Dan Balilty
© Daniel Chechik
About
Dan Balilty (danbalilty.com) (b. 1979) is a photographer, cinematographer, and music producer 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 as a photographer for Yedioth Ahronoth (2001-2005) a leading Israeli daily newspaper, The Independent (2005-2007), The Associated Press (2007-2017), and The New York Times (2016 – 2022). In 2019, Dan filmed as a Videographer 2 episodes of the six-part documentary Netflix series, “Immigration Nation”, which was released in 2020. Today, Dan splits his time between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv and is a regular contributor to the New York Times. Since 2017, his work has concentrated mainly on daily and political life in Israel and the West Bank and combines both stills and video to tell a visual story. In addition to the publications above, his work has also been featured in publications around the world, including Reuters, Time, Newsweek, The Guardian, Agence France Presse, and Polka Magazine. Recent awards : 2022 | Best feature Photography | Overseas Press Club (OPC) 2022 | Finalist, Picture of the Year, Missouri School of Journalism | University of Missouri – Picture Story: COVID-19 Year 2 2022 | Award of excellence, Picture of the Year, Missouri School of Journalism |University of Missouri – Picture Story: Science and Natural History 2021 | The National Geographic Society’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists
Scheduled to Teach
Gallery
LACP Interviews Dan Balilty
LACP asks Dan Balilty ten questions about their background, career in and beliefs about photography:
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Dan Balilty: I’m A documentary Photographer with a lot of experience in Reportage and Photojournalism, but I always keep working in the Studio to express more fictionary expressions and visual work.
LACP: How long have you been photographing?
DB: I’m Photographing since I was 18, so it’s 25 years.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
DB: I was a military photographer and that is how I got my basic photography training then I learned by myself on the work and still learning.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
DB: At a very early age in my career, I understood that photography is my favorite medium to tell stories and storytelling is my biggest passion.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
DB: No, but I had a few stages in my career when I changed direction in my approach to photography that keep my interest and passion and took me to the next level.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
DB: Definitely, I believe I sacrificed my music career for photography, and a lot of time risked my life but hopefully, this time of my career is behind me.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
DB: The Main benefit in my opinion of being a photographer, explorer, and journalist is that I was traveling and meeting a lot of people, and cultures and developed a deep observation philosophy that field my life.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
DB: Boots on the Ground: Street Photography Basics
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
DB: What I love most about teaching is that I need to learn it all again myself and I love to see students’ minds and photography skills expanding. this is very rewarding for me.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
DB: Remember that whatever you photograph become part of you, and as more authentic you are while you shooting as better your work will be.