Year In Review | Best of 2024 | Nebraska Senior + Family Photographer

A Quick Recap of 2024 | Top Favorite Memories

Every year seems to fly by faster than the last, and 2024 was no exception. We went from gearing up for the busy season to wrapping up fall sessions and hustling to get holiday orders out the door. Somehow, amidst the chaos, we managed to keep the family fed, the house somewhat tidy, the kids thriving, and the animals cared for. It’s a whirlwind, but when I look back, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

80+ sessions! This year was a record-breaker for senior and family portraits, and I couldn’t be more grateful to serve all of you. Truly, I LOVE what I do, and every session fills my heart with joy. Hosting three rounds of holiday mini-session dates was a blast, giving everyone a chance to join in the fun. Seeing all the littles and their families was such a highlight of my year.

Senior sessions this year were nothing short of amazing! From traveling to Colorado for a destination session to exploring beautiful spots across central and eastern Nebraska, the variety was incredible. While I could have done without a few of those hot, humid summer days, the sessions themselves were worth every moment. My seniors brought so much personality and creativity—llamas, motorcycles, sports gear, fancy tractors, and even race cars made their way into my senior shoots! And let’s not forget the stunning water shots for my senior girls; there’s just something magical about capturing those moments at sunset. I love how each senior brings something unique to their session, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store!

At the end of the year, I always take time to go through each session folder on my hard drive to prep it to go into my back-up system. It’s so inspiring to reflect on all the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to meet. I’m endlessly grateful that my clients welcome me into their lives and allow me to document their milestones. Seeing it all laid out reminds me just how lucky I am to do what I do!

Take a look into most of the sessions held in 2024! I’m so spoiled to see all of these wonderful people behind my camera.

Best Nine From Instagram

I absolutely love looking back at our Best Nine! On one hand, it’s so exciting to see which images you loved the most (thank you for all the likes and comments!), and on the other, it’s fascinating to see what resonates from a stats perspective. This year, it seems like senior portraits were a big hit—your love for those gorgeous summer sessions truly shines! I’ll be sharing even more of these special moments on Instagram next year, so stay tuned. While I enjoy connecting through stories, I know I need to post more on the feed, and I promise to work on that. Not following along yet? Be sure to check us out and join the fun: @dirtroadphotography

Nebraska High School Senior Portraits

Just when I thought we’d hit record numbers in 2023, 2024 surprised me by exceeding expectations once again! Last year, we worked with nearly 30 seniors, and this year, that number soared to over 40 high school seniors from all across Nebraska. Watching this growth is both exciting and humbling, but I think I’ve found my sweet spot. As we head into 2025, I’m planning to be more intentional with my time—especially since we have a senior in our own household this year! To balance it all, I’ll be setting firm boundaries on the number of clients I can take on during the busy summer and fall seasons.

Seniors truly hold a special place in my heart. Capturing this milestone in their lives brings me so much joy, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their unique stories. Our youth continue to inspire me, and they remind me that the world has some truly amazing leaders on the horizon. Stay tuned for an upcoming post highlighting the Best of Seniors 2024—it’s going to be a wonderful look back at an incredible year!

Top Viewed Blog Posts

I’ll admit, blogging took a bit of a backseat this past year. My focus was on delivering exceptional customer service, which left little time to keep up with posting as often as I’d hoped. But don’t worry—I have big plans to catch up during the off-season and share all the stunning sessions we’ve had this year! I’m excited to highlight some of the amazing locations we’ve used and to keep my blog as a go-to resource for inspiration. Nebraska has so many gorgeous spots for senior pictures, and I love sharing my favorites to help others plan their sessions. Stay tuned for more content soon, but for now, here are the top viewed blog posts of 2024!

Growing and Learning This Year

Being a business owner means constantly growing and learning to better serve you—my amazing clients. This past year, I made a big leap by hiring a business coach to help me refine my approach and implement small but impactful changes. That investment in myself was truly life-changing. It was humbling to focus on self-improvement while finding new ways to make your sessions even more special.

Through this journey, I not only gained valuable insights but also built incredible friendships. Being part of this coaching group opened the door to two unforgettable retreats: one in Asheville, NC this spring, and another in Destin, FL this fall. Both experiences left me feeling refreshed, inspired, and eager to put what I learned into action. Beyond the education, these trips were a chance to connect with fellow small business owners who truly understand the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

The lessons I’ve learned and the friendships I’ve made this year will forever hold a special place in my heart. They’ve fueled my growth in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m so excited to bring that energy into serving you even better in the years to come!

Best Selling Products of 2024

One of my favorite parts of the year is rounding up the products you’ve loved the most! This past year, our top-selling items included digital images, frames, photo albums, and, of course, our ever-popular proof prints.

Digitals continue to be a favorite, and it’s no surprise given the importance of social media and how we love sharing memories online with others. While they’re incredibly convenient, there’s something truly irreplaceable about holding printed photos in your hands. That’s why I’m so passionate about offering printed products to my clients. We’re becoming a generation that risks losing our memories to the digital void, and that thought breaks my heart. If there’s one thing you take away from reading this, it’s to print your most precious memories. To help with this, we’re launching a new course, The Memory Vault, designed to inspire and guide you to preserve your moments in print.

Frames were another top seller this year, and it’s easy to see why. Our classic wood frames, sourced exclusively from Farmhouse Frames, are timeless and stunning. As one of only three photographers in Nebraska partnered with this family-owned business, I’m thrilled to offer such unique, high-quality pieces to my clients. We’ve also introduced a new line of clean, modern frames from our print labs, and they’ve been a hit! On top of that, our collage and trio framed prints have become a client favorite. These pieces are breathtaking and make a bold statement in any home. Frames are an investment that grows with you, allowing you to refresh them as your family changes and grows over the years.

Proof prints were another standout this year. These gorgeous printed images come in a beautifully crafted linen photo box, making them perfect for safekeeping or sharing with family. They’re especially popular for graduation parties or as keepsakes for clients who prefer not to purchase every digital file. Proof prints are versatile—you can frame them, swap them out, or simply treasure them as a tangible memory of your session.

Finally, our photo books and albums have been a hit for those who want to preserve all their session images without committing to full digital collections. These albums are perfect for creating a legacy—keepsakes that you can pass down through generations. They’re an elegant way to keep your memories alive for years to come.

The photos of these products just don’t do them justice, each and every printed photo looks incredible. Straight from our professional print lab directly into your home, there’s nothing you can go wrong with from our line-up of options to choose from!

What’s New for 2025?

Not much, and that’s intentional! We believe in the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” approach, striving to keep things consistent so you know exactly what to expect when working with us.

Our pricing structures are staying largely the same. To be transparent, 90% of our product pricing will remain unchanged. However, some small increases may occur due to rising shipping and supply costs. We’re always committed to offering you one-of-a-kind, high-quality products you can’t find anywhere else, and sometimes that means navigating fluctuating costs from our vendors. Rest assured, I’m constantly exploring ways to add even more exclusive products and new services to the lineup to enhance your experience.

More family mini options! We’ve found the perfect balance for families who love mini sessions, so we’re planning to offer them quarterly in 2025. While traditional family sessions have their place, we know that many families updating their portraits annually are working with smaller budgets. These minis provide the best of both worlds! To kick things off, we’re introducing a fun pre-booking sale in January—don’t miss it! Make sure you’re signed up for our emails so you’re the first to know. SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAILS HERE

For seniors, the pricing structure will remain unchanged, and the senior mini sessions we introduced a few years ago are here to stay! These are a hit with clients who want to complement their main session with something extra, whether it’s sports photos at the football field, fun shots with a best friend, or capturing memories with pets that don’t travel well.

As a small business owner, your support means the world to me. Referrals are one of the greatest compliments I can receive, and they play a significant role in helping my business grow and thrive. If you’ve enjoyed working with me, I’d be so grateful if you shared my name with friends and family!