Photography By Helen

www.ArtPal.com/hpappas775

My name is Helen Irene Pappas and I’m a photographer

I was first diagnosed with autism at the age of 5. While living in Pueblo Colorado, I had found it hard to make friends, communicate and interpret the facial expressions of other people. I felt both confused and lonely. I always knew I loved art however. Drawing always helped me to express myself. While touring the art museums, I would always gaze upon the historic paintings such as those of George Washington, and the Navajo and Cherokee Tribes. The scenery in the backgrounds made me feel like I was a part of those paintings. My life changed after moving to North Haven Connecticut. I have made several friends, one with who I’m very close to. She has taught me there is more to life than what other people think there are. A lot of people tend to look past the obstacles they see in everyday life. They never once stop to listen what life has to offer. Its because of this meaning that has changed my perspective on how I view myself. I had taken several art classes during middle school and high school, only to find myself feeling frustrated with how each of my pieces turned out. I would look upon the work of the other students, and feel bad afterwards that my pieces weren’t as good as theirs. It wasn’t until I enrolled in the Hamden Transition Academy that I started to practice photography. One of the art instructors saw I had more talent than I was giving myself credit for. I still remember when she said to me “You truly have an eye for photography.” She was right. I was reading though our local newspaper one afternoon and noticed an add for a photography club. At first, I only went to visit. I was really impressed however with the information skills and photos each member of the club had brought and shared. I immediately joined and am now pursuing several creative options in photography such as portraits landscapes and animals. Several of my photographs, including one I took of a friends dog had won an honorable mention at this past summers New England Camera Club Conference at Amherst Massachusetts. I hope to make a difference in the lives of others and hope to inspire each person I see with my work.