I'm a freelance print journalist, audio producer and photographer, and the Editorial Director of a new multimedia online outlet called Laid Off NYC. I live in Brooklyn, NY and just received my Master's degree in Journalism from New York University. I learned a lot there, through classes in audio reporting, investigative reporting, photojournalism and more. Before I moved to New York, I lived in New Orleans for six years, reporting on music and cultural economy. I'm always interested in telling the stories of people whose voices are rarely heard and exploring the human side of cultural data.

I interned as a staff writer and photographer at Bedford + Bowery, where I reported on housing, immigration, the census and the arts, focusing on how COVID-19 has radically changed the picture for each of these subjects. I still contribute to ANTIGRAVITY Magazine, a New Orleans countercultural alt-monthly where I was an Associate Editor before I moved, and to Tone Glow, a weekly experimental music newsletter. My writing has appeared in Gambit Weekly (where I strung for 18 months as a music columnist), The Fader, FLOOD, The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, OffBeat Magazine, My Spilt Milk and The Iron Lattice.

I'm currently writing a book on teen idol-turned-avant garde legend Scott Walker, and will be promoting it through my "Scottwatchers" newsletter, coming soon.

Please send all tips and pitches to raphaelhelfand@gmail.com.

Social Profile : 

Twitter : https://twitter.com/raphael_helfand

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhelfand/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hamiltonthemixtape/