Who is Jack Halfon?

Jack Halfon Photographer

Although noted for his work as CEO of South African microfinance giant Atlas Finance (Pty) Ltd, Jack Halfon counts photography among his primary passions, finding his inspiration both in well-traveled and remote areas of the globe. An avid photographer for more than three decades, Jack found his métier while a young man on holiday in the United States. Purchasing the cheapest camera he could find, a model by now-defunct manufacturer Yashica, Jack began to document all aspects of his trip in vibrant, thoughtful images. Empowered by his passion and love of photography, Jack Halfon took his talents back in Johannesburg and joined an amateur photography club where quickly learned the techniques and artistry of black and white photography in the field and the darkroom. As his interest within photography continued to evolve, Jack was able to expand his practice with digital photography, which today enables him to show the world and its inhabitants in rich, vivid detail. This new photography field gave Jack the options various photo editing techniques. Whether in color or black and white, Jack’s images of people within their environments reflect an unusually profound understanding of and empathy for his subjects.

As a retrospective on his photographic oeuvre, Jack Halfon published Faces and Places, a 234-page book that covers his work from 1994 through 2011. The hardcover coffee-table book features Jack’s finest photographs from his travels across North America, Africa, Asia, and beyond, with a primary focus on people in some of the poorest and most inhospitable places. A call to action as much as it is a book of fine art, Faces and Places introduces its audience to communities that face desperate poverty, food and water shortages, and an oppressive standard of living that no one should have to endure. For Jack, these photos are more than mere images of the world. Instead, they are meant to tell a powerful and impactful story of the lives of the under-resourced and under-privileged individuals all around the world

To help alleviate these conditions on a local level, Jack Halfon has pledged the proceeds of Faces and Places to Stop Hunger Now South Africa, among other worthy charities. If you are looking to purchase a copy and make an impact on the world, you can purchase your copay here: jackhalfon.com. All proceeds of Faces and Places go towards charity. Remember, we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Make your impact today and begin telling their story. Remember, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.