Meet Jori (Jay Charlii) Halpern | Photographer & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jori (Jay Charlii) Halpern and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jori (Jay Charlii), what do you attribute your success to?
I believe that one of the biggest contributors to my success so far has been my ability to connect with people. Before starting my own business, I spent a decade working in the hospitality industry, which taught me many valuable skills, including how to communicate and genuinely connect with people. These skills proved to be immensely valuable when I began working as a full-time photographer, as many of my clients were individuals whom I had connected with through social media, online marketplaces, and even chance meetings in person. 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I first got into photography after being let go from what I thought was my dream job. At that point, I had never taken a photo with any real intention. As a newcomer to the creative scene in New York City, I tried my hand at shooting anything and everything to find out what I liked and didn’t like.

Over time, I began to work with clothing brands, musicians, and artists, which helped me discover my passion for storytelling and historic preservation. This allowed me to be more selective when vetting potential clients and made my cold call process much more effective. Instead of reaching out to anyone and everyone, I began to research people and companies that aligned with the sectors I wanted to work in. This led me to contribute to Quip Music Magazine as a photographer, and eventually cover some of my favorite artists’ shows.

In 2022, with the help of the larger creative community in NYC, I developed a creative community, recorded, and launched a podcast called GEN H$TL. GEN H$TL is an open dialogue style podcast, where we spoke with creatives across a multitude of disciplines to bring more awareness to what millennials and gen z creatives are experiencing in a Post – Covid world, as well as why we as creative are pursuing an “alternative lifestyle”. This was one of my first ventures out of physically taking photos, which really opened me up to the world of endless possibilities that I could pursue.

Working for myself hasn’t been easy, and there have been times when I wasn’t sure how I was going to make ends meet. However, there have also been months where I made more money than I did when working standard 9-5 jobs. As a creative or freelancer, it’s important to continue to believe in yourself and have faith in your work. I also believe that constantly learning new skills and meeting new people has been a significant factor in my success.

Overall I like to say Water Flowers Watch Them Grow, Water Your Soul Watch You Glow!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I feel like every time I answer this question it changes, but these are some places I like to go to right now; Dumbo Waterfront
Timeout Market
Williamsburg Waterfront
JaJaJa Mexican (Vegan Mexican Food)
If its summer Coney Island
Take the Ferry
Long Island City Waterfront

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I reflect on my success, I am overwhelmed by the number of people who have helped and supported me along the way. First and foremost, I cannot express enough how deeply grateful I am for my family’s unwavering love and support.

There are also a number of incredibly talented artists who have continuously encouraged me and helped shape my work into what it is today. I want to specifically thank Princeton Hol, Eric Oliver Jr.,  Indigo General, Pai Shō, Devynn Visionary, Ceddyjay, and Matt Barlette, all of whom have been instrumental in my artistic growth. Additionally, I want to give a special shoutout to Quip Music Magazine, The Groovement, Baked In Bushwick, and Excelsior Cannabis for their unwavering support and for providing me with opportunities to showcase my work.

The list of people who have contributed to my journey could go on and on, but I feel incredibly grateful for their collective contributions. Their guidance and support have truly allowed me to flourish as an artist and become the person I am today.

Website: https://jaycharlii.format.com/personal

Instagram: @jaycharlii