What’s Hard about Family Photos?

Family of 6 poses along a brick wall downtown for a photo

I have a question. What’s the hardest thing about getting a family photo taken? Cost? Outfits? Time? Not important? I’d love to know honest, real answers. For me, it was always cost when my kids were little, and we were either grad students, small business owners, or both! Now, it is time and getting everyone…

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Home is Where the Art Is

Photographer Jen Ritchie holds her camera.

Photo by Pix by Jill I admire my brother Jon’s walls. Every time I visit him in Brooklyn I come home a little more inspired. His walls tell a story of someone who has valued art since high school, of someone who has dedicated his life to making art and supporting artists. With degrees in…

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When an Owl Comes to Town

Eastern Screech Owl huddles away from the snow

When your friends are out and about doing everyday things and post that they see this at one of their stops… ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You jump out of bed and completely forget you have a pounding headache. Throw on your fleece-lined pants and struggle to get your contacts in. Thank your husband profusely for getting up with…

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Winter Lessons Collection

Snow-covered trees at the Celery Bog Nature Area in West Lafayette, Indiana

Winter Lessons Collection on Sale Now! This winter has shown me just how fruitful it is to investigate and document the beauty of my hometown’s seasons. In honor of that, I’ve put together a collection of 10 images called “Winter Lessons.” Prints from this collection will be on sale until March 1. They are offered…

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Lessons from Winter Wildlife Photography

Young white-tailed deer munches on winter branches.

Coming into winter, I was afraid I wouldn’t see my camera for a while. With temperatures dropping into the teens and twenties, would I need it? Would I find wildlife? My normal places were growing quieter and quieter. The green herons no longer fished from fallen trees in the marsh; the sounds of songbirds floated…

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7 Tips for a Great College Graduation Photo Session

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” —E. E. Cummings Living in a college town these past 19 years, I’ve certainly become accustomed to graduation seasons. Each May, August, and December it’s not uncommon to see graduation caps dotting the sidewalks of Purdue University. Students huddle to take selfies with…

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