WHERE PEOPLE CREATE: SEASONS MAGAZINE STORY

This month I had a story near and dear to my heart published in SEASONS magazine -- it was all about a few wonderful Santa Barbara artists and the amazing spaces they call home . . . This assignment was a total treat, as these folks, their private worlds and creative thoughts are all fascinating to me. Of all the magazine articles I've written and shot, this has to be my favorite to date.

Here's a link to read the whole story.

THE KITCHN COOKBOOK IS OUT NOW!

About a year and a half ago, I embarked on a huge project -- the images for The Kitchn Cookbook. This is not just a collection of 150 recipes, it includes 10 kitchen tours shot around the country, cooking skills, equipment must-haves, meditations on food and much more. It's a powerhouse of information -- written by Sara Kate Gillingham and Faith Durand. More photos, out-takes and news after the jump.

SALT & STRAW LA CLASSIC FLAVORS

This new flavor is Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese

A few weeks ago, I shot another round of images for my favorite ice cream company, Salt & Straw. The big news is that this little Portland company that blew everyone's minds just got closer to us Californians . . .  they're opening a shop down here, in Los Angeles (I'll show you those pictures soon, the shop is adorable)! Tyler, Kim and the gang will be sourcing local produce and edibles to create Southern California flavors, reflecting the tastes and artisans who make this part of the world so delicious. 

OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD // SANTA BARBARA MAGAZINE

If you are local to Santa Barbara or Southern California, look out for the story I shot about Outstanding in the Field's dinner party with Full of Life Flatbreads, one of my favorite pizza makers . . . It's a big, pretty spread in Santa Barbara Magazine. Read on to see more of the story and outtakes.

FRESH SIPS FOR FLUTTER MAGAZINE

The Summer issue of Flutter Magazine is out now -- order it online here -- stylist Kelly Oshiro & I partnered up with the bartender at Sama Sama to create floral-inspired craft cocktails. I learned a lot about different, unexpected fruity/flower combos. My favorite drink was the Spicy Tequila, so plucky with fresh cilantro, chiles and grapefruit juice. These fun cocktails and this killer magazine should definitely be on your Summer fun list!

MICHELLE LOVITT FOR PREVENTION MAGAZINE

I recently got the assignment from Prevention Magazine to photograph one of most sought-after physical trainers in LA, Michelle Lovitt. We hung out in her sweet back yard under the orange tree.

CAROLINE DIANI & JEFFREY DOORNBOS HOME

The luckiest part of my job is the people I get to meet . . . 

MY FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES ON SKILLSHARE.COM IS LIVE!

I have wonderful news to share! I'm hosting a food photography series on Skillshare.com -- These courses are near and dear to my heart, as they cover everything I wish I knew when I was starting out --There was A LOT of trial and error for me my first few years of shooting. Now I have the pleasure of teaching others how to approach this sweeping topic (and Dave shot the entire series beautifully! Go Dave!)  If you love to tell stories, cook, connect with others and make pictures, this is definitely the series for you! Read more about each course after the jump . . .

After all, food is the thing that unites us all as humans -- we have to eat 3 times a day, so it's a constant thread in our lives . . . Photographs of food impact us on a visceral level, they effect our emotion, our hunger our sense of past nostalgia and future gatherings. It makes the most wonderful subject as a photographer!

ANTHOLOGY MAGAZINE: THE GOLD STANDARD

I had the pleasure of developing, writing and shooting a story on my favorite color in San Francisco this past year for Anthology magazine . . . The Gold Standard is now out on news stands, here's a sneak peek.

I'M MAKING A COOKBOOK: EVERYDAY FANCY

Today I have the most special news to share . . . A personal project I've been plugging away at for quite some time: I'm going to make a cookbook of my very own! Read on for the title, low down, publisher and all kinds of squishy feelings -- after the jump.

MEGAN GORDON FOR COOKING LIGHT

This tear from April's Cooking Light makes me so so happy. Every time I look at this picture, my heart fills with glee! In December of last year, I was able to shoot my friend Megan Gordon (and colleague at The Kitchn) for a national magazine. This girl is a whole grain goddess with an amazing book just published, a granola company in full swing and a wonderful recipe developer for healthy brands. And what a babe!!!

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT PORTUGAL FOR SWEET PAUL

What a good mail day! I'm so pleased to share a story I wrote and photographed about Portugal for Sweet Paul Magazine. Do you know this publication? It's one of the most thoughtful, creative and innovative projects out there. The creator Paul Lowe is a tastemaker I admire -- he's looking ahead and brings new, fresh ideas into the world of food, design and lifestyle.

I'm honored to have taken part with this story that is very dear to me. Portugal was one of the most photogenic, intriguing countries I've ever visited, so it's nice to celebrate it in print and prose! Plus, this almond tart I feature here is UNREAL. I could really go for a slice of it this very instant.

NEW LOOKBOOK FOR DIANI

Last month, I had the utter joy to play dress up and photograph with Ms. Caroline of DIANI shop -- the most luxe/global/stylish shop in Santa Barbara . . . She invited her gorgeous husband, Jeffrey, along for the day -- showcasing the perfect daylong date which began with bouncy hair, white hydrangeas, and continued with poached eggs and breakky out at D'Angelos, then to a neighborhood bike ride and ice cream romance on the pier. This couple is magic!! Just look at their chemistry . . . 

SUMMER FLAVORS: SALT & STRAW

Shooting for Salt & Straw, the wackiest, most inventive ice creamery in Portland, is such a treat each season! Every few months, I get to try out ideas, bring in new talent (such as our model seen above, the ravishing ms. Emily Katz) and stick my fingers in a bunch of VERY tasty pints of exotic ice cream flavors.

NEW WORK: COVER & ARTICLE FOR LIVING AND MORE

Happy New Year friends! What a way to kick it off -- with a cover and big spread in Germany's most popular design magazine: Living & More. This piece stars Haleigh of Making Magique. Haleigh and I go way back and I couldn't be more pleased to make this babe into a cover girl! Her apartment in the Marais in Paris is a dreamy space, full of opulence and casual grace. An Ikea couch can perfectly coexist with a giant blue plumed pen, exposed beams and a neon purse -- it's an eclectic, stylish apartment curated by a creative bon vivant I'm honored to call a friend. Now I'm off to go drool over the cover some more - aiiiyyyy!!!

DIANI HOLIDAY LOOK BOOK PART 2

I fell in love with Ms. Caroline during this shoot -- working with a new friend on a project we both were jazzed about was heaven. It was me at just about my happiest, riffing of an inspirational person who introduced me the most lovely clothing and jewels. Getting to play dress up, romp around Caroline and Jeffrey's gorgeous home, trapse about my favorite neighborhood beach and make beautiful images, just us  . . .  It felt luxurious to make time to play and photograph, to get glamorous.

See the whole holiday look book on Caroline's blog: Diani Living.

And shop some of these divine outfits on her shop's site: Diani Botique

DIANI HOLIDAY LOOK BOOK PART 1

About a month ago I was lucky enough to be on an assignment and meet the ever-graceful, talented and delightful Caroline Diani. Caroline has grown up all around the world (Kenya and England before cooling her heels in Santa Barbara) and brings this effortless style to her gorgeous shop, DIANI.

We collaborated on a fun project: a holiday look book with 12 items celebrating the 12 days of Christmas. Caroline is just radiant in all of the sumptuous clothes from the shop -- I've got my eyes on a few of these special pieces, especially that goddess dress at the top of the post!!

See more on Caroline's blog: Diani Living & stay tuned for the second half of the wardrobe <3.

CRAZY THANKSGIVING FLAVORS FOR SALT & STRAW

Late in the Summer, I got to shoot the Thanksgiving Flavor lineup for Salt & Straw in Portland. As their chief ice cream photographer, a role I take very seriously (and enjoy every moment of!), I've gotten to shoot most of their wacky combinations of decadence, local ingredients and creativity. The shoot was extra special because I got to collaborate with a wonderful, inventive and resourceful stylist, Ms. Anne Parker.  These flavors will be hitting their shelves (and available for purchase online) soon.

This round was pretty out of hand though, check out these flavors!

• Salted Caramel Thanksgiving Turkey
• Pumpkin Custard with Swirled Chèvre
• Mincemeat Pie
• Sweet Potato with Candied Pecans
• Apple Cranberry Stuffing

THANKSGIVING & HOLIDAY ICE CREAMS FOR SALT & STRAW

I am lucky enough to be the chief ice cream photographer for my favorite artisan company in the whole wide world, Salt & Straw. Every so often, life throws you a freezer full of exceptional, sometimes crazy, always devilishly tasty ice cream and well, someone's got to photograph it -- then eat all the left overs, bien sur!

 This round of images, I was able to bring in the styling and artistic eye of the very talented and delightful-to-work with Anne and the undeniably radiant Halley to model them cones! It was a big day of ice cream INSANITY. The kind of day where we're licking our fingers making last minute choices on spoons and things are melting (we shot these in August) and all the napkins have ice cream marks on them and stickiness is everywhere. What a joy.

If you don't know Salt & Straw, you need to get to know them. Same for Anne Parker and Halley Roberts.

These flavors include:
pumpkin-spiced chèvre
mincemeat
salted caramel
sweet potato casserole with marshmallow
cranberry apple stuffing
brown butter bourbon vanilla
new money cocktail
spiked eggnong
and more!!!

EDIBLE SANTA BARBARA SOUPS

 

Last month I had the pleasure of working with Edible Santa Barbara on a few shoots for their Fall issue. Seen here are a series of soups, recipes developed by Pascale Beale. These soups all tasted so good, very simple and nurturing -- the perfect thing for a cozy day. Pictured here are a carrot, pureed parsnip with shitakes and creamy cauliflower with apple-raisin compote and thyme.

AND This morning, we awoke to mist and a slight nip, I got to wear my high-waisted wool trousers for the first time! So it seems fitting to share these comforting meals . . . Happy Fall! My favorite season.