Why do television and movie producers hate happy couples? My husband and I just finished watching both seasons of Ted Lasso, and after the finale of Season 2, I’m left with a sinking feeling the producers are going to break up Roy and Keely. Why, producers, why?  Why can’t you just give me one happy couple that goes the distance? I say this mostly in jest.  But really, the entertainment world could use a few more good role models when it comes to healthy, functioning couples.  Couples who didn’t have to screw up, hurt, stomp on, or mess it up before they finally figured out they ..read more

The NCAA men’s basketball season ends tonight with the championship game between Kansas and North Carolina. For half the players on the court , it will be one of the most amazing experiences of their lives.  For the other half, heartbreak.  Tears will be flowing on both sides. My daughter’s basketball season ended with a whimper last month.  There was no championship game, no culminating moment that brought the season home for her.  But there were plenty of tears Emily had been down for the count with a nasty cold since last Thursday and missed the last tournament of the se ..read more

One of my favorite spring rituals is the arrival of graduation announcements in my mailbox.  I love seeing the photos and proud announcements of these kids I’ve watched grow up over the years.   When I was a senior, we ordered our announcements directly from the school.  They came preprinted with our name and all the information and included a classy-but-cheesy pencil sketch of our school.  Then there was another card, a bit of tissue paper, and tiny slips with our names on them that went in there somewhere. It was old school, expensive, and really confusing. Nowadays ..read more

Why hire Dirt Road Wife Photography for your livestock show photos? It’s show day and you’ve got two choices: Option A.  See your kid into the ring and immediately run around to the other side to start taking photos of her.  Reach for your iPhone only to realize it’s in a bucket somewhere in the barns.  Run to the barns to fetch the phone and return to get a spot on the rail.  Swelter in the sun as you work to just get one decent photo they can use in record books.  Hear your child’s name called as the winner of her class and miss seeing the look on her face because yo ..read more

Why you should take professional senior pictures If you’re wondering why you should take professional senior pictures, I’ve got some thoughts for you.   Now recognize that this advice comes from a professional photographer.  I obviously have a vested interest in people paying for professional senior pictures.    But I really do believe that senior pictures are an important milestone worth investing in. Here’s why… This year is bigger and more important than selfies. Yes, your camera roll is full of photos of you.  But this year, this moment and your accomplishment ..read more

Why do television and movie producers hate happy couples? My husband and I just finished watching both seasons of Ted Lasso, and after the finale of Season 2, I’m left with a sinking feeling the producers are going to break up Roy and Keely. Why, producers, why?  Why can’t you just give me one happy couple that goes the distance? I say this mostly in jest.  But really, the entertainment world could use a few more good role models when it comes to healthy, functioning couples.  Couples who didn’t have to screw up, hurt, stomp on, or mess it up before they finally figured out they ..read more

The NCAA men’s basketball season ends tonight with the championship game between Kansas and North Carolina. For half the players on the court , it will be one of the most amazing experiences of their lives.  For the other half, heartbreak.  Tears will be flowing on both sides. My daughter’s basketball season ended with a whimper last month.  There was no championship game, no culminating moment that brought the season home for her.  But there were plenty of tears Emily had been down for the count with a nasty cold since last Thursday and missed the last tournament of the se ..read more

My husband and I keep a big photo of my daughter on one of our bedroom walls.  It started because I printed them to enter in photo competitions.  It became a fun tradition for my daughter and I to plan and conduct her own private photo session each year. The mommy-daughter photo sessions have continued each year, but I haven’t kept up with actually getting them printed.  A few weeks ago, my daughter reminded me of that fact when we were reading books together on my bed. “Mom, you need a new picture of me.  I’m like 7 in that one.” (She’s 9 right now…I’m not THAT far behind ..read more

One of my favorite spring rituals is the arrival of graduation announcements in my mailbox.  I love seeing the photos and proud announcements of these kids I’ve watched grow up over the years.   When I was a senior, we ordered our announcements directly from the school.  They came preprinted with our name and all the information and included a classy-but-cheesy pencil sketch of our school.  Then there was another card, a bit of tissue paper, and tiny slips with our names on them that went in there somewhere. It was old school, expensive, and really confusing. Nowadays ..read more

Looking for gift ideas this year? It’s not too hard to make the photographer in your life happy. Here’s a few Pideas for bringing a smile to your favorite shutter bug’s face! Camera Strap The neck straps that come with any camera right out of the box are AWFUL. They rub your neck, pinch your shoulder and are just sort of ugly. So upgrade her experience with a new camera strap! You can get one that’s padded with neoprene, covered with colorful fabric, or fits across her body for more support. Op/Tech 3501252 3/8″ Utility Shoulder Strap, Black Op/Tech 3501242 Strap Sling 0.75in Webbing Black Bl ..read more