My love of photography started when I was 8 years old. My parents bought me a little plastic yellow 110 film camera for Christmas and I became obsessed with capturing images of everything around me.

I'm 100% self-taught; I've haven't had the ability to take a class - not even in high school (all the classes filled up quickly). I've spent the last 7 years actively pursuing photography; always experimenting, researching, shoving a camera in my friend's faces, and lots of trial and error. I'm always deeply immersed in learning and honing my craft because I love it.

I shoot mostly digital photos in black and white; I just like when the color is drained and only emotion is left. I try really hard to get everything “in-camera” but it’s not always possible. It’s a goal I strive for. I don't process a lot of my photos and when I do it’s mostly to adjust contrast, exposure or both. I’m not against lots of processing or Photoshopping (in fact, I’ve seen a lot of beautiful photos like this that take my breath away) but it’s just not my style. I'm more drawn to a documentary style of photography. I like things a little dark, a little gritty, and raw. It’s my darker representation of how things really were at that moment.

XO, Helen (A.K.A. Helldini)

April 2015

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 2020 Muchacho, Cinebar, San Jose, Ca

• 2019 Muchacho, Feral Femme Collective, Manteca, Ca

• 2019 Muchacho, Glass Outhouse Gallery, Twentynine Palms, Ca

• 2014 Wanderlust, Castro Valley, Ca