Interview: Photography from Helene Smith Photography

Helene Smith sells photography in her Etsy shop, Helene Smith Photography. Her photography is of nostalgic, mid-century-style snapshots of Americana.

You have a lot of photos from Chicago and Michigan. Where is your favorite place to visit?

I haven’t been able to travel nearly as much as I would have liked to over the years for various reasons, but I actually really love to take weekend trips to rather small towns and find hidden little gems to shoot.

Your photos have a feeling of nostalgia. How do you get this feeling in your photos? Do you think it is something that comes naturally or is it a look you try to capture?

I have always been drawn to beautiful old things and beautiful odd (old and new) things and even things that are not beautiful, things that are ordinary and overlooked.

My work also looks a bit vintage because I try not to use any (if any at all) filters (effects). I might lighten a shot a little if it’s hard to see, but part of what I am trying to convey is exactly what I see so I don’t want to change it too much and that’s becoming rarer these days. So many photographers want to play with effects. Effects can be alot of fun, but that’s just not me. That’s not what I am trying to convey in my work.

How do you promote your shop?

I have a Facebook Fan page and I also use Twitter and Pinterest, online. Of I’m selling my work at an upcoming event, I will also try to put posters up at local businesses. And I still use email for special events.

Do you ever do craft shows?

Yes, I have done craft shows/art fairs for many years though usually just a few a year – holiday time and maybe a few in summer.

What do you hope for in the future with your shop?

There’s just so much I would like to do. I have so many photos that I’d like to add to my online collection, but it’s just a matter of time (each listing takes a bit of work when it’s new). I’d love to offer additional photo items like photo calendars and maybe some lockets at some point. Eventually maybe photo compilation books as well, specific to Chicago or Grand Rapids. On the other hand, I am a purist and I don’t want to clutter up my shop too much with much more than prints. I used to sell photo cards as well, and might add them back, too.