Meet Carmela Joy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmela Joy.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Absolutely! My photography journey started six years ago during my senior year in high school. I randomly decided to take yearbook class as one of my elective classes and I volunteered to take photos at school events for this class. I didn’t personally own a camera at the time, so I used my dad’s little point and shoot camera to shoot. The more and more sporting events and school events I would shoot, the more and more I fell in love with interacting with the people in front of the camera and capturing the different emotions felt by them. Eventually, I decided to buy myself my first DSLR camera! While I was still photographing school events, I also started photographing my friends and family to practice and to be able to get more creative.

After I graduated high school and throughout college, people started asking me to take their senior photos which then lead to family photos, engagements and finally weddings! After my third wedding, I knew that weddings were my passion. Afterwards, I graduated from ASU and became a full-time wedding coordinator at a venue in Peoria! I really wanted to learn the ins and outs of weddings and learn as much as I can about the wedding world. After one year of learning so much and being a wedding coordinator, I decided to jump into wedding photography full time and it was the best decision I ever made!

Please tell us about your art.
My art is the art of photography! More specifically, photographing love. Why do love photography? The reason I love photography is simple – I love people and I love stories. I am passionate about capturing the genuine interactions, spontaneous moments, and candid’s that make every couples’ personality and love unique. When a couple asks me to join them on one of the best days of their lives, it is something I take great responsibility and joy in. When people see my photos, my hope is that they are able to see and feel the authenticity, goofiness, and happiness found in my couples. When I see the way my couples laugh together, the way they look at each other, and their wild passion for each other – I see their love as a work of art and it’s such an honor to capture those moments!

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Very true! Being your own boss and working alone during most days of the week can definitely make you feel lonely at times. My advice to other artists is to intentionally reach out to other artists and maybe schedule a coffee/tea date just to get to know each other. In my experience, I have reached out to several photographers or vendors in the wedding industry and they have been happy to meet with me just to hang out and get to know each other. Something else that I have done is purposefully introduce myself to all the vendors at a wedding that I am shooting and chat with them! I am so blessed to have made so many friends who are vendors that I have met while shooting a wedding! Facebook groups are always helpful too! There are so many different groups out there that may be a great place for you to connect with others.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My photographs can be found on my website, blog, and Instagram! If you feel like supporting my work, please feel free to give me a follow-on Instagram!

Website: www.carmelajoy.com
Blog: www.carmelajoy.com/blogmain
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carmelajoyphotography

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carmelajoy.com
• Phone: 623-256-4526
• Email: info@carmelajoy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carmelajoyphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/carmelajoyphotography

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