Portfolio

Helade

I don’t create to live,

I live to create

Tu logotipo va aquí

This idea stems from showcasing my portfolio as a creator who is not able to separate her person from her work and creations because they are a part of me. I don't know where my personal life begins and my professional life ends; I can't find that line because ever since I dared to imagine it and go for it, I feel like I live to create and at the same time create to live. It's a kind of necessity. And here, in this portfolio where I've decided to combine different arts (a third of emotions, a third of my life, and another part of the visual movies I create), I want to take you to a piece of universe so that I don't get consumed by the grayscale that they want us to believe is everyday life.

If you dare to look inside yourselves and find, at the bottom of your being, that little girl or boy who's hidden there, please take them by the hand and never let go again. You'll be safe.


This woman with a verbal overflow has invented this means to communicate, and I hope, from the bottom of my heart, whether you want to work with me or not, that you enjoy it.


With love,

Elena Helade.


Color is the
new black
new black

Real peolE, real stories

Exploring the authentic narratives woven into the fabric of everyday life, deep into the souls of real people. Each frame is a testament to the raw emotions, unfiltered experiences, and genuine connections that shape their existence. Through my lens, I aim to unveil the intricate layers of human stories, celebrating the beauty found in the unscripted moments of reality.

LUISMI & MIGUEL

I traveled to Alicante, Spain, to meet up with Luismi and Miguel and do this serie. I was really excited to document their love story in these photos. We spent the whole day together, enjoying a typical local rice dish at their place. It was a really nice day, getting lost in the Alicante hills and surrounded by love.

FAMILLY TRAVEL

I traveled to SANTA POLA with my parents and Tobias the dog. It was the first time we brought Tobias to see the sea, and it turned out to be an incredible day that both my dad and I wanted to cherish forever. Being near the ocean rejuvenates us.


GRANNIES ROCKS

I went to visit my mom and met them at one of her friend's houses. They seemed like two women so full of life that I document them on a pool party day. Enjoyment and humor haven’t expiration date.

ABUELITA PACA

A few months ago, I traveled to pick up my grandmother to bring her to Madrid for some medical tests. We spent a few weeks together, traveling, and reminiscing about old memories. My brother is the spitting image of my grandfather. For the past few years, as she can hardly move at 87, I've been sending her books with large print so she can get lost in thousands of adventures without leaving home. She also wanted to act and never had the opportunity, so we did a few sessions with lots of makeup and glitter to turn her into the protagonist she always dreamed of playing. Thank you for these moments, grandma.

THE OCEAN IS NO PLACE

I embarked on a photographic journey with my photographer friend David. The day we spent at Los Lances Beach in Tarifa, picking up plastic litter scattered around the beach that we found throughout the day.

PATRICIA AND FRAN ELOPEMENT

Patricia called me 3 days before her wedding. It was quite an adventure. Being able to witness this intimate moment was a very enriching experience, leaving your heart feeling soft and sweet like cotton candy, capturing all the love you feel for each other up close. Years later, I also photographed their children.

MASSAGE

few years back in Madrid, I met Shawn, and his story and passion for his work as a masseur truly captivated me. We took these photos, and I enjoyed witnessing the complete relaxation and well-being of the models, who happen to be my friends as well. I recall inviting them over for lunch after the session, and we chatted for hours. It's truly lovely to encounter people with whom you can share ideas, thoughts and to make new friends. Sharing what's known as Ikigai across different professions, but with the same passion.

ZAZU HORSES

When I met Zazu, I knew we would fit together perfectly. Before long, I couldn't resist asking her for a session while she was with her horses. She rode them effortlessly, without using anything, with a grace befitting of who she is, a true equestrian and horse tamer.

ESTEPONA AND FRIENDS

Moments of joy and happiness strolling through the streets of this beautiful town in Málaga. For over ten years now, we've been making this trip to the home of my friend Bego's grandparents. These are moments of tranquility, of being with my best friends, of eating delicious food, of picking vegetables in the garden overlooking the sea, and dining with stunning views.


These days in Malaga I also take the opportunity to go with Juan, the old man who has the garden on the land where we are staying, to accompany him and collect the fruits and vegetables that we are going to eat those days. I love to share time with him and learn how to grow and cook dishes with the harvest of those months.


RUNNERS. ANA

On this day, Noe taught us a lot about running postures and techniques. Noe is a police officer and a passionate runner, so we spent a very enjoyable afternoon doing what we love most : they were running, and I was photographing.


You've probably noticed that my friend Ana appears here a lot. And I'm truly grateful to have her as a friend. She's a woman devoted 100% to science, currently finishing her PhD in physics, so one day I came up with the idea of sticking a bunch of planets on her. Additionally, she's a strong advocate for women's rights and as a bisexual person, she's (and I) a great support for the LGBTQ+ community. I learn something new every day with her, and I feel like she's my sister. Space is a passion we both share. When summer arrives, I love preparing some snacks, setting up the projector, and watching series about the universe. It's even better in her company.

KITSUGI SERIE

I started this series at a crucial moment in my acceptance process, towards my body and its imperfections. Starting to love it just as it is. From this feeling, this series (still incomplete) was born, in which I want to continue filling each person's beautiful bodies with golden ink. It was healing for me.

LIFE’S SCARS

This is the first photo of my series 'life's scars', where I compile images of cesarean sections and their stories. Thank you Barbara and Martin for stepping in front of my camera.

FILMS MOMENTS

OLDEN GOLDEN

When I was a little girl, I was given a film camera. As I grew up, it became my livelihood . Here are moments from my days, when I feel again that desire to photograph moments that won't happen again, that are unique.

Black Heart Doodle