Biography

Pierce is a native Californian and self-confessed nature-addict, with one eye always on the ocean.  He was born in the redwood town of Fortuna in northern California, where he spent most of his days outdoors as a child.  As a youth, Pierce discovered his love for photography and began a nomadic adventure across country with his camera. He eventually moved to Santa Barbara to study at Brooks Institute—then regarded as one of the top photography schools in the world. Pierce received formal training in traditional color and black and white darkrooms, as well as historical processes, studying under the direction of photographers such as Paul Liebhardt, Luther Gerlach, Joyce Wilson, and Christopher Broughton. 

He earned his BFA in Portraiture from Brooks in 2004, and set off again to travel, working at commercial shoots across the country. Longing to return to the beach, Pierce moved "home" to Santa Barbara to surf and sail. Long days at sea turned into evenings of solace on the water, with only his camera in hand. Here he found his muse in the mercurial waters of the great Pacific. 

After several months of shooting and experimenting, Pierce produced his first solo exhibition in Santa Barbara. The show was a success, and he won his first major patrons. Soon he began working with designers and galleries throughout Southern California.  His work won several awards, and his collector base expanded from California to New York and Europe.  

Pierce’s recent work is included in numerous online and print publications, including Hidden Hills, Ocean Home,  Curated Kravet,  805 Living Magazine and more.  He is known for his distinctive exhibition of painterly seascapes that demonstrate an uncommon perception of light, atmosphere, and movement.