ABOUT ME

Hello, and thank you for visiting my website!

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My name is KJ Halpern, and I’m a photographer and cinematographer based in New York City.

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Photography was my first passion. As a child, I would steal my father’s Nikon camera, taking as many photos as I could before he noticed. As I grew older, I never grew out of photography. I continued practicing, experimenting, and studying the art of aesthetics, composition, and visual storytelling. In 2018, I founded my own photography business, which gave me the opportunity to collaborate with artists, brands, and individuals to bring creative ideas to life through imagery.

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I attended Emerson College, where I earned my B.A. in Video Media Arts with a minor in Deaf Studies. I also completed the selective Summer Film Program at FAMU in Prague, Czechia. FAMU (The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague) is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film schools.

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Over the years, I’ve explored many roles within filmmaking, including directing, cinematography, intimacy coordination, gaffing, assistant camera work, script editing, and color grading. I love every part of the craft, but cinematography is my true calling. I’m drawn to the full arc of cinematography, from early planning and shotlisting to capturing the final image. I believe that intentional preparation through storyboards, lighting design, and thoughtful visual strategy is just as important as the shot itself.

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 My visual style is inspired by Italian Baroque and Renaissance art. I’m drawn to frames within frames, wide lenses, leading lines, and extreme close-ups that emphasize texture and detail. Some of the cinematographers who inspire me most include Lol Crawley and Linus Sandgren. While I enjoy all forms of visual storytelling, I’m especially inspired by psychological thrillers, dramas, and period pieces. ​​​​​

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Filmmaking is my expression, my therapy, and my greatest joy.

Let’s create something great together!