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Jennifer Judkins

@jjuds

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In the early winter last year I was scanning and organizing old family photos when I came across this photo. It’s my mother’s aunt and uncle, my great aunt and uncle. Billy and Edna. I knew Edna late in her life. She lived on the first floor of my papa’s’ house in Cambridge, MA.

Then I saw this newspaper clipping (2nd slide). That’s interesting. My great uncle was a photo engraver? Then I find another clipping (3rd slide). He was a photo engraver at the Boston Globe? My first thought was - wild that not one person in my family thought to tell me this. Yes, I’m a photographer and have worked in the photo industry for over 25 years, but also, I built our entire family tree. Back to the 1630’s!

Google defines photo engravers as skilled craftsman in the prepress printing trade, transforming photographs and artwork into metal relief plates (like zinc, magnesium, or copper) for letterpress printing. It was a physical, precise job combining darkroom photography, chemistry, and hand-tool finishing. I haven’t been able to confirm this, but my mom believes Billy died from his exposure to these chemicals.

I took a day off earlier this year and went to the Boston Public library to research Billy to see if I could learn more about his work at the Globe. I could hardly find a thing about him. The Globe didn’t call out engravers in the paper. My mother and I figured out he likely worked there from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. In the 40’s he made $1500/year (around $34,712 today).

I recently went to visit my mom’s sister, my aunt Linda. While I was there I said “what can you tell me about your uncle Billy?” She said “I can tell you we have all his pictures down in the basement.” My jaw was on the floor. She went down and brought up beautiful albums of Billy’s work from his time in the Navy. To really cap it off, a photo of him with his camera! His work is so so great. I’m so glad I finally got to see a little bit of it.

Anyways, ask your family questions or dig around. They don’t even know they have the good stuff! by @jjuds

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2 months ago

✨Spring things✨ by @jjuds

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3 months ago

Hello!

Something exciting is happening very soon.

In August, I’ll be packing up my apartment and hitting the road for a new adventure.
For 10 months I’ll be living with friends and family across the US.

- Have a new home every 2-4 weeks
- Live in nine states
- Travel through 28+ states

Places I’ll be: Massachusetts, New York (city + state), Florida, California, Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona

There will be adventures, coffee, parks, sunsets, stories, photographs, animals, flowers, and so much life.

Want to follow along? The first newsletter is planned for late August. If you want to receive it, send me a DM with your email address.

Here’s to a beautiful adventure!
xJenn by @jjuds

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3 months ago

Nova Scotia, 2026✨🫶 by @jjuds

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4 months ago

My niece Alexis graduated high school yesterday. I could not be more proud and excited for her future.

It’s been a joy watching her experience senior year. I remember so much about that time in my life. How is she already here?

I often find it hard to believe how fast time moves. I still remember the first time she introduced someone to me as her friend. I thought “you have friends that aren’t us (family)?” Now her life is full of family, friends, sunshine and activities.

This fall she’ll start college, majoring in health science with the goal of becoming a sonographer. Her choosing a healthcare major will shock no one who has know her since childhood. She used to take care of my dad in his last years (see video).

If you’re up for it, leave her a note of congrats and/or advice for the future in the comments below.

Love you Lex! 💗💞❤️💗💞❤️💗 by @jjuds

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4 months ago

My dad died 13 years ago today. I never usually put any energy on today, but I’ve been thinking of him this week. I came across comments friends and family made on his obituary, one of which felt like the best way to describe him:

Chet was one of the most wonderful fathers I’ve ever seen. He was so loving of everyone around him, and he always made me feel like family.

I was fortunate to spend today with a friend who never knew my dad and I got to tell her all about him. It was so nice to share stories of his life again and let someone get to know him. I’ll celebrate his life as we always do on his birthday in August, eating lobster in swimsuits by the pool. Love ya dad. ❤️ by @jjuds

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9 months ago

Happy 18th birthday to my sweet baby niece Alexis! 💫🥳💗 she is kind and smart, a great hang in the summer by the pool, and she loves my cooking. I love you so much and wish you a beautiful year ahead. 😘 by @jjuds

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9 months ago

January 1, 2026☀️🌊 by @jjuds

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10 months ago

Most action packed 24hrs of the year 💫 (and we got a choir too! 😭👏) by @jjuds

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10 months ago

A few months ago I hired a lovely human named Sydney to start scanning our family archives. Over the years our family photos diminished due to a series of unfortunate water events, but what we do have is very fun. I hope to share more of these gems in the future, but for now please enjoy our cute four top. ❤️ by @jjuds

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2 years ago

Today is the 10 year anniversary of Saturday Selfies. A completely made up weekend tradition between myself and my college roommate Liz. A proof of life if you will.

If you’ve been with either of us on a Saturday, it’s likely you’re in a few of them. Even rarer is when we get to be in each others!

There are almost 1000 images. I’ll share a few in my stories. Enjoy! And do fun things with your friends always!🤗 by @jjuds

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2 years ago

Sweet baby Otto’s birth is now up! @birthmoments More of Sarah’s beautiful birth in my stories❤️ by @jjuds

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2 years ago