The decision to step in front of the camera wasn't just about getting a few nice pictures; it was a deeply personal mission for Dana. With few photos of her own mother, Dana was determined that her children—specifically, her daughters and granddaughters—would have a visual legacy of her beauty and importance. She felt the need to break the cycle ingrained in many cultures: that women should be the picture-takers but never the subject. She wanted to show them that they are beautiful, and their image is worth capturing.

Yet, stepping into the studio brought a familiar sense of fear: the ingrained societal whisper that tells women, "I look terrible in pictures." The truth is, her dream for the photos was better than she imagined. When the images were finally revealed, a profound "Wow!" echoed in her mind. “They turned out so much better than I dreamed they would,” Dana commented!

She described her experience as fun, impactful, and useful. She especially enjoyed watching Susanna "work her magic behind the camera," intuitively selecting the best outfits and angles. This process reinforced the value of the entire session—a value tied not just to the beautiful outcome, but to the core reasons she signed up. Her only regret was not having scheduled it when her family could have joined for a group portrait at the end of the session.

Dana’s life journey was marked by a significant turning point: her divorce from her first husband. Becoming a single mother to three toddlers/infants required a level of strength she didn't know she possessed. Navigating those years became a powerful lesson, teaching her that she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to.

This hard-won perspective defines her present season. Dana feels the absolute best thing about being 55 is knowing exactly who she is and what she wants out of life, and feeling secure in that identity. She values this self-assurance more today than ever before.

She is also an advocate for challenging the myths surrounding her age group. She proudly went back to school and earned her degree in her 40s, completely changing her career path with no regrets. Her message to others—and what she would tell her 20-year-old self—is clear: "Don't hold back! Do all the things!" You are never too old to learn, and connections can be made across all ages.

Dana wanted to *visually* show her ardent interest for the earth and the environment. She’s fortunate to work in a field she feels passionate about as the Executive Director of SICIM (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasive Management), as well as serve on boards for Union County Parks and Recreation and Union County Soil and Water Conservation District.

When it comes to media, she believes the culture often treats people as if they are "washed up at the age of 50." She adamantly disagrees, knowing she has far more to offer and more knowledge now than she did a decade ago—a culmination of life learning. Important things to Dana are her family—immediate (husband, six kids, and 14 grandchildren) and extended, the outdoors; including the environment, sustainability, forest habitat, gardening, and homesteading, hiking and traveling, and reading and painting when the mood strikes. She is also a passionate believer in equity and inclusion for all.

As a "seasoned member" of society, her experience of being seen and heard is mixed. While she enjoys sharing her knowledge with others, she finds that respect for what she brings to the table often depends on the group she is addressing. But regardless of external validation, her inner perspective is solid: she is secure, capable, and entering a vibrant new chapter, refusing to let any cultural narrative diminish her prime.

If you receive an email from Dana, her signature seems to sum up her ethos, “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." —Henry David Thoreau

What would you tell your 20 year-old self: Don't hold back! Do all the things!