Paris Helena
he fashion photographer and former model, PARIS HELENA, offers a glimpse into her photography, inspiration and a collection of things prized by her. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PARIS HELENA AND DIANA MANTIS
How did you become a photographer?
I went to a high school with a focus on the Arts. I was enrolled in the Music Academy where we would work on piano and chorus for 2 hours a day. One day, the classrooms underwent construction so the Photography and Multimedia Academy had to share a room with us music kids for a whole month. It was in this month that I “found myself ”. If you asked me to recap what I learned about music in my academy during that month, I wouldn’t be able to tell you, as I was being mesmerized by what was being displayed on the projector the media academy’s half of the room.
By the end of that semester, I made the switch to Photography and Multimedia. I fell in love with all aspects of photography, including being in front of the lens. At 15 years old, I was scouted by Next ModelManagement at an art exhibit. Soon, I was traveling and working as a professional model but the sharing a room with the media academy phenomenon hit me again. I would actually find myself on modeling gigs being more interested in the photographer’s camera, the set gear, and their inspiration boards than the makeup and wardrobe I was to wear.
When did you make the leap from model to full-time photographer, and what differences have you noticed being behind the camera instead?
I graduated high school and decided against immediately going to college. I thought I’d take a gap year to figure things out: whether I wanted to pursue modeling, give this photography thing a go, dabble in making music, or maybe even study PR + Marketing.
Meanwhile, I was still modeling and constantly feeling like there was an untapped area of potential. In an attempt to uplift myself, I revisited photography. I would ask my fellow Next Models to shoot with them on weekends. Weekend shoots became a bi-monthly activity, and after a few months, I built up a nice portfolio for myself.
I showed my work to Mark Seliger, a celebrity photographer for Conde Nast, and he offered me an apprenticeship. I packed my bags and moved to New York three weeks later. Abrupt, sure, but I knew it was what I needed. I spent close to a year as an apprentice for Mark on countless incredible shoots for Elle Magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone, Ray-Ban, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. Once I started to get the bug to shoot my ideas, I knew it was time to go back home, put my head down, and get to work.
Since moving back to LA, I have found my work on newsstands, fashion, and beauty blogs in a show at the Annenberg Space for Photography, Elle Magazine, Teen Vogue, and many more. I love, love, love being behind the camera. I am confident in creating the images I make. My modeling experience helps me direct and understand my models better. As a model I never wanted to hear “give me sexy,” or “No, not that. Try something else,” so I’m glad I can guide models in a way that doesn’t make them feel as insecure as I had felt on numerous shoots. The biggest plus of being behind the camera is finally eating pizza and pasta.
What are the challenges you set for yourself?
To be perfectly honest, figuring out who I am as an artist is quite a challenge in itself. What impacts me changes from day to day, and my perceptions of the world are manifesting in different creative ways, constantly. I’m trying to push myself out of my comfort zone. When I find myself shooting only things full of color, I push myself to shoot more subdued concepts. I am always trying to see how far a line is, so I can cross it.
What have you been working on apart from fashion, and what are you currently working on?
While photography is my job, it’s also my hobby and my tool for relaxation. I’m lucky that I found the thing that makes me the happiest when I was still quite young. It’s all I ever want to do. I would love to put on another gallery show of original work, but I’m always working on moving myself and my art forward – like re-educating myself from mentors like Inez & Vinoodh. I don’t know what that next show will be because I don’t think I’m even close to my potential, and I’m excited to see what that will eventually look like.
What is your current favorite camera/lens, and why?
I’ve been a Canon girl since day one. With respect to lenses, although taboo, I love using a 100mm macro for portraits and a 50mm for beauty.
What inspires you?
My “what” would be makeup and colors, and My “who” would be a combination of Tim Walker, David Bowie, and Irving Penn.
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
I intend on traveling around the world shooting for beauty brands like Sephora, Mac Cosmetics and Revlon. Through my travels and the connections I make, I hope to channel my creativity and my platform into helping others and using the weight of my name to shed light on issues for those who need help.
