).
2009
Portrait. Center For Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Colorado (Juror: Mary Ellen Mark).
Art of Photography Show. Lyceum Theater Gallery, San Diego, California (Juror: Charlotte Cotton, Curator and Head of Photography Department, Los Angeles County Museum of Art).
2008
Photographic Portrait Prize. National Portrait Gallery, London, England.
2006
Photographic Portrait Prize. National Portrait Gallery, London, England.
