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 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 in visual effects, you've seen her work in all three Spiderman movies, Superman Returns, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other major motion pictures. In addition to hosting the order appointments, she works 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.

Jessica Buckley, our client coordinator, also assists at most of our photo sessions. Her primary responsibility is to insure that every client's needs are met.

Ashley Burrow is primarily responsible for making sure that your portraits are delivered on time and exceed your expectations. Ashley also assists Jennifer with her preparation of your final portraits, and can be found in the studio on occasion as well.

Bree Ellsworth both assists in the studio and handles Mark's special projects, including his current project photographing Santa Barbara area artists. B

Carissa Caulder helps to bring in new clients, and also is responsible for our charitable giving.

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.