Dan Balilty
© Daniel Chechik
About
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.
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.