Vanessa grew up all over Miami. As a child she decided to become a movie director in order to meet Dolly Parton. She became a photographer in her teens.

Since then, Vanessa graduated from RISD, the Rhode Island School of Design, with a BFA in Photography. She has photographed in over 11 different countries, often concentrating on children's issues.

She currently resides in Chicago where she is completing her MFA at the University of Chicago and working as a freelance photographer... and as always, making something happen.

She did meet Dolly.