HeleneSmithPhoto

Grand Rapids, Michigan

440
 Sales

4.6 (136)

16 years
on Etsy

4.6 (136)

440
 sales

16 years
on Etsy

Contact

Following Follow

440
 Sales

4.6 (136)

16 years
on Etsy

4.6 (136)

440
 sales

16 years
on Etsy

Contact shop owner

440 Sales

1147 Admirers

Report this shop to Etsy

You reported this shop

Etsy automatically translates most text on the site to your preferred language.

See in original language

Announcement

Last updated on Feb 26, 2026

chicago/grand rapids photography, midwest, midcentury, vintage signs, americana and nostalgia-inspired photos, Kiddieland and vintage-inspired carnival, lo-fi still lifes, rockabilly-kissed decor, urban industrial landscapes and city fine art.

ooh; and if you're a vintage fan also see my other shop!:

http://starliteus.etsy.com
Starlite U.S. vintage wares

cool stuff that i did with my photos!

my photo, "Kitten Trouble", was on the set of Netflix's 2021 sitcom, "Pretty Smart"!

(have you bookmarked my shop?)

http://helenesmith.etsy.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*********************************************************

sometimes i do art fairs and/or sell in brick and mortar shops!... to be the first to see my new works or get the skinny on where you can find me live...

follow me on Instagram for daily urban fine art...
@helenesmithphoto

follow me on Facebook!:
https://www.facebook.com/helenesmithphotography

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Proud Member:

Female Photographers of Etsy

Contact shop owner

Helene Smith

Reviews

4.6 (136)

Average item review

We calculate this number using a recency-weighted average of all ratings, with a rating's value decreasing by half each year to best reflect the current experience.

Andrew on Sep 4, 2026

5 out of 5 stars

The seller reached out right away and is VERY kind. The photo is beautiful and captures the spirit of an iconic Chicago diner--a place where I hold many special memories.

Helene responded on Sep 4, 2026

Andrew--so glad to hear that you love the Standee's Coffee Shop photo! and yes, i agree, it's great to have photo memories of wonderful places (i loved it as well!)... so many that are no longer! appreciate the great review! ;)

Standee's Chicago Photo: Vintage Diner Neon Sign Art Print

Standee's Chicago Photo: Vintage Diner Neon Sign Art Print
Brek on Aug 4, 2026

5 out of 5 stars

My first Etsy purchase… • On time • Beautiful photo • Quality print • Packed securely • No surprises • I’m very satisfied • I like it a lot!

Helene responded on Aug 5, 2026

hi Brek! wow; i'm honored! i'm SO happy that you love the photo! thank you so much for the great review and *all* the kind words about my shop (helene smith photography)! ;)

Chicago Photography Print: The Mutiny Dive Bar, Logan Square

Chicago Photography Print: The Mutiny Dive Bar, Logan Square
Mike on Jul 14, 2026

5 out of 5 stars

Awesome photo. Great shot .Thanks!

Helene responded on Jul 17, 2026

Mike--so glad that you are loving the Yum Yum Donuts photo! really appreciate you taking the time to leave the kind review, also! ;)

Yum Yum Donuts Chicago Print: Wrigleyville Black and White Photography

Yum Yum Donuts Chicago Print: Wrigleyville Black and White Photography
Rachel on Dec 20, 2025

5 out of 5 stars

love this photo so much! thank you!!

Helene responded on Dec 23, 2025

oh; so good to hear, Rachel! thank you so much for being a great customer and for your kind review! ;)

Chicago Photography Print: Edgewater Pink Building, Vintage Architecture

Chicago Photography Print: Edgewater Pink Building, Vintage Architecture
Lisa on Sep 28, 2025

5 out of 5 stars

I was very happy with the beautiful high-quality photo. I can’t wait to frame it.

Helene responded on Sep 29, 2025

so glad that you love the Green Mill photo, Lisa! thank you for the very kind review; appreciate it! :)

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Photo: Chicago Jazz Club, Vintage Neon Sign

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Photo: Chicago Jazz Club, Vintage Neon Sign
Markus on Sep 15, 2025

5 out of 5 stars

Great quality, seller is responsive, timely shipping

Helene responded on Sep 29, 2025

thanks, Markus, for your kind and helpful review! :)

valentine's day, love photo, self-love art, love photography, graffiti quote, sidewalk writing, tagging, cement, purple and gray, wall art

valentine's day, love photo, self-love art, love photography, graffiti quote, sidewalk writing, tagging, cement, purple and gray, wall art
Markus on Aug 29, 2025

5 out of 5 stars

As described, it was a perfect addition.

Helene responded on Sep 29, 2025

thanks, Markus, for another kind review. appreciated! :)

night photography, headlights, streetlights, city, rain, rainy night, cars, black, colors, urban landscape, night photo, travel, wall art

night photography, headlights, streetlights, city, rain, rainy night, cars, black, colors, urban landscape, night photo, travel, wall art
Jennifer on Mar 12, 2024

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing seller, fast shipping, and quality picture!

vintage Pepsi sign photo, BOOZE & BAIT, fishing, Illinois Art, red white blue, Americana, arrow sign, mid century, Rock Island, 35mm film

vintage Pepsi sign photo, BOOZE & BAIT, fishing, Illinois Art, red white blue, Americana, arrow sign, mid century, Rock Island, 35mm film
Karen on Feb 24, 2024

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful photograph, very representative of living in a Chicago apartment. Thank you!

flower photography, purple astrids photo, shabby chic, Chicago brick apartments, window, sunny city, garden -"Purple Astrids On the Sill"

flower photography, purple astrids photo, shabby chic, Chicago brick apartments, window, sunny city, garden -"Purple Astrids On the Sill"
Bella on Feb 13, 2024

5 out of 5 stars

Loved it, it also was shipped super quick!

valentine's day, Chicago Photography, "Heart 'O' Chicago Motel", mid-century vintage neon sign photo, Chicago Art, lavender, red, americana

valentine's day, Chicago Photography, "Heart 'O' Chicago Motel", mid-century vintage neon sign photo, Chicago Art, lavender, red, americana

About HeleneSmithPhoto

chicago/grand rapids photo prints: vintage signs, urban

Sales 440

On Etsy since 2009

chicago/grand rapids photo prints: vintage signs, urban

"Purple Astrids on The Sill" Helene Smith Photography copyright 2014
"Nora's Cafe" Helene Smith Photography copyright 2014
"D-J's Lounge" Helene Smith Photography copyright 2014
"Good Day For a Swim" Helene Smith Photography copyright 2014
"Escape With Me", Helene Smith Photography, copyright 2014

nostalgic, mid-century-style snapshots of Americana

i've been told that my photos are like moments or places in time...

but always times past...

a glimpse of a neighbor's tv antenna from the screened-in porch... on a hot summer afternoon during summer break...

the city ice cream truck... with it's fabulous handpainted details (and a very adult-child lined up for bite)!

vintage Chicago with all her architectural and neon beauty... and peeks of vintage Grand Rapids--my Michigan home...

sometimes something very current shows up as well... but almost always with a penchant for an earlier time...

come on in and stay awhile and see if you remember...

and don't be a stranger... come back soon...

as i'm constantly adding new photography.

until i hear a knock on the back door... warm regards!

~ helene

Shop members

helene smith

Photographer, Curator, Shopkeeper

70s child raised in the Mitten State (Michigan). studied art and advertising in college, but discovered photography and passion for it just before graduation. a back-burner poet, enchanted by all things city, gritty, beautiful and ironic.

Production partners

Professional Photographers Print Lab

CA, United States

Professional, high-quality photographers' print lab. Archival, high-quality printing and papers. Allows me to have much control over the final, printed photograph.
Professional Photographers Print Lab

MI, United States

Professional, high-quality photographers' print lab. Very high standards. High-quality, archival printing and papers. Allows me to have much control over the final, printed photograph.