Sunday, July 22, 2007

Vacation!



Click here to see the rest of the pictures (some taken by my 3-year old after arranging everyone how he wanted).
Check out the size of that fish! I had to hike 3 hours uphill to get to Holden Lake in the Wenatchee Wilderness of Washington State but the views (and pictures) were well worth it - we were surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls in 70 degree weather. I think I caught 7 fish on my first 10 casts. Photo tip: hold the fish with your arm extended towards the camera to make it look bigger (demonstrated in the picture). DO NOT put your fingers around the fish as then you give away its real puny size (also demonstrated above).

My extended family decided to spend a week in remote Holden Village without cell phones, TV, red meat, and pretty much every modern convenience including automatic pin setting machines in the bowling alley. Hikes, fishing, time with kids, pottery, reading, conversation, hot tubs, pool, and bowling filled the days instead.

It was a great break but funny timing since it was in an "10 weddings in 4 weeks" time frame. Do you know like 50% of Americans don't take the vacation they are entitled to? Probably since you don't want your employers to find out their company runs just fine while you were gone; probably because you spend most of your day online reading other people's blogs. :) So, I have a solution: drag your feet on work for two weeks before your scheduled vacation, then have a bunch of friends call your "if this matter needs immediate attention" colleague over and over so the perception is that you are invaluable to the company and therefore need more vacation time. Try it and let me know what happens. -Judd

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Ben and Kate - July 14, 2007



Click here to see Ben and Kate's Digital Italian Coffee Table Album! click on the shopping cart to see all the pictures once Ben and Kate have had a chance to view them all.

OK, here's a "small world" story if you ever heard one: Ben's family (The Babcocks) are from Chanute, Kansas (see blog for Craig and Tara's Wedding June 30). Unreal...

What a great wedding! When Ben and Kate first saw each other outside the church it was one of the most genuine first meetings I have had the pleasure to photograph. Except for the Pawn America sign in the background of course which I captured as well (on purpose). Regardless, Ben and Kate just radiated with adoration toward each other and lit up as soon as they were finally together on the wedding day.

The ceremony was great, even though Ben had microphone problems all day it seemed. :) We got a couple REALLY great shots of them walking out of the church under a shower of bubbles (see above).

Shady Thompson park yielded some really great wedding party shots on a gorgeous day; finally a summer wedding with great weather! The St. Paul Hotel was decorated beautifully and the bathrooms had some unique ice placement (right cousins at table 5?). This wedding wins the "Best Vows" award for the heartfelt, memorized, and 'not by the book' verses Kate and Ben spoke to each other - Uncle Roger, you got that on video, right?

Check back here in late July for their online album, I'm going on vacation for a few days! -Judd and Jessi

Joe and Nikki - July 14, 2007



Click here to view their online Coffee Table Album and click on the shopping cart to view and /or order all the photos once Joe and Nikki have had a chance to view them. Free doubles on all orders placed before Aug 25!

Amanda and Chris shot wedding #3 of the day - Joe and Nikki. It was great to see a young North High contigent (Anna, Alec, Laura and Brady, and Alec) as well as a Studio J photographer as a guest (Chad holding the flowers).

It looked like a really great day with lots of fun pictures like the groomsmen hanging from a tree. Nice catch on the garter, Brad - I always told Coach Porter you should have been an outfielder! -Judd

Jason and Heather - July 14, 2007



Heather and Jason's Wedding Highlights - part 1

Part 2 (reception)

So Jessi and I leave Ben and Kate's wedding to try to catch an hour or so of Jason and Heather's wedding that Joe and Josh videotaped and had a classic case of GPS gone awry... instead of going to Mississippi BLVD, we went to Mississippi Dunes golf course (Hastings / St Paul, pretty much the same right? Not quite. You should have seen the confused look on the bride's face there seeing two photographers walk in a 10pm. We did eventually get there and were greeted by 1/2 the cast of the "Secret Lives of Teachers" as they were leaving the wedding (see blog for April, 2007). Ms. Destics' shoulder was sore from driving her truck all weekend, apparently. They must have had some secret stuff to do leaving at 10:30 on a non-school summer night.

I grabbed a couple of shots for Jason and Heather's DVD artwork (above) and headed home thinking I haven't seen Heather that happy since she got her Q-comp check ;) (teacher joke). These guys win the "best dance moves by a couple" award for the 'hook, line, and sinker' fishing move from across the dance floor. Very appropriate. -Joe, Josh, Jessi, and Judd (full Studio "J" crew)

Monday, July 02, 2007

Craig and Tara - June 30, 2007


Craig and Tara's Italian Album - Click the shopping cart to see all the pictures; free doubles through early August on all online orders!
Click below to watch their video - resolution is low for faster streaming!

Have you wondered why we haven't had any rain in Minnesota? It's ALL in Kansas - 15 inches in the 3 days we were there, helping the river 33.5 feet over normal levels and closing roads (check out the picture above - there's not supposed to be a waterfall there at all!)

Where do I begin? As we're driving into the BOONDOCKS of Chanute, Kansas for this family wedding, I noticed a sign that said "birthplace of Walter Johnson" and I'm wondering "Who the heck is Walter Johnson?" Turns out he was one of the best baseball pitchers ever that played - his career ended in the early 1900's and the sign looked that old... So we make it into town past the "Bargain Center" where "no credit is needed" and I'm wondering "If things are such a bargain why would you need credit?" Then when I entered my hotel (Wild Bill Hickcock hotel room) and saw the carpeted BATHROOMS, I stopped wondering about things in Chanute as my brain had started hurting.

Some unique shots at this wedding was one of the wedding party while standing on the rail of the bridge, the amazing 6-level cake Tara's grandma made, and a picture of Craig and Tara while I was actually singing with the family during the ceremony.

It was raining (again) after the short reception so we went back to the Tioga Suites and wound up finally finding a slow song by George Strait so Craig and Tara could have their first dance. In Kansas, they play BOTH kinds of music, Country AND Western - and the DJ's sure weren't used to wedding dances in the hotel bar. The evening ended with the family checking which roads were flooded and closed online - there was only way out of town (the opposite direction we needed to go) but it looked like we could get back to Kansas City Int'l the next day. But wait! One last surprise, a 1am tour of the hotel brewery from the Brewmeister who had just returned from a party. She was also kind enough to show us her 7 new pug puppies - 10 hours old; my camera was unfortunately asleep by then. The MOST UNIQUE WEDDING award goes to Craig and Tara's, hands down. -Judd

Brad and Kelleigh - June 16, 2007



Their highlight video!

Another sunny (hot) June wedding! Brad and Kelleigh met in class at St. Thomas - right next to the arch they are walking through in the picture above. This wedding wins the "most creative table decorations" award with flowery, handmade European structures made by Kelleigh's mom (Brad and Kelleigh got to know each other on a European trip in college). The wedding party took a brief (60 minute) break during the reception to "decorate" Brad and Kelleigh's hotel room - I wonder how it looked... Somebody follow up with me on how Brad decorates your rooms on your wedding days!

I think I'm going to start posting highlght videos here on the blog through YouTube so check back here in a few weeks after Brad and Kelleigh have had a chance to view their highlight video. -Judd and Josh

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Marshall and Megan - June 15, 2007



Click here to see all their pictures! FREE DOUBLES on all orders until July 10!)
A warm day cooled off nicely for a great evening at Dellwood Hills. This wedding wins the award for most colorful flowers - great blues and purples mixed in!

Marshall was very diligent with the lint roller for the groomsmen to start the day, but about halfway through the dance that seemed to be the least of the groomsmen worries... We took some great big group shots of those crazy Madison and Tartan contigents (Nice fight song singing.) Dellwood Hills was decorated beautifully for this young, fun wedding! - Judd and Joe

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Matt and Lisa - June 10, 2007



See their Italian album design by clicking here. (Click on the shopping cart to view all photos). Enjoy!

Part #1 of Matt and Lisa's highlight video (ceremony):


Part #2 of Matt and Lisa's highlight video (reception):


What a gorgeous day and a fun Sunday wedding! A quick trip to Target for a steam cleaner (thanks Target return policy!) got the wrinkles out of Lisa's dress at the outset of the day. That steamer picture, both moms carrying Lisa's dress, and the picture of all the Verizon folks were shots we'd never taken before at a wedding.

A beautiful ceremony at Northwestern was followed by the "streamer web" that captured Matt and Lisa in a crazy tangle as they left the church - see picture above. The sunset shots at the end of the evening were unbeatable. This wedding wins the "longest conga line" award which emptied out the entire reception hall (check out the end of Part 2 video) - funniest part of the conga line was Chris was inside deleting photos oblivious to the fact that everyone had left (besides the DJ of course). My favorite shot was probably after the conga line down on the golf course where everyone looked super happy and bridesmaid Tricia was making out with her man. :) -Judd, Chris, Joe, and Josh

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Cory and Rachel - May 26, 2007



Click here to view their online album and click the shopping cart to view all the pictures - FREE DOUBLES on all orders before July 4.

Who doesn't love Arnold's Park, Iowa? I'm surprised everyone didn't get in the wooden roller coaster - is it still there? I was sad to miss this camp reunion of sorts that Chris and Amanda captured beautifully.

Hands down the cutest ringbearer outfits ever as well (the one on the left is my nephew)! -Judd (for Chris and Amanda)

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Mick and Heather - May 19, 2007



Mick and Heather's online Italian Coffee Table album.
Click here to see all of their pictures.

What a fun, small group to capture at the Embassy Suites - a little thunderstorm in the morning made Heather cry for a bit but didn't dampen anyone's spirits! Matron of honor Levonia was just glad to have a few days away from her young girls and best man Jon couldn't stop doing the Jon Bon Jovi "rock lock" - hilarious. Another highlight was the guy who won the dance contest - he had double jointed knees for sure. I love the "album cover" shot of the wedding party shown above. -Judd and Jessi

Jesse and Courtney - May 19, 2007



Jesse and Courtney's online Italian coffee table album.

An evening in Maple Grove and Minnetonka captured by Chris, Amanda, and Josh. First couple ever to go on a zipline on the wedding day (picture above)! Look for all pictures posted here in 1-2 weeks. Sign up to be notified on the Proof and Order Prints page on www.studioJphoto.com.

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Secret Lives of Teachers - May 11, 2007

"And you thought your teacher didn't have a life..."

A break in the wedding season turned my attention to independent filmmaking, which took up my free time for the better part of two months. Special thanks to Kindra for the script and my colleagues, the North High Teachers who embraced this short comedy. Enjoy the videos below! -Judd

If you're looking for wedding samples look farther below; we will have 28 new weddings posted here in 24 weeks starting May 19!

Trailer - Secret Lives of Teachers


Introduction - Secret Lives of Teachers


Superteacher Maker - Mr. Krueger


The Cat Whisperer - Mr. Cahill


The Dryer Lint Artist - Mr. Lyon


The Trucker - Ms. Destics


The Olympic Hopefuls - Mr. Salava, Mr. Waeffler, Ms. Crothers


The Lounge Singer - Ms. Scheierl

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Ron and Alyson - January 12, 2007



The first wedding of 2007! How cool is it to be married with dolphins swimming around in the background?

The crisp January cold snap yielded to the fun and uniqueness of Ron and Alyson's wedding at Mystic Lake Casino and the Minnesota Zoo. We had slot machines, valet parking, dolphins mourning, dolphins jumping, Ron accidently dropping cake down Alyson's dress, "Uncle DJ" keeping Ron on his knees while guests paid to have him remove the garter over and over, and people "petting" stingrays, starfish and little tiger sharks.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the dolphin telling the DJ to turn the dance music down through "his translator" - apparantly, dolphins start swimming around franticaly when they are mad and the music was the reason - smart animals!

It all added up to be a very fun evening loaded with some some very interesting and challenging photography, including about 150 pictures of the ringbearer, Jackson. -Judd & Amanda

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Sean and Coleen - December 29, 2006


8 months from first "wink" to wedding - thank you match.com!

What a fun group to shoot on a balmy December evening... from Pastor Steve's "gameplan" sermon to the permanent grins on Sean and Coleen's faces all night long, it was a pleasure to shoot this wedding. When Sean and Coleen toasted each other at the reception, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that they truly felt they were both the luckiest people in the world at that moment.

And a cross-country Studio J guest appearance! Anna Hall was at Emily and Eric's wedding in Los Angeles last year and Sean and Coleen's wedding in Stillwater/North St. Paul - small world!

I could tell Sean was itching to get out of that tux and back into his coaching sweatpants. I heard from one opposing softball coach: "There will be parity in the league now that Sean has a distraction!" Time will tell...

Click here to see their pictures! -Judd, Chad and Jessi

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Matt and Kristen - December 9, 2006


Matt and Kristen's Online Coffee Table Album.
Click on the little shopping cart to view and/or purchase individual photos.

Who needs coats for a December wedding? We'll take 50 degrees and sunny anytime, as long as global warming doesn't melt all the glaciers!

A very beautiful and unique winter wedding with great Christmas lights, a fun wedding party, dinosaurs, snowflakes and even mistletoe (hanging above Matt and Kristen at the reception - yes Katie, I got the shot just for you!)

Some unique shots:
1. Shots of wedding party at the Kellogg Mall with a slew of red lights behind in the trees (Great idea Jennifer)
2. Shots of wedding party with a Triceratops and erupting volcano in the background
3. Matt and Kristen's silhouettes into the setting sun (above)
4. Matt and Kristen with the bridges of St Paul in the background (above)
5. "Char Bob" and "Joe Bob" 'cutting rug' on the dance floor (wait until you see that one!)

Enjoy! - Judd and Chris

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Jesse and Amy - October 21, 2006


Studio J crew #2 ventures to the northern suburbs for Jesse and Amy's wedding at the Northland Inn - it's always great to see a teacher wedding over EM break! Click here to view their online coffee table album. -Amanda, Lori, Troy and Josh

Steven and Lindsay - October 21, 2006



Click here to enjoy Steven and Lindsay's Coffee Table Album!

It was a brisk, emotional, autumn day for the wedding of Steven and Lindsay. Steven wins the "most nervous groom of the year" award and leaned on the moral support of Chris just before seeing Lindsay for the first time.

The pastor almost forgot to let Nikki sing (that would have been a shame), and I almost missed the first kiss shot since it happened before the music only about 10 minutes into the service. Lindsay's second grade students had a thrill jumping inside the hummer limo after the ceremony and the limop ride was delayed slightly by a 15 minute wait to buy a plethora of swisher sweets at SA (were they ever smoked?) Apparantly someone in line ahead of the groomsmen was grocery shopping at a convenience store...

It was great to see the families of North High again as well, mostly when they were dancing with Steven in the "I'm too sexy" or Lindsay in the "I knew the Bride when she used to Rock and Roll." Check back here to see their online coffee table album (around November 7) and some of the 1552 pictures we took - we'll try to cut it down; I think it was Amy's fault. :) - Judd and Amy

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Brent and Lauren - October 7, 2006

Click here to see Brent and Lauren's online coffee table album!

Who says October can't be hot? 80 degrees and sunny for Brent and Lauren's wedding day was fantastic! No sweat for a couple of triathletes, though... pun. We registered pretty high on the cheese-o-meter a few times for pictures (throwing and running through the leaves) , but why not? It was a really fun group and a perfect day; notice in the park pictures the wedding in the background that was about to start that we almost crashed.

There was not a dry eye in the crowd when Brent Jr came running out of the church after the wedding to see his old high school ride - the El Camino Conquista! Brent Sr. had it in storage and restored it unbeknownst to Brent Jr.... it was thought to have been sold long ago. Wait until you see those pictures. Brent Jr. exclaimed "Is it bad that I'm crying now but didn't in the church?!"

Check out their engagement pictures if you want - you'll see a picture in there of my two boys on the stone arch bridge with their tongues out.

It was a pleasure shooting Brent and Lauren's wedding! - Judd and Amanda

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Joel and Mary - September 23, 2006

Click here for Joel and Mary's Online coffee Table Album! Click on the little shopping cart to view all of the photos.

What a day! Studio J employees were up and at 'em around 7am to prepare for the 3 hour trek to beautifully rural Mosinee, WI. During a brief detour (code for "wrong turn"), we encountered a 12' tall beaver mascot of a local high school and got pre-made, xeroxed directions back to HWY 29 from the Marathon gas station - "people miss that turn all the time," the girl said. Apparantly so.

So, we packed up our $28.79 in junk food and EZ fold Wisconsin map, blasted "Holiday Roads" from National Lampoon's Vacation and were on our way. (Picture Chevy Chase driving the circa 1970's station wagon with the car-top carrier and grandma in the back.)

After the men shook off lousy football performances by the Gophers and Badgers on the gridiron, a beautiful day unfolded to celebrate Joel and Mary's big day. Rare trivia: there were three John's and three Katie's in the wedding party/attendant group.

From the centerpieces matching the aisle runners, to the beautiful service, to the carmelized pecans on the salad, to the chocolate fountain, to the first dances, everything was first class. Much thanks to the Fryes and Knoedlers for such great hospitality!

And, we only saw one deer on the way back home.

Enjoy the pictures! - Judd, Amanda, Joe, and Josh

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Eric and Becky - September 1, 2006




Click here to view Eric and Becky's digital coffee table album

Click on the shopping cart to view all of the photos - enjoy!

Ah... fall weddings! September came with a beautifully overcast day (with really cool clouds), and it was a welcome break from the heat of summer. What a great day and evening at Oak Glen for Eric and Becky's wedding. Yes, Denny's speech was a bit long and Linda's flip flops were way too pink but that's why everyone loves them! (The speeches and flips flops that is) :)

Eric and Becky, it was great to see you guys so happy and the Rooster Baseball boys again. Too bad there wasn't a rookie at the wedding to carry the bats for the veteran "bat tunnel."

Well, it's 2am and I've made i through 1300 of the 1589 pictures and I'm calling it quits for the night - I have a date with my boys and their treehouse contruction in the morning. Studio J set a record for kiss (11) and butterfly release (13) pictures at the end of the ceremony - that's what happens when there are 3 photographers shooting (plus 2 video cameras makes 5!)
-Judd, Amanda, Chris, Troy, and Josh

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Noah and Emily - August 19, 2006


Click here to look at Emily and Noah's Online Coffee Table Album and all the pictures Click on the little shopping cart to take you to the site for online ordering. Enjoy!

First of all, did anyone notice the M&M's had an expiration date of August 19? Hope nobody got food poisoning! Amy, the assistant photographer, noted that the "August 19" stamp on the M&M's MIGHT be for Noah and Emily's wedding date, but I think the jury's still out.

Boy, were we mavericks shooting at Pioneer Park without a permit! Studio J was really living on the edge shooting in a public park - great pictures there, though. Hopefully the wedding people there didn't yell at the other 12 wedding parties that came through today - it's tough on the blood pressure.

Noah and Emily, you were a very fun couple and a great wedding party as well - wait until you see the shots down by the water in Stillwater. Also, great job pulling the wedding together so quickly! -Judd, Amy, Joe, and Josh

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Jeff and Michelle - July 29, 2006

An exquisite evening in Minnetonka!

Website is private.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Chris and Sonja - August 12, 2006

Click here to see Chris and Sonja's online Coffee Table Album. Enjoy!

What a day... I think I only sat down for about 15 minutes in 9 hours - as I'm sure wedding party can attest!

We perhaps had the craziest trolley driver known to Stillwater or the human race in general for that matter. I had to use what remains of my abs to keep from falling over at every turn. The trolley happened to lose both Studio J chase vehicles even!

What a fantastic late summer boat ride on the Andiamo around Stillwater and a fun (but short) dance after the treat of rain sent us to the lower deck. In the album, there is a great picture of the boat going under the lift bridge at night. - Judd, Amy, Joe, and Dylan

Shane and Jennifer - August 12, 2006


Farmington! Studio J goes south of the Twin City border to capture a very fun wedding! That's the first wedding ever with Fisher Price toys in the limo... Check back here around August 31 to see Shane and Jennifer's online album and all of their pictures.

Other way to get to the photos: www.studiojphoto.com, "Proof and Order Prints" and find "Wedding - Shane and Jennifer".

Click here to watch their online Coffee Table Album

Also, check out www.jenniferandshane.com - nice job on the site, Jennifer!

-Chris, Amanda, Josh and Andy - www.studiojphoto.com

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Phil and Cailin - July 28, 2006

What a fun wedding - the bridal party was all smiles all night - and Cailin gets the "Appiest Bride of the Year" Award! Imagine how crazy you all would have been if it wouldn't have been 95 degrees out! It was fun to see all the North High alums again as well.

Phil and Cailin, it was great to see you guys finally walk down the aisle - it was the first time in awhile that I've heard a collective "whoo-hoo" at the announcement of the couple at the end of the ceremony.

Cailin, wait until you see the shot of you inside the cooler at the liquor store, and the shots on the top of the river valley banks (sample above). We took 1489 shots that are now being color corrected.

One final question... now that you're married, are you still up for babysitting our kids? :) -Judd and Mallory

Click here to see Phil and Cailin's online album - enjoy!
Click on the shopping cart to view all the photos - there are 1053 final pictures.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Tim and Amanda - July 8, 2006

Tim and Amanda - what a fun day! You have a really fun group of family and friends... of course I got to know a few of them really well on that 2-hour limo ride. :)

We got some great outdoor shots even though it was about 110 degrees out - the "waterfall" location in the above picture was courtesy of the limo driver.

The 1168 images are in the process of color correction now (Sunday the 9th - you're probably opening gifts right now). Thanks again for the great day! - Judd and Amanda / "Mandy"

Click here for Tim and Amanda's album!

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Andy and Jaime - June 30, 2006


Wow! It's Saturday (the day after) and I feel like a went to North High School Reunion. I've never taken so many pictures of my former Pre-Calculus students. Andy and Jaime, it was a beautiful day and wait until you see the crazy sock shots - check above for the Groom's socks!

Thanks for asking us to be part of your special day - our editors are working already on doing effects on the 1272 pictures and the 2.5 hours of video we took.

Just for Pre-Calc old time's sake... tan x = (sin x)/(cos x) - remember bridemaid Ann Rygwalski? By the way, I don't think I'll ever make it into corporate America... (tell your boyfriend) - it's too much fun taking pictures...

Click here for Andy and Jaime's custom album design! -Judd

Monday, June 19, 2006

Chris and Jamie - April 22, 2006

Amanda and Chris did a great job shooting Chris and Jamie's wedding - click here for their digital album! -Judd

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Matt and Rachael - June 17, 2006




We had a VERY hard time leaving the reception... we stayed an extra hour and took 25 more shots in the parking lot on the way out!

The ladies (and men) of Rooster Baseball made things very interesting toward the end of the night...

A great wedding and reception - the dance floor was packed! I can't wait to wade through these 1642 pictures - it will be full of fun shots --- thanks Matt and Rachael! -Judd (former Rooster Baseballer).

Click here for Matt and Rachael's custom Album Design!

Pictures may be ordered by clicking on the little shopping cart in the lower right-hand corner. Enjoy!

Monday, June 12, 2006

Garrin and Angel - June 10, 2006


So I'm sitting up at 1:10am in the morning (early Sunday) after Garrin and Angel's wedding thinking "Why is it taking so long to download these photos?" We usually take about 1200 or so, but guess what? We took 1898 photos!!! Amanda always gets a little trigger-happy when there are little kids around that are all dressed up. Plus Paul and the "Chin - Party of Four" gang made for a few extra VERY interesting shots. Great group of bridesmaids as well - you're the first group that has made me pose with them for a picture.

Garrin and Angel, I know you wanted every single picture we took, but I think that is cruel and usual punishment to look through 1900 pictures... so I'll try to knock off a couple hundred for you at least :).

I'll post the link here as soon as my computer cools off from all the downloading yesterday - hopefully by early next week if I'm lucky, we'll get an album designed for you like this one: click here to see Garrin and Angel's online album (new June 26!) -Judd