A few years ago I had the honor and pleasure of photographing Miss Teen Minnesota International 2012--Gabrielle Taylor!! This year she represented my hometown Stillwater, MN in the Miss Minnesota 2014 pageant & SHE TOOK THE CROWN!!! Keep an eye on this one folks!! Your looking at the future Miss America right here!!!! Also make sure to KEEP your eyes here for more pics of this lovely gal----Ive got a faux bridal portrait session planned with Miss Taylor this Summer!!!

"Thank you Joanna Gail--for making me feel special! I absolutely love modeling and you give me the opportunity to do something that I love. When im working with you i forget that my arm is paralyzed, that i have huge scars all over my body from surgeries, and that somebody told me i cant. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For not only helping me feel normal for once in a really long time--but EXTRAORDINARY! I love you & your beautiful family and kitties too! You are amazing at your craft and i feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you twice now!! The pictures look beautiful. So happy with them!!"

--Gabby Taylor | Miss Minnesota International 2014

To read more about Miss Taylor's story click HERE

Are you looking for a Stillwater, MN portrait photographer? CONTACT ME!

Hello :) Hope you have enjoyed looking around the new site!! Please keep in mind this is only the early stages in development--so check back later for more content & updates!!

This is my first post on the new BLOG & so many exciting things have been happening for our business that i just dont know where to begin!!

let me give it a whirl...

First off, we have officially changed our name to "Julia's House" and Ive already heard the buzz, "Julia? who's Julia? i thought her name was Joanna?". Those of you still wondering who Julia is take a look at my welcome page :)

Secondly, I have been working day and night on our new website & still have alot to do--but all in all--I am very excited to be doing it myself! It's another form of creative expression with a tech-savvy twist. Our new website address is: www.juliashouse.net

Next up, Julia's House (formerly Joanna Gail Photography) has always been a referral/word of mouth based small business but this year we have invested in some advertising with our profits from 2012!! (we had our best year yet!) Posted below is my ad for the Stillwater Area High School yearbook!!

ALSO-- we have become part of the WeddingWire Network!! You can check out our profile by clicking on the WeddingWire icon below. The WeddingWire Network is the easiest online way to find local wedding venues, cakes, dresses, invitations & more. It is the largest wedding network in the US and Canada, and it houses 5 of the top 6 wedding websites!!

Now that we are on the WeddingWire network our "Julia's House" profile will come up in search engines for Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Wedding Bee, Project Bride & many more!!!

Also we are now accepting credit card payments!!!!

Last but not least a special thanks to everyone who lended in making this vision of mine a possibility. GREAT BIG THANKS to my husband & children who have supported me through the creative process as well as days & days of countless hours of editing to bring this to a reality. Thanks to Michelle Perrin for being a constant encouragement and light into my life. You teach me so much! Thanks to Corey Ford for your genuis technical support!! Thanks to Adrianne Lenker for lending us your sweet voice, and truly inspiring song. Thank you to Stacy Craig who not only has shared our excitement & enthusiasm about this project-but for illustrating me and making me look so darn cute! Thank you to all my clients & friends, especially those in my earlier years who have supported & encouraged me unwaiveringly!! Your words have taken root. Thank you, Thank you <3

Miss Minnesota International 2014---Gabrielle Taylor

MY FIRST BLOG POST!!!!!