Photographer Feature: Anna Pittas (@annapittasphotography)

By: Abbey Dufoe
Updated on January 10, 2023

Once a week, we interview one of our Patrons or a photographer from our Slack community on NJspots.com!

We hope that you learn a new spot or new camera setup!

This week, we welcome @annapittasphotography

Who are you, and where in New Jersey are you from?

My name is Anna, I was born in Fontana, California but raised in Morganville, New Jersey!

I am currently a design student at Mason Gross School of the Arts so I reside in New Brunswick, New Jersey! Living in a small city has definitely given me some cool photography inspirations and opportunities.

What are the three best spots for photography in New Jersey, and why?

My three favorite spots.. that’s hard to chose! They would probably be:

1. Sandy Hook. I think I can say this is probably on everyone’s list but it just has such a variety of places to shoot and is beautiful all year round!

2. Asbury Park. I had a friend who lived in Ocean Grove growing up so we spent a lot of time in Asbury Park and I was able to see it change and grow over the years, but it still has a lot of history too which is what I think draws people to it so much. Oh — and its great bar/restaurant/music scene.

NJspots readers recently voted Asbury Park as the best photo spot in New Jersey!

3. Hartshorne Woods Park. I like to think of this as a hidden gem in New Jersey, even though it’s probably not that hidden. It has its history, views and trails but the coolest part is the little beach that borders the park. Awesome place to explore.

What's your camera setup?

I currently use a Canon 77D and a Canon AL-1 that actually was my father’s film camera from the 80s!

What's your dream piece of gear? Think big!

I actually have this is my amazon “saved for later”.. a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens. Cause hopefully I am just saving it for later!

What's one bucket list photo of New Jersey you haven't gotten yet?

I keep a note in my phone of all the places I want to go photograph so picking one is hard. I would say Jersey City. I photograph a lot of beaches and woods so I would like to explore different surroundings. I have also wanted to get into drone photography.. so maybe a combination of the two?

One tip for aspiring photographers?

Just go out and take pictures, don’t be afraid. Take pictures of strangers (with permission — you may even make a friend!), take them of your friends, where you live. It doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad, on your phone or a camera — just take pictures.

What's your favorite part of being a photographer?

My favorite part is being able to collect these moments in time. I remember when I was little I would love looking through my parents old albums and I would admire the pictures that looked a lot like photography more then the typical family photos. You can look at a photograph and imagine and feel what was going on at that exact moment. Even if they didn’t realize it, they were making art.