helenhophotography

normalcy has been on hiatus these last two months, when my mom took a tumble and broke both wrists and her kneecap. it’s been a long road of caretaking and mental health challenges, leaving my home to move back in taking care of hers while hospitalized, and feeling like i’m never doing enough, in my personal life or career-wise–while seeing her helpless and in pain again. but i’m so grateful for everyone in my life who has supported us, and the friendships i am reminded that i am so thankful for She’s now walking and back home–and i have moved back to brooklyn with spaghetti and live my life again, and ready for hangs and taking photos again with everyone 😈

a few photos of dishes i grew up eating, in a neighborhood i spent my teenage years in for @gothamist !! such a fun day with writers @farideh and @cathyerway slurping noodles and roaming the east village, one of the best neighborhoods in the city.

A few outtakes from a recent piece for the Fall edition of @ediblejersey with my wordsmith pal @thevoyagesoftimvetter visiting @momo.cottage, a Nepalese restaurant and deli hybrid in Jersey City.

watching apple cider being hand churned at @johnsonvillefarmandgarden on a Lehigh Valley autumn adventure with friend and talented writer @thevoyagesoftimvetter

Tea time with @soaksshop ! Photographed Soak’s creators Kevin and Athena at their home with a few of their cute Swedish dishcloths, that are as practical as they are fun for the home 🥰

Portraits of Deanna harvesting the herbs she grew at her garden for @amo.dici 💛🌻🌱

Spending time with Jersey based brand @amo.dici to see the care and labor involved in the process of making her botanicals, skincare, and spices/ingredients!! Got to see the farm where Amodici’s owner Deanna grows Tulsi for products like her tulsi rose oil, and had tea time at her home with her tumeric pâté in a latte!! You can truly taste and experience the love and thoughtfulness behind her work, born from years of cultural and culinary exploration from Deanna 💛🌼

A few months back, I spent some time with @vikkitobak and the @amnh president, Sean Decatur for @gothamist / @wnyc days before the opening of Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry. This exhibit chronicles the history and evolution of jewelry culture in hip hop–discussed in Vikki’s book of the same name, with iconic pieces throughout the exhibit!! 💎

Sofia in @kelocabay’s naturally dyed clothing using organic plants and flowers from her garden 🩵💛 so filled with gratitude for everyone’s trust and amalgamation of unique skillsets that made this all come together!! talent: @sofiaricord talent/forehead kisser/studio: @callaghannn stylist/designer: @kelocabay

Some in-between moments of the @mermaidparade shot for Gothamist last month! Looking forward to a summer of weirdness in the city 😵‍💫💕 Thank you for the call @veronicadesouza 🥰🥰

@kelocabay in her studio! 💙 Kelly grows her own plants at home in order to naturally dye textiles and garments in a sustainable and mindful way-even her hair is dyed from her home grown indigo 🌀🩵

Taken at this year’s People’s Ball at the @bklynlibrary for @gothamist in May Major thank you to @scottheins for the connection, and resulting night of positivity and fun! 🥰