I read a short article a few months ago — one of those quick little internet detours we all take — and it’s been bouncing around in my brain ever since. The core idea was simple: be a radiator, not a drain.

That stuck with me.

In every room we walk into, every interaction we have — whether it’s with a client, a coworker, a family member, or someone from church — we’re doing one of two things. We’re either adding warmth to the space or we’re pulling something out of it. We’re radiating or we’re draining.

Let’s just say it out loud: getting ready for family pictures is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time.

Sure, the final product? Gorgeous. Magical. Frame-worthy. You’ll cry when you see them. You'll share them on Facebook with a caption like, “So blessed. What a beautiful crew.” And you are blessed. But you’re also exhausted, because before that perfect sunset smile came a whirlwind of chaos, questionable snack choices, and one particularly unfortunate chocolate Pop-Tart incident in the carseat. (Looking at you, Scarlett.)

Look, I get it. You’re a creative. You’d rather shoot golden hour magic than stare at a spreadsheet. You didn’t sign up for this gig to do math — you signed up to capture moments, tell stories, and maybe edit out a rogue booger or two.

But hear me out: tracking your performance isn’t optional.

Let’s talk about being a dad. Not just the “show up and grill the meat” kind of dad. I’m talking about involved dad. “Put down the remote, grab the light stand, and let’s make some magic” kind of dad.

See, my oldest — Lincoln — is officially my on-call, union-certified light assistant. Okay, maybe not union. But he is paid. (We believe in fair labor practices around here — even if payment sometimes comes in the form of sweet tea from Sonic or Dave’s Cave and/or Legos.)