“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”

- Robert Frank

adaptive documentary photography - portraits, events, and travel shots in digital and film

A woman with long dark hair and light skin wearing a brown top and a pendant necklace, standing in front of a dark background with a gold ornate frame or decoration on the right side.
A green hillside with patches of grass in the foreground, and a snow-capped mountaintop in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman dressed in traditional red and black attire looking into a mirror with lights, holding a makeup palette, with her reflection visible in the mirror.

  • Mothers' Call for Vital Voices

  • The Embassy of India in Rome, Italy

  • Author Elie Massicolli in Elle Magazine

Group of women holding a green banner during a protest or demonstration on a city street with buildings and flags in the background.
A man in a suit and tie wearing glasses looks upward in a crowded indoor setting, possibly a conference or event.
Close-up of a young man's face with brown hair and hazel eyes, outdoors with blurred green trees in the background.
Black and white image of a woman in a yoga pose, with her head bent back, and her face turned to the side, against a dark background.
A woman wearing a beige dress, cream blazer, pearl necklace, and cream ankle boots standing against a stone barrier with autumn leaves in the background.
A female DJ with curly hair is performing, wearing headphones and operating DJ equipment in a dark setting, with a focused expression.
Close-up of green leaves on a branch in a forest setting with sunlight filtering through the background.
A woman in athletic clothing, wearing a sports watch, standing outdoors with trees in the background, looking to her right.
View of Rome, Italy cityscape with historic buildings and domes, mountains in the background, and a rooftop terrace with decorative balustrades in the foreground.
A woman holding a young child, while a man leans in to kiss the child on the cheek. They are outdoors near a railing, with trees in the background.
A crowd of people gathered outdoors during sunset, with a religious procession featuring a large ornate religious painting on a religious float, decorated with flowers, against a backdrop of trees and a clear sky.
A man sitting alone on a park bench at night, with trees in the background, illuminated by a light source.
View of industrial smokestacks emitting smoke, seen from inside a car on a highway.
A black and white close-up photo of a woman with eyes closed, smiling slightly, holding her hair back with one hand, wearing a necklace and earrings, with trees and houses in the blurred background.
A diverse group of women marching in a protest or rally on a city street, holding flags and signs.
Black and white side profile of a woman with braided hair, looking to the right, with a dark background.
Glass of sparkling wine or champagne on a tiled corner with sunlight casting a shadow.
A hand holding a wine glass filled with a clear beverage, with blurred lights in the background.
A mountain landscape with steep rocky cliffs, green grassy slopes, dense pine forests, and a turquoise lake at the base, under a partly cloudy sky.
Black and white portrait of a young woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a sleeveless top and a necklace, looking directly at the camera.
A man and woman stand close together outdoors, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes. The man wears a brown suit and the woman wears a vintage floral dress with red shoes. They are in front of trees, a stone wall, and an old monument or building
A man with gray hair and a beard, holding a sleeping baby close to his chest, with their faces touching in an intimate moment.
A woman dressed in traditional Indian attire performing a dance on stage in front of Indian flags.
Women of diverse backgrounds are gathered outdoors, smiling and engaging in conversation, with one woman touching her chin as another holds hands in a handshake, in a candid black-and-white photo.
View of apartment buildings with balconies and plants, clotheslines, and a mountain in the background.
A black-and-white photo of a woman with straight hair and a septum piercing, leaning her head against a textured wall, looking softly at the camera with a slight smile.
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The Elle Quebec logo with the large letters E and LLE, and the word QUEBEC below in smaller font.
A woman sitting at a table with a laptop, notebooks, and a cup of coffee, possibly studying or working in a cozy cafe.
Magazine cover featuring the word "IO" with the subtitle "Donna" and "Il femminile del Corriere della Sera".
HuffPost logo with bold black text and teal accent
Logo with the words 'TPI NEWS' in red and black circles.
Logo of Toronto Star with white text on blue background.
  • A young woman with long, wavy brown hair sitting on a stone bench outdoors with a blurred background of a grassy yard and buildings.

    Sarah

    "Working with Mary Helen for my graduation photos was a joy. She’s a brilliant photographer, and her bright, contagious energy permeated the entire shoot. She is incredibly creative and collaborative, making sure to listen to my ideas while also bringing her own vision. I felt completely comfortable, resulting in the most genuine smiles and laughter captured on camera. Mary Helen's incredible skill and vibrant personality make her the perfect choice for anyone looking for a photographer they can  trust."

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors in a wooded area.

    Nalifa

    "She has this ability to make you feel instantly at ease—with yourself and with her. When I asked her to direct me on poses, she said, "Just be you." She gently showed me these hand movements—subtle, simple, but still me. That's how my LinkedIn profile picture came to be. My dream is to go on a photo walk with her."

  • A woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and gold heart-shaped earrings standing next to a colorful, graffiti-style mural on a wall.

    Elie

    "Mary Helen took wonderful headshots of me in my beloved Pigneto, a neighborhood in Rome. I’ve used them to promote my latest book and in various international magazines. She was professional and such fun to work with. I highly recommend her services!"

  • Two women in graduation caps and gowns blowing colorful confetti from their hands during graduation celebration.

    Su Su

    "Mary Helen is such a professional and talented photographer! She did my undergrad graduation photoshoot, and I absolutely love her photos. I’m camera shy, but she made me feel completely comfortable in front of the camera and guided me through the whole session."

  • A woman with dark hair, wearing a white blouse and plaid skirt, enjoying a glass of red wine and smiling inside a well-lit room.

    Adriana

    "I've known Mary Helen for years and always admired her work. I asked her for a shoot - I really needed a new LinkedIn pic! But she did more than that: we walked around Rome, took some staged pics, but also spontaneous ones. They were perfect, honestly flawless technique and lighting."

  • A young woman with dark hair and a nose piercing leaning against a black and white striped wall at night in an urban setting.

    Segen

    "I had the pleasure of doing a shoot with Mary Helen. We walked around Rome and took pictures in the evening and had a drink after. She is a professional and personable photographer. She also made it a fun and chill environment as it can be awkward to take photos at times. I highly recommend!"

  • Desirae

    "I had such a great experience working with Mary Helen. She was incredibly friendly and easy to work with, which instantly made me feel comfortable in front of the camera. Her relaxed approach turned the whole shoot into a really fun experience, and the photos came out beautifully. I'd highly recommend her to anyone looking for both professionalism and a great atmosphere during their shoot!"

  • A woman with a shaved head taking a selfie against a weathered, peeling wall with beige and brown tones.

    Naomi

    "I absolutely loved the pics I received from Mary Helen. I was a tad bit apprehensive because I hadn't taken photos in a while and felt a little awkward, but she made me feel at ease. It was so organic, and she was sweet and patient. I can’t wait to hire her for my next shoot."

  • A woman with long, wavy red hair sitting on a stone ledge in an outdoor setting during evening time. She is wearing a green tank top and a long white skirt, with brown boots. In the background, there are people dining at tables under string lights in a lively, outdoor restaurant or cafe.

    Chloe

    "I absolutely loved my session with Mary Helen!!! She made everything feel so natural and comfortable- whether I was just sitting or walking around, she somehow turned those regular actions into stunning photos. She offered me different options for the types of shots and locations I wanted, and she truly brought my vision to life. The turnaround time was quick and seamless, and I was beyond impressed with how beautifully the photos turned out!"

  • A young man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and small hoop earrings wearing a blue shirt, smiling outdoors with colorful abstract backgrounds.

    Aiden

    "Mary Helen made taking headshots feel easy breezy and I love the results! Working with her was fun and felt natural. And now I have professional headshots that feel reflective of who I am and captured in the highest quality."

  • Close-up of a person's hand holding a cup of coffee or cappuccino with a saucer, placed on a white tablecloth. Two similar cups and saucers are also visible on the table.

    Selene

    "Mary Helen was very professional and accommodating during our photo session. She made us feel super comfortable, and she edited photos in a timely manner (even before the delivery date we agreed on). The photos turned out beautiful, and we can’t wait to work with her again."

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