Hi, I’m Helen Oakes, a visual storyteller, writer and runner.

I’ve spent much of my working life behind a camera, telling stories through images. These days I’m also writing about reinvention, creativity, running, freedom, community and the question I keep coming back to: what comes next?

I’m interested in the parts of life that don’t fit neatly into a job title. Changing direction. Finding meaningful work. Staying creative. Building a life with more freedom in it. Learning to adapt when your body or circumstances change. And continuing to try new things rather than quietly shrinking your world.

Running has become a big part of that for me. I came back to it later in life, discovered trail running, and found not just fitness but friendship, resilience and a whole new community.

Photography and visual storytelling are still a huge part of who I am too. I’m drawn to places, people, atmosphere and the small details that make a story feel real.

Here you’ll find stories about: - Reinvention and meaningful work - Creativity and visual storytelling - Running, community and staying active - Freedom, independence and trying new things - Figuring out what comes next

I don’t have life completely figured out.

I’m much more interested in continuing to build one that feels worth living.