David Halpern was born in 1936 in Nashville, Tennessee. He received a B.A. Degree from Vanderbilt University in 1958 and until 1972, he pursued a career in advertising, marketing and public relations. In 1973 he embarked on a new career, becoming a photographer, teacher of photography and author. He has exhibited his images in museums and galleries throughout the U.S. and served thirteen times as a National Parks artist-in-residence since 1984.