Dotan Saguy: From SMC to World-Renowned Photographer
For many artists, photographers, creative writing and journalism students, the idea of being published can often seem like a childhood fantasy. However, when hearing about the progression of Dotan Saguy, students eyes are often opened to the myriad of possibilities available to anyone who’s willing to put in the work. Saguy took a project for The Corsair newspaper and turned it into a publishing deal and professional photography career.
Being born in a small kibbutz, five miles south of the Lebanese border, and growing up in a small village outside of Paris, Saguy attended computer engineering school in France before traveling to the US and living in New York. He then moved to California, where he founded - and eventually sold - a small e-commerce company. Looking back at Saguy’s journey, his story is a testament to how many paths one might have to travel before eventually finding their true calling.
After selling his company and taking some time to be with his family, he decided to pursue photography professionally. Feeling that he needed more training, Saguy decided to attend Santa Monica College (SMC) and to involve himself with the journalism program. It was at SMC where Saguy began a project documenting the locals of Venice, CA., that would eventually become a published book called “Venice Beach - The Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise."
"The whole photojournalism thing really helped me see things from a different angle," said Saguy. "It made me see Venice Beach as a culture to document, as opposed to a series of single photos that I was taking, so it really changed how I viewed my project."
After finishing his time at SMC, Saguy attended Photolucida, a non-profit organization that “provides platforms to expand, inspire, educate and connect the photography community,” according to the website. Every other April, Photolucida hosts an industry-affiliated "Portfolio Review Festival."
It was here at the Photolucida festival where Saguy was able to connect with the German Publishing company Kehrer Verlag, who would publish Saguy's first book.
Since having his first book published, Saguy has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, The Guardian, and The Los Angeles Times. In addition to shooting and working on his new book, Saguy has lectured at schools, done some educational videos, and currently hosts street photography workshops for both Momenta and Leica Akademie.
Saguy's upcoming book, “Nowhere to go but Everywhere," follows the life and challenges of a modern-day nomadic family who lives and tours the world in a mini-schoolbus. The book will be published by Kehrer Verlag once again, and is set to be released in early Spring of 2020.
Santa Monica College will be hosting a lecture by Saguy entitled, "From Street Photographer to Photojournalist" on the main campus in Stromberg Hall (HSS 165) this coming Tuesday, October 29, at 11:15 AM.