Susan Pittard Photography

Aaron Sanchez – Mi Fiesta Perfecta

Susan Pittard — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 16:57:54 +0000

I recently shot Aaron Sanchez in the Food Network kitchens for Cosmo for Latinas. Aaron was a lot of fun to work with. He’s high energy and quite a jokester. Aaron brought his uncle along to the shoot so it was fun to witness the banter between family. We shared some good laughs and his food was delicious!

The Perfect Crab Boil

Susan Pittard — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:49:08 +0000

My crab boil/beach picnic just came out in the July/August issue Serendipity Magazine.

I have to give a big shout out to my great friends who helped me put this picnic together. More times than not a successful shoot is made up of all the harmonious team work that goes into it. THANK YOU to Gayle, Jennifer, Marie, Neilson, Jason and Clay!

Good Company Magazine

Susan Pittard — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:38:39 +0000

It is so exciting to watch a new venture unfold and take flight. I was fortunate to be a part of this new magazine, Good Company, created by my friends, Bobbi Lin and Debi Kogan. I think their manifesto describes what the magazine is all about best, “When PEOPLE come first, memorable meals happen. The right TOOLS turn a chore into an art. Recipes with seasonal INGREDIENTS that work.” You can peruse the Issue One Winter online or order a hard copy on their website, www.goodcompanymagazine.com.

hand delivered by Bobbi Lin

my page! photo, recipe & article

LAPLAND – Josh Mease’s new project

Susan Pittard — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:38:50 +0000

Josh Mease will be releasing a self-titled album under the new moniker, LAPLAND in early 2013. Look out for it! He’s a genius.

Here are some outtakes from our photo shoot at Fort Tilden. Double exposure was in the air…

Book Cover – Chosen At Nightfall

Susan Pittard — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:52:57 +0000

I’m excited to say that a photo of mine (or a portion rather), with one of my favorite muses, Cierah, is gracing the cover of Chosen At Nightfall. How appropriate for the first signs of Autumn. This book is the fifth and final installment of the popular Shadows Falls series by writer C.C. Hunter. It will be on bookshelves April 2013!

Here is the cover outtake as well as some of my favorites from my shoot with Cierah:

Book Cover Select

Can You Do This?!

Susan Pittard — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:49:45 +0000

I can’t either but the ladies at the BarreAmped studios in Franklin & Nashville sure can. My friend Suzanne Bowen is the creator of BarreAmped. On a recent work trip to Nashville I was able to fit in a class and let me tell you, it is a challenging yet rewarding workout. BarreAmped is a “precision-oriented technique that focuses mainly on small, isolated movements within deeply held and challenging postures”. You don’t have to be down in Tennessee to try a workout with Suzanne though. I have her DVD, Gorgeous Core which you can purchase on her site. I do it as often as possible in hopes of having a bod like these ladies. Thanks for the motivation SB +!

Suzanne Bowen creator of BarreAmped

Jess

Amy

Megan

Sweden

The “Farmily” at Allenbrooke Farms

Susan Pittard — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:31:53 +0000

I am fortunate to have a job in which I get to meet a variety of unique people doing interesting things on a daily basis. Most recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Stephanie and Daniel Allen at their 120 acre Allenbrooke Farms. Spring was in full tilt and there was a ton beautiful produce being harvested, not to mention the newborn chicks and kittens running around.

The “farmily”, as Stephanie has coined their farm home includes; Stephanie and Daniel, their potbelly pig, Maybelline + her parents, a couple cats, 2 new litters of kittens, 4 dogs, 3 or 4 types of chickens, a rooster and a hen with her new baby chicks. Stephanie and Daniel put a ton of hard work and love into their farm. (Speaking of love, did I mention that they were high school sweethearts?) The Allens grow a variety of certified naturally grown vegetables, fruits and herbs; they have chickens that lay eggs as well as a breed that are raised solely for cooking. It was impressive to learn that they also make their own kombucha and kefir water. I got to try a glass of their pineapple kefir water. It was refreshingly effervescent and delicious. So good in fact that I think I must learn how to make it!

If you live in the Nashville area, Stephanie and Daniel offer a CSA (sign up for next year!). Their produce is certified naturally grown which is the grassroots alternative to “organic” for small farms. They sell at the Franklin farmer’s market during the summer months so get yourself there soon! Please visit their website to learn more about Stephanie and Daniel + the farm.

Stephanie & Daniel - Stephanie w/Maybelline ©Susan Pittard

Daniel with a newborn kitten ©Susan Pittard

Daniel & Stephanie Allen ©Susan Pittard

©Susan Pittard

Feeding time ©Susan Pittard

watering the seedlings in the greenhouse ©Susan Pittard

Maybelline's mama and papa ©Susan Pittard

fresh picked vegetables - pineapple kefir water ©Susan Pittard

©Susan Pittard

Off to the Races…

Susan Pittard — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:48:36 +0000

In honor of the Kentucky Derby and the Virginia Gold Cup races this weekend I wanted to share some images from last year’s VA Gold Cup. The Virginia Gold Cup is a series of steeplecase horse races that take place the first Saturday in May (same as the Derby). Growing up in Virginia it was a family tradition that I looked forward to every Spring.

My parents would pack up a picnic of fried chicken, deviled eggs, potato salad and iced tea then we would head out to The Plains to tailgate with friends. I loved everything about the Gold Cup; the tailgating, the beautiful horses, the colorful jockey uniforms, and just being out in horse country on a great expanse of green lawn. The course was made up of rolling hills dotted with shrubbery covered jumps some even had the challenge of a small pool of water. We would be giddy to bet a dollar on our favorite horse to win the final race. ”Favorite horse” meaning the one with the most interesting name like “Midnight Magic” or “Sundancer Melody” OR the jockey with the jazziest jersey, of course.

©Susan Pittard

Ahhh memories… Have a happy May! And may the fastest horse win.

Juicing citrus = a glass of sunshine…

Susan Pittard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:44:35 +0000

Juicing with citrus, especially with oranges is like drinking sunshine. I found this to be an amazing way to start my mornings during the winter months of February and March. It is heaven to get your vitamin C from freshly squeezed, oranges (preferably organic) first thing in the morning. (Be sure to drink your fresh oj first thing in the am so you can burn off the calories from the natural sugars throughout the day.)

*One eight ounce glass of freshly squeezed oj has 125 mg of vitamin C. That’s enough for your daily dose!

Some facts to know about vitamin C:

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient that is vital to all creatures. Foods that are especially rich in vitamin C are parsley, broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens and brussels sprouts.

It plays an important part in collagen production. Vitamin C is useful in healing wounds of all types. From cuts and broken bones to burns and recovery from surgical wounds, vitamin C taken orally helps wounds to heal faster and better. Applied topically, vitamin C may protect the skin from free radical damage after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.

For cancer prevention, it’s antioxidant properties protect cells and their DNA from damage and mutation. It supports the body’s immune system, the first line of defense against cancer, and prevents certain cancer-causing compounds from forming in the body.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to prevent cataracts — the clouding of the lens of the eye that can lead to blindness in older adults. The lens needs a lot of vitamin C to counteract all the free radicals that form as a result of sunlight on the eye. It’s possible that 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C might stop cataracts in their tracks and possibly improve vision.

Vitamin C helps to prevent heart disease by preventing free radicals from damaging artery walls, which could lead to plaque formation. This nutrient also keeps cholesterol in the bloodstream from oxidizing, another early step in the progression towards heart disease and stroke. All these factors combined make vitamin C an inexpensive and easy way to lower one’s risk of heart disease and strokes.

Along with its immune functions that fight against bacteria, viruses, and infection, vitamin C also serves as an effective antihistamine that will lessen the unpleasant effects of the common cold, including inflammation, stuffy nose and aches.

Mostly Local & Delicious!

Susan Pittard — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:07:40 +0000

I’d say 80% of the time I eat gluten + dairy free but since I’m a curious eater & a lover of food I find it hard to commit fully to any strict rules ALL of the time. So I recently splurged on 2 locally made items. First off, it’s the ides of March and Irish soda bread (one of my favs) only gets baked at this time of year. Secondly, there is a company here in Brooklyn called Salvatore Bklyn and they make amazing ricotta (year-round). This past weekend I had the mind blowing & first time experience of eating their “smokey” ricotta variety in a carrot salad. Since I was sharing the salad in which these little white clouds of heaven were served I took it upon myself to support the locals and go buy a container of my own Salvatore ricotta. I’ve been preparing the ricotta in various ways in the past few days. I’ve topped it on thick slices of irish soda bread with thinly sliced kumquats, drizzled with truffle honey + thyme and I’ve made a fig + sprout salad. Best of all everything but the figs and the truffle honey (a purchase from my Italian trip) are local. I feel so fortunate that I get to buy local artisanal foods & produce from an amazing array of inspired chefs and farmers in and around the NYC area. Here’s to a few indulgences and happy eating!