Each issue of the Digest takes about 8 weeks to produce, which means a lot of running around Hoboken and Jersey City for interviews, photo shoots and prop collecting. During the process, you tend to develop a certain fondness for a particular photo spread or story. Below the Digest staff picks their favorites from the Holiday Gift and Charity Guide. Check out the full issue here: The Digest Holiday Issue
Our 8 Holiday Favorites:
Olya Bahrynivsky, Photographer: Without a doubt, the "It's Time To Eat" section was my favorite. My favorite page is the Cranberry & Blue Cheese Crostini (page 27). It’s a close call, since I dreamt about the Latkes on page 28, and seeing the Cloud Cookies on page 29 brings me right back to the moment I had my first scrumptious bite of heaven. But the Crostini came about quite serendipitously when Lauren and I were a little bit desperate for a solution. It started as a last ditch effort and transformed into the most beautiful photo — and they were so very yummy. There was a little bit of magic in the creation of the whole spread. Ending with Donna's beautiful design that brought the whole thing together.There's a lot of love in that one.
Lauren Bull, Editor: Sometimes I get an idea at the start of an issue, and I can’t let it go, even if we can’t figure out how to execute it right away. This time, I really wanted an “aftermath of the party” image — what your home bar set-up looks like after everyone leaves at 3 a.m. Olya and I were at the end of a very long day of shooting, and we just couldn’t get it right. When we shifted gears and pushed the cart in front of a brick wall, something clicked into place. I love everything about that image — NJ Beer Co., the brick wall, what it took to get there. We used it for the Table of Contents (page 11), beginning the issue with a shot of the end. It looks like a good time.
Jason Underberg, Publisher: My favorite piece is the Digest Holiday Shopping Guide on page 40. When Lauren Bull originally came to me with the concept for this piece, I was really excited to see the final outcome. A perfectly executed photo shoot mixed with some creative and awesome products, and this truly unique editorial spread is born!
Donna Zitelli, Senior Graphic Designer: The resolutions editorial piece (page 77), because it was really entertaining to read and the most fun page to design!
David Kabrin, Associate Publisher: New York Knicks Charity Ball (page 20) because I am a die-hard Knicks fan! Enough said.
Lauren Zintz, Graphic Design Intern: The wrapping paper on page 57. it was a lot of fun to create and I’m excited to wrap some of my gifts with it this year!
Lauren Scrudato, Writing Intern: I liked the "It's Time To Eat" section because the recipes instantly had my stomach grumbling and the layout allowed the photos of the food to pop!
Michael Scivoli, Writing Intern: It's easy to come up with resolutions for the new year, but not so easy to keep them. We put our heads together, and when we finally narrowed it down, we had a list we could all stick to. Keep it real on page 77.
It looks like we have a tie! Which page of the Digest Holiday Issue was your favorite?
