Meet-Up in LA: Blessing of the Animals with Dan Balilty (Hybrid Learning – Two Sessions)

About

Hybrid Learning (In-Person and Online)

Document the rich cultural traditions and heartfelt moments of the Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street as part of LACP’s Meet-Up in LA series. This long-standing Los Angeles tradition brings together pet owners, animals of all kinds, and community members for a joyful and visually engaging celebration rooted in faith and heritage. Photographers will have the opportunity to capture expressive portraits, meaningful interactions, and vibrant details within a historic setting, while exploring narrative, timing, and composition in a lively public environment.

This engaging exploration of Los Angeles is part of LACP’s Meet-Up in LA series of classes, designed for visual storytellers of all levels. Each class includes an in-person photographic experience centered on a distinctive Los Angeles location or a unique LA event, followed by an online Zoom session for critique and reflection on the work created.

Students will develop their photography skills while capturing the eclectic essence of the city—from its neighborhoods and cultural landmarks to its dynamic public gatherings—with a strong focus on narrative and composition. Participants should be familiar with their cameras (digital cameras are strongly encouraged).

This Meet-Up will focus on the Blessing of the Animals event on Olvera Street, DTLA.

Dan Balilty is a photographer and cinematographer born in Jerusalem and based in Los Angeles. He began his professional photography career in 1999 as a photojournalist for a local news agency in Jerusalem. Since then, he has worked internationally as a photographer for The Independent, The Associated Press, and The New York Times, contributing still photography and visual storytelling across news, culture, and long-form projects.

In 2019, Dan worked as a videographer on the Netflix documentary series Immigration Nation, released in 2020. The series went on to receive a Peabody Award, recognizing its impact and excellence in documentary storytelling. Dan’s work increasingly focuses on documentary filmmaking and still reportage, blending cinematic video and photography to tell in-depth human stories. He continues to collaborate on documentary films while producing visual work for major editorial and media platforms.

In 2021, Dan was awarded the OPS Award for Best Feature Photography for his work with The New York Times. His work has also been recognized with honors from Pictures of the Year (POY) and the Siena International Photo Awards, further acknowledging his excellence in visual journalism and long-form storytelling.

In addition to his documentary work, his photography and video have been featured in leading international publications and magazines, including Time, Newsweek, The Guardian, El País, Vanity Fair, Polka Magazine, and other international outlets.

Details

• Two Sessions
• Date: Saturday, April 4, 12 pm – 4 pm (In-Person) + Tuesday, April 7, 6 pm -8 pm (Online)
• Enrollment limit: 10 students
• Skill/Experience Level: Open to all levels
• Tuition: $235 (Become a Member today and receive 5% – 20% off!)
• Location: Chinatown and Online

A details email complete with the Zoom link will be sent to the attendees prior to the start date. If you have additional questions please email info@lacphoto.org.

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