Hello and thank you for considering Stout Studios! We have a deep passion for the fleeting moment. We are drawn to love, laughter, energy and light. We strongly believe in honest photography and understand it is our responsibility to document your story, without becoming part of the story.
My name is Jessica VanTassel. In 2005 I established Stout Photography and in just a few years, we quickly grew to be one of the busiest wedding photography studios, photographing nearly 1000 weddings. In 2014, after graduating SCAD University with a major in photography, Kara joined the team as an associate photographer. In 2016 we added Chris and Holly as assistant photographers. In 2017, as our team had established as a multi-photographer studio so we decided to change our name to Stout Studios. Together with Chris, Holly, Kara and my husband Eric, we make up Stout Studios.
Photography is an extension of our hearts and minds and we simply couldn’t imagine life without a camera. We are fortunate to document weddings all over the world! From an intimate wedding in a small town to a large destination wedding and anything in between, we are excited to document the love and energy that will unfold at your wedding.
Jessica
Owner + Lead Photographer
In 2015 I married my childhood pen-pal under a 200-year-old tree in Jacksonville, Florida.
I had my first dog, Buddy, for 13 years. He passed in 2016. I now have two Goldendoodle's, Templeton and Bernard that are the most adorable sweet balls of fluff you'll ever see. We also have two cats (one is a Polydactyl) I like cats. I LOVE dogs.
One of my favorite smells is a tennis ball.
In 2015, I began competing in body building competitions and discovered I have a passion for fitness and nutrition.
I photographed 500 weddings before I turned 30.
I am the youngest of four children.
I’ll do just about anything for a good picture. Will you?
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Kara
Lead Photographer
In 2014 I graduated from SCAD University having majored in Fine Arts Photography.
I adopted a wonderful dog, Tyson in 2012 but lost him to cancer in 2016. Since then, I adopted Ruger and Luna, the Border Collie duo.
I grew up fishing with my family and am now considered a seafood connoisseur!
If I'm not at the dog park you might find me camping in the Carolina's.
I've explored miles of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
I hang out with my parents almost everyday. They're cool, I promise!
In addition to photography my other creative passion is painting and crafting.
Nothing makes me happier than when I'm with any dog!
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Chris
Lead Photographer
I fell in love with photography in high school when I took a class on black-and-white film photography.
In 2012, I graduated college with a degree in singing.
I can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute.
I love most forms of art especially visual arts, music, and drama.
Go Cubs!
I always have a song stuck in my head.
I love meeting new people and hearing their stories.
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Eric
Assistant Photographer
Jess introduced me to photography in 2010 when we began dating. I've been shooting weddings with Jess since 2012.
Go Broncos!
Go Noles!
When I can and as often as possible, I like to fish for bass.
I adopted a cat outside my apartment many years ago. His name is Tyler (after Steven Tyler) and we are pretty fond of one another.
I love experimenting with light and interesting vantage points at weddings.
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Holly
Assistant Photographer
My very first job was at a photo lab when I was 16 years old. It was then that I fell in love with photography
I started my career as a personal trainer in 2007 and opened my own gym in 2016.
I compete in the figure division of body building and have placed top 5 nationally several times.
My heart belongs to animals, photography and fitness almost equally.
I love how well rounded wedding photography is. It gives you the best of both words between portraits and capturing moments.