Author: joyleighphotography

A wife, mom of two girls, and a photographer who create memories from behind my lens. I've been taking pictures for over 10 years ranging anywhere from magazine content, engagement and weddings, to family and kids. If you have any photography needs in Alabama or Mississippi, I'd love to work with you!

Sowell Sisters | Children

Let’s be honest here. I take pictures of my girls each and every day. But, I’ve always hired other photographers to take the big moments of their lives — newborn, birthday, family, etc sessions. My husband, family, and friends have always asked why I don’t take them on big occasions myself? Well, I finally decided I’d take Lenley’s 1st birthday pictures and see how it goes. You know how your own children are your best and worst clients? So we will see how her smash cake session goes in the coming days.

I still love someone else taking our family pictures. So we will still try to have someone else take our family photo every year.

Here are some of the girls that I took Sunday afternoon. The ones of Lenley will be part of her first birthday pictures.

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Laura & Sheffield| Mommy & Me

I met Laura through instagram when we were both pregnant with our littles. It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year ago, and now we both have our babies (almost toddlers) here with us.

She messaged me about doing a mommy & me session a few weeks ago, and we made it happen yesterday afternoon. It was HOT, I’m talking Alabama August HOT (it’s only June). However, that didn’t stop that sweet little man from giving me plenty of smiles.

Here are a few of my favorites from their session.

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I loved captured these sweet moments for a lifetime of memories!

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Alaina & Matt | Engaged

I’ve shot quite a few engagements, but never a surprise engagement. But that’s exactly what happened last Saturday night.

I got a text from a friend, Julie, asking if I would be available the next evening. When she told me it was going to be a surprise engagement — I got butterflies. I’d never shot a surprise engagement before, and didn’t really have a lot of details so I was a bit nervous to say the least. But, after conversing by text with the client I started to get excited!

The bride-to-be had a canceled and then rescheduled flight, so the proposal that was supposed to take place at five in the evening, it ended up happening at ten at night!

Everything turned out perfect. She was surprised, there were many tears of joy, and the setting at American Village was a gorgeous background for their pictures.

I’m excited to be their official photographer for the wedding, too.

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Welcome to Joy Leigh Photography

I’m Joy. The photographer behind the lens. I photographed my first wedding in 2006 and I guess you could say I was hooked. Since then, I’ve not only photographed engagements and weddings, but was also the editor and a photographer for a social magazine in Mississippi for four years. In 2012 I got married and moved to Alabama with my husband and we began our life here. We’ve got two amazing little girls who keep us on our toes, but I guess that’s pay back for me keeping them in front of my lens day in and day out.

I’ve been blessed with clients who are a dream to work with. They don’t mind my funny requests or my silly voices to make their kiddos smile. I’ve even put some in some crazy locations just so we could create the perfect shot. But, I couldn’t do what I love without those sweet clients who recommend me to their friends and family.

You’ll see me posting a lot of my kids, because I’m with them daily. But, you’ll also get to see some of my favorites from sessions. So I hope you’ll visit, and visit often. You never know what you’ll see me posting about next!

Til next time…
Joy

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