ABOUT HALPER FINE ART

The mission of Halper Fine Art is to create portraits that are not only an affirmation of the love and bond your family shares, but are also works of fine art photography appropriate to any collection.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The family portrait was once the domain of the most talented and respected painters of their time, and today those images hang in galleries and museums.

With the advent of photography, the photographic portrait evolved to replace the painted portrait, and remained a respected art form for many years. As photography became more common, so did the practitioners, and over the better part of the last century what was once an art form has devolved into the lowered standards that account for an uncommonly high number of families being photographed in white shirts and denim pants.

A Mark Robert Halper original is a photographic portrait that will give you joy and satisfaction to look at, a work of art you can take pride in sharing with your family and friends, and will belong at the center of your home.

Halper Fine Art is a family business. Mark Robert Halper married Jennifer Hunt in 2007, and it was only a few months later that Halper Fine Art was first conceived. Mark Robert Halper explains, "It wasn't until I got married that being a photographer who worked with families seriously entered my mind. I'm sure that it was rooted in the feelings I have for my wife; it is her presence in my life that opened up this door. As a serious photographer, I felt that there was an unfilled need; I'd seen very few family portraits done by other photographers that I would have aesthetically wanted to put on my walls."

Halper continues, "There is a sense of pride and accomplishment in creating something that is so valued by others. We really enjoy the time we spend with our clients, and always feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in what we've created."

ABOUT US

A professional photographer for two decades, Mark Robert Halper has built a successful career in a competitive field by bringing a consistent vision to a diverse clientele that includes national magazines, advertising agencies, and Fortune 500 companies.

Mr. Halper's fine art work has been exhibited at the Arclight Theatres in Hollywood, has shown at the Palm Springs Museum of Art as part of the Palm Springs Photo Festival. He has also been featured on television programs such as Ten Years Younger, Starting Over and Designing Your Life. Mr. Halper has been commissioned to photograph such notable personalities and celebrities as Sumner Redstone, Frank Gehry, Wolfgang Puck, Ben Stein, Tori Spelling, Gene Simmons, Lauren Hutton, Michelle Williams and Mr. T.

Mr. Halper most recently completed a fine art project entitled Sunlight and Water: Celebrating the Winemakers of Santa Barbara County, which is on exhibition in Los Olivos, California, and available as a coffee table book.

Mr. Halper photographed the artists of Santa Barbara County in 2012 for a new book to be published in 2013.

Mr. Halper and Sunlight and Water in the news:
Santa Barbara Magazine
805 Living
The Santa Barbara News-Press
The Santa Barbara Independent
The Montecito Journal
Broughton Quarterly

Jennifer Halper, the "other half" of the Halper Fine Art leadership team, spent seven years on Academy Award winning visual effects teams. You've seen her work in all three Spiderman movies, Superman Returns, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other major motion pictures. Jennifer works largely behind the scenes handling a range of responsibilities. Her contribution is most visible in the seamless work she does to retouch and enhance the way all of our subjects look in their portraits. Jen has spent much of her life traveling. Jen lived in Japan for five years, where she received her MFA, and also spent a year in Soviet Georgia between high school and college. When not working hard into the evening, Jen can be found dancing on ice.

Jessica Buckley, our client coordinator, also assists at most of our photo sessions. Her primary responsibility is to ensure that every client's needs are met and that your experience is absolutely outstanding. In her rare free time she can be found at local music venues photographing bands. Jessica was featured as one of the top seven photographers of the Sunset Strip in 2011. Jessica enjoys spending time with her two rambunctious kittens Lucy Furr-ocious and Cali Co-rageous.

Alison Segura helps to bring in new clients, and is responsible for the promotional work we do with schools and charitable organizations. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Alison has a BFA in Theatre and pursues her career as an actor and story teller. Alison can be found arriving with a smile on her face every morning as she scoots up on her green vintage model Vespa (named Olive) with her matching helmet and brown leather jacket.

THE LOS ANGELES STUDIO

Recently remodeled and located in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, the studio has a photography area large enough to accommodate most families (up to six or seven adults), and a makeup and preparation level with a changing area. The space is professional, comfortable and inviting.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Mr. Halper and his wife travel to Santa Ynez Valley area about nine times each year. Sessions and order appointments are done at their vineyard retreat in Santa Ynez.

We look forward to welcoming you in either area for your portrait session.