Julia Dean

I know I’ve said this before on this blog, but it’s worth repeating: If you’re anywhere in Southern California, go to www.juliadean.com, look over the wide selection of courses and the phenomenal instructors, and sign up for a class. What the hell are you waiting for?

First of all, Julia Dean is the coolest person you’ll meet, and a wonderful photographer and teacher on top of that. And she surrounds herself with the best group of people—from the instructors she brings in, to her office staff (shout out to Natalie!), to her volunteers. And come on, she’s on the boardwalk in Venice. Can you beat that?

Plus, the students there are consistently good. Everybody is there to learn, there’s none of that competitve bullshit you get at so many places, and you walk away from classes feeling you’ve made some lifelong friends.

Can you tell I like the place?