Gioconda Rizzo (1897-2004) was born in São Paulo in 1897, a daughter of the photographer Michael Rizzo. She learned the art of photography from her father. At a very young age she set up her own studio, ‘Photo Femina’, where she photographed women and children. She was a pioneer in producing photo-jewelry using porcelain and enamel. Gioconda Rizzo is hailed as the first professional woman photographer in São Paulo.