Multiple Users Shared Content - Mac

I have a MacBook Pro. My wife and I use two separate user accounts. The computer is basically mine (admin) and she is a user. I have noticed that when she transfers her photos to iphoto under her user account I can't get them on mine.

This makes sense but I would rather it not happen. Is there any way for content such as media (songs, movies etc.) and photos on one user can be accessible on the other?

Our goal was to set up the 2 users so that we each have our own desktop/task bar. If there is no solution to my last question, is there a way to accomplish what I'm trying to do by a different method?