We recently connected with David Halpern and have shared our conversation below.

David, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

From the time I was a teenage high school student in Nashville, Tennessee, in the early 1950s, I’ve known I wanted to do something creative, I just didn’t know whether it would involve my interests in music, painting, drawing, writing or building things, And although my parents were aware of my talents, They encouraged me to follow a path that was, in their opinion, likely to bring me more financial rewards. You might say that the arts weren’t part of their “heritage.” I accommodated their wishes by directing my sights toward a career in advertising and marketing, While I achieved early success in that field and gained experience that would help me transition to activities that ultimately brought great satisfaction, it produced an unhealthy level of stress. Fortunately, I recognized the importance of following my earlier instincts and was able to change the course of my career before any permanent damage was done. I created an entrepreneurial career that was beyond my parents’ imagination. Could I have redirected my life earlier than I did? I don’t think so. I needed the good and bad experiences to help me appreciate my later successes.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In the 197o’s, when I established my own business as a freelance photographer and writer, I realized that my experience in advertising and marketing had prepared me to render services that other photographers didn’t. I was able to assume a role as an advisor and problem solver more than simply a “picture taker.” I asked questions other photographers usually did not, like “How do you expect to use the photographs I make?” and “What are your expectations of benefits to be gained through the use of my work?” It wasn’t unusual to be told that the client wanted to produce a brochure, for example, without having given proper thought to the objectives of such literature. I helped define objectives and developed strategies. My clients appreciated the guidance and continued to rely on it, often for several years. When I retired from commercial practice, some of my first clients were still with me. Of course, my creativity with both pictures and words was essential to my success, but the extra benefit gained from my previous business experience gave me an edge over many competitors.

My work wasn’t all commercial and I was able to develop my skill as a photographic artist. It is noteworthy that my commercial success allowed me to invest simultaneously in the development of a personal portfolio that continues to sustain my place in the art community today.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I don’t believe that society has an inherent responsibility to support artists. On the other hand, I think that individual artists have the responsibility to define themselves in a manner that encourages support. Through their work and the articulation of their points of view, artists have the power to affect social and political behavior. How their creative energy is used can, and often does, influence public perspective and can support or negatively impact society. I don’t believe, however, that the term “creative ecosystem ” is appropriate in this sense. Ecosystems can be respected, sustained, or destroyed. Still, public attitudes toward ecosystems most influence their existence, and the best one can do to ensure that ecosystems thrive is to do as little harm to them as possible. Paving paradise doesn’t guarantee the ecosystem’s survival.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Primarily, I think of myself as a communicator. When I do my work effectively, my ideas influence others and make them care about the things I want them to care about. My photography expresses a concern for the natural environment and that has been essential for more than six decades. I recognize that change is inevitable, but change doesn’t have to be negative. In years to come, I don’t want people to look at my work and wish they could have the environment that used to be. Hopefully, they will see how much magnificence still remains because enough people saw what I did and thought it worth protecting.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://Davidhalpern.com
• Facebook: David Halpern/Photographer

Image Credits
All images by David Halpern