07/02/2026
After nearly 25 years in business, and 18 of those years here in Milbank, this is one of the hardest posts we’ve ever had to write.
When Sarah and I started VPD Studio, we could have never imagined the journey ahead of us or the incredible people we would meet along the way. What began as a small photography business became something so much bigger because of this community.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of capturing the moments that make up the story of an entire generation. Births. School pictures. Sports photos. Birthday parties. Senior sessions. Weddings. Anniversaries. Community events. Milestones. Even funerals and moments of loss. You trusted us to document some of the most meaningful moments in your lives, and that is something we will never take lightly.
As the business evolved, so did the opportunities to serve our community. We were honored to help businesses, organizations, churches, and nonprofits tell their stories through photography, branding, design, websites, signage, marketing, and creative strategy. Projects like WhyMilbank allowed us to help cast a vision for who Milbank is and who it could become. Out of that project grew a network of conversations and media efforts that explored politics, faith, education, community, and culture, eventually leading to The Interview podcast and conversations that reached audiences far beyond our little corner of South Dakota.
But VPD Studio was never just Craig's story.
For many years, Sarah built and nurtured the VPD Art Studio. Hundreds of children and adults walked through those doors to paint, draw, create, experiment, and discover abilities they didn't know they had. Through classes, camps, workshops, and instruction, she helped young artists develop not only skills, but confidence. Watching children discover the joy of creating something with their own hands became one of the most rewarding parts of our time here.
Milbank welcomed us in as "one of us," and we will always be grateful.
This town became home in every sense of the word. Three of our four children have known nothing but Milbank. It is also the place where, in 2025, Sarah and I buried two of our parents. The roots here run deep for our family, and they always will.
With all of that said, later this fall our family will be relocating to North Texas as Craig steps into a new role with Red's Electrical Service Inc. as Director of Brand, Strategy & Integration.
While we are incredibly excited and optimistic about what the future holds, leaving Milbank is bittersweet in every possible way.
As part of this transition, VPD Studio will gradually transition into our broader company, The Studio Ltd. Co. We will continue maintaining client image archives for at least the next five years. If you have interest in acquiring the digital rights to your images, please feel free to reach out and we would be happy to discuss options with you.
Most importantly, thank you.
Thank you for trusting us with your stories.
Thank you for supporting our business.
Thank you for encouraging our family.
Thank you for welcoming us into your lives.
For nearly a quarter century, you allowed us to do work that we loved alongside people we cared about. That is a gift we will never take for granted.
Milbank will always hold a special place in our hearts, and no matter where life takes us next, we will always carry a piece of this community with us.
This is not goodbye forever. We are only a phone call away.
With grateful hearts,
Craig & Sarah Weinberg
