rn and raised in Brazil, Iolanda Marquardt began her jorney as a photographer in 1988, joining the Brazilian expedition to Antartica, as a reporter and photojournalist.

After coming to the United States in 1991, Marquardt completed courses in nature photography at Harper College in Chicago. Since 1995, she has lived and worked in Hawaii, where she was able to study under Richard A. Cooke III, author of books and former photographer of National Geographic. In addition, she has studied photographic lighting techniques under the direction of Douglas Merrian in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as B/W infrared photography under the well-known photographer, Kenneth Slute.

Currently, Marquardt travels between the continental U.S. and Brazil on special assignments including photojournalism, nature, stock and documentary photography. In Hawaii, Marquardt continues her nature and B/W infrared photography, and has recently had the opportunity to add portraiture and fine art to her portfolio. She is also wrapping up a personal project "People on the Streets of South Brazil."

Marquardt's work has been published in Brazilian newspapers and calenders within the U.S. She was also the lead photographer for "The Books of Bromeliads" by Ronald Parkhurst that can be seen on her webpage.