Ahlquist graduated from Winona State University in southeast Minnesota with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in mass communications with an emphasis in photojournalism and a minor in history. Ahlquist's work regularly appears in the Post Bulletin newspaper as well as their website. His work also appears on news websites across the country. Joe also regularly posts to social media (links below). When Ahlquist isn't working he likes to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking, making pictures, hanging out with friends and family, or spending time with his wife and their cat, June.