Dana Boulos is Stacked
A peek at the personal library of the Los Angeles based Director, Photographer and DJ
Hiiii, I hope you’ll share in my excitement today as we kick off a new recurring series around here. In it, I introduce you to a creative I look up to. Together we get a peek into the stacks of books, magazines, print material and images that shape their work and point of view. The questions are short, the stacks are long. Enjoy! And be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future sends.
I came to know our first guest, Dana Boulos by her photographs. Soon after, I discovered her podcast, TALK. I loved her voice and the interesting guests she gave space to—a poet, a costume designer, a magazine editor, etc. We’ve since been lucky to cross paths working on a campaign job. Dana always has her hands full with creative projects and as you’ll see across her many stacks, she holds the highest appreciation for art of all kinds. She’s naturally the coolest!!! Let’s hear from Dana!
I’m Dana Boulos. I work as a Film Director, Photographer, and DJ in Los Angeles.
Every day looks different depending on what I'm working on, but my mornings always start the same—a walk with my dog, then home to make a matcha before diving into a creative call or a client meeting.
J: Do libraries, books, or research have any role in your process or projects?
D: Books have always been a constant in my life. As a child, they were my escape—guiding me into adventures and unfamiliar worlds. Over time, I’ve built a personal library in my dining room, overflowing with biographies, novels, poetry, photography, and art books.
“
It’s more than just a collection; it’s my source of inspiration for projects I’m developing or working on. “
No matter where I travel, I seek out books, inevitably bringing home more than I intended—an ongoing dilemma. Now, every corner of my apartment is lined with stacks of books, each one holding a story waiting to be revisited.
Are there any essential books that have shaped or informed your work?
I love photobooks where women are at the center—whether through photography or writing. Books that offer a woman's perspective with a diary-like intimacy. I’m also drawn to books on subcultures, whether it’s the early punk era of Los Angeles, the golden age of 1960s Arab cinema, or the early 2000s in Japan.
What is your favorite bookstore in the world?
Ginza Tsutaya Books in Tokyo & Anti-public library in Paris.
A book you return to again and again and can always find inspiration from?
Teenage by Joseph Szabo is one I always return to—no matter what I’m working on, it never fails to feel fresh and inspiring.
What sorts of things attract you in a reference image?
When it comes to imagery, I’m always drawn to lighting, color, texture, shape, and body language, but most importantly, I look for a sense of ambiguity.
Read or watch anything interesting lately? Tell me about it.
I recently picked up a Louise Carmen notebook holder, and I think you’d love it. I’ve become completely obsessed—it holds my daily journal and the novel I’m currently reading—The Vegetarian by Han Kang, a haunting story about a woman’s quiet rebellion that spirals into something unsettling. It’s been a fascinating read so far.
My reading list for the year is already overwhelming, but I’m excited to start with this one. As for what I’ve been watching, I’ve been diving into old Japanese and Italian horror films for something I’m working on ;-)
Pick any book from a stack nearest you. What does the last line say?
“I’ve always wanted to do a lot of things but somebody said to me pretty soon Sofia you’re going to have to pick one thing”
— Sofia Coppola: Interviews by Amy N. Monaghan
You can stay in touch with Dana on Instagram here and view more of her work here. Thank you so much to Dana for her open spirit and thank you for reading! Stick around for part two with even more images from Dana.
More soon,
Jennifer