MunaLuchi Coterie member and wedding & event destination photographer, LaJoy Cox of LaJoy Photography has been an avid photographer since the age of fourteen. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, LaJoy Photography firmly established itself within the photography industry in 2012. With a documentary style approach LaJoy’s portfolio not only features wedding events but also covers brand, Boudoir, sports, and model photography. Motivated by the love for her children, LaJoy measures success by “the smiles we make.” With a keen eye for composition LaJoy Photography is certain to capture the most memorable moments of your most special of days.
Learn all about LaJoy Photography in this insightful and inspiring in-depth interview.
“…I find my inspiration in the stories I learn from the bride & groom’s family on wedding day…” ~ LaJoy Cox
Name: LaJoy Cox
Business Name: LaJoy Photography
Founded: 2012
Describe your business. My business is a wedding photography company. However I like to think of my company as being so much more. I consider myself a documentary wedding photographer that captures all the special little moments of the day most people forget about and don’t think anyone is paying attention to. I am also a brand photographer, Boudoir photographer, sports photographer, and model photographer. I take on many different jobs throughout the year, weddings just happen to be the focus for my company right now.
What did you do before starting your business in the wedding industry? Before starting my business I was a student and had changed my major many times looking for something that made me feel the way photography does. I had worked at over 30 different companies and different positions and never found anything as fulfilling as photography. To be honest I was lost and was the one person in the family that when asked “so what have you been up to?” The answer always changed. From bartending to customer service and retail I never found anything that was enough. So I started my own company.
How long have you been in the wedding industry? I have been dabbling in photography since I was 14 years old. I always loved it I just didn’t know how I would make money by doing something that made me so happy. I moved to Atlanta GA and started my company a little over 4 years ago.
How would you describe your style? My style of wedding photography is documentary. I like helping my clients capture their special moments without actually being a part of the day. I don’t want my clients to think of their first kiss at the alter and think…oh yeah LaJoy was right there. I should be able to capture the moment without being apart of it.
What motivates you? My children motivate me to make something special for them. I want to be able to show them that they can do anything if they work hard, and that if they put forth a lot of effort they can have it all.
Another thing that motivates me is the satisfaction of my clients. Knowing that I made someone’s day very special lets me know I am doing something right. Having a bride hug me at the end of the night and say to me “you made my day so amazing”. This makes me get up the next day and edit like crazy. I love making people smile.
Why should brides/grooms choose you? Brides and grooms should choose a photographer that they connect with and feel comfortable with. Someone they can relate to and they believe that will be able to capture their day and tell their story the way they want it told. They should book me if they want their story told and be able to have a relaxing fun day as well. I am perfect for brides that love my work and want me to let the day happen and capture it from every angle.
How does your company define and measure success? My company measures success by the smiles we make. Not the amount of money I make. I book my brides based on the connection we have. I have referred brides and grooms to other photographers because I knew they would be a better fit for that photographer. I want to make sure my brides are happy so accepting a pay check from someone I know is better suited for someone else is just wrong in my eyes.
What do you enjoy most about your work? I enjoy knowing that everyday that I leave my home to go to work I enjoy being there. No matter how many hours I work and how tired I may be when I return home. I am enjoying being a business owner and being an amazing example for my children.
Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry. My proudest moment was watching myself work a wedding under my company on the TV show Married At First Sight Season 3. I watched the episodes I was in and cried because I couldn’t believe I had made that a reality by myself. I read books and studied and took photography classes to make sure I could excel in the wedding photography industry and when I got the phone call to book that job I couldn’t believe my dreams were coming true. What makes me even prouder is having the opportunity to shoot another TV show wedding I can’t even discuss yet because the show hasn’t aired. I have worked so hard I am so happy to see my brand and business grow.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work? My bride told me that without me being present at her wedding she would’ve never got to relive the experience. Good moments and bad. As a documentary wedding photographer I capture everything and when my brides look back even the crazy moments are something to laugh at.
What are your business goals? I think that I am already in the process of meeting my business goals. My main goal as a wedding photographer was to travel to weddings all over the world. So far I have booked weddings in four different states and I hope the next year will bring many more weddings in amazing places. I simply want to build a company I can be proud to leave to my children one day.
What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry? My favorite thing about weddings is the love story. I love to think that everyone has that special someone out there and when I capture a couple that genuinely looks and acts like they love each other in every way I feel like I got front row seats to their love story. It’s like watching an amazing movie and you get to sit in the front row and get all the behind the scenes info.
Describe your vision of the “perfect” wedding. The perfect wedding is a wedding between a bride and groom that love each other unconditionally and aren’t afraid to show it. As long as there is love within the couple capturing it is never a problem.
Where do you find the most inspiration? I think I find my inspiration in the stories I learn from the bride & groom’s family on wedding day. The bridesmaids’ touching stories while the bride is getting dressed. The groomsmen’s tales of crazy times in college and drunken nights with the groom are always hilarious. Then comes toast time and someone always makes me cry. I love to hear the stories that go along with my couples from their loved ones.
Follow LaJoy Photography here!
[…] It was very cold that day, as it was in mid-January and we wanted to take our pictures outside, but LaJoy made it a lot of […]