In-Depth Interview with LaJoy Photography -Munaluchi Bride

MunaLuchi Coterie member and professional photographer, LaJoy Cox of LaJoy Photography, has been an Atlanta-based wedding photographer for over six years. Available world-wide and specializing in documentary style wedding photography, LaJoy is motivated by the heartfelt gratitude her work provides for her clients, “It makes me smile and reminds me why I set out to do this as a career. The biggest thank you I can get is when a bride proudly posts her photos for her family and friends to see…” Read all about LaJoy Photography below in this informative and inspiring in-depth interview.

Name: LaJoy Cox
Business Name: LaJoy Photography

Describe your business. My name is LaJoy Cox and I am a wedding Photographer based in the Atlanta area that specializes in Documentary Wedding Photography. We travel worldwide providing brides with timeless wedding day photos.

What did you do before starting your business in the wedding industry? Before I started my wedding photography business I was lost. I worked a ton of different jobs and bounced around a lot trying to find something that would make me happy. It was extremely hard to step out on faith and start this chapter in my life but i am glad that I did. I had no idea that I could turn my passion for photography into a business that would one day support my family.

How long have you been in the wedding industry? I have been a wedding photographer in the Atlanta area for 6 years. My business began focusing on family and children photography but shifted after shooting my first wedding after my second year in business. A couple of years ago I started traveling all over the world shooting weddings and I love every moment of it.

How would you describe your style? My style of photography is Documentary. I love to capture beautiful moments but I do not like being a part of them. I love for my photos to be full of fun, emotion and contrast! I love using contrast when editing my images and capturing fun moments with the wedding party and guests during the reception. I try to stay as far back as I can from special moments like the first kiss but love to make sure I’m apart of the action at the reception.

What motivates you? The one thing that motivates me are my brides’ smiles. I love to hear them excited and happy about their photos. I love when they share the images on social media and I love to get emails and text messages telling me how much they loved the images. It makes me smile and reminds me why I set out to do this as a career. The biggest thank you I can get is when a bride proudly posts her photos for her family and friends to see.

Why should brides/grooms choose you? I know that brides/grooms who decide to choose me as their photographer do so because they want a personal touch during their engagement session and on wedding day. They also want to know that when they reach out to their photographer they will get a response, and no matter what, I make myself available to work with them.

How does your company define and measure success? Our success is measured by how full my calendar is with happy brides and grooms. I could book more brides and grooms however I don’t want to book brides just because they are willing to pay. I want to book brides and grooms because they trust me with their memories. Client satisfaction is what makes me successful. When I receive 5 star ratings I look at those as successful moments.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The one thing that I enjoy the most is definitely the reception on wedding day. I love when the day has been a huge success, the bride/groom are both happy and now it is time to dance and enjoy the evening. Watching the bride/groom dance with family & friends and enjoy the day is the best part of the wedding day for me.

Describe a proud moment while working in the wedding industry. I think the best moment for me was the day that I was booked for a Netflix show that will be airing next year. I was able to shoot 4 weddings for the show and help push my company name that much further. I was proud of myself for booking the show based on my portfolio and reputation as a great photographer to work with.

What’s the best compliment you’ve received for your work? A bride started to cry when looking at a photo of herself and her new husband and when she hugged me it made me so happy and emotional at the same time. I hadn’t even edited the image but she was overwhelmed with joy.

What are your business goals? I have added wedding videography to my company and now my new goal is to be able to help more brides get the same LaJoy Photography feel from my amazing team of photographers. I want to take my education platform to the next level. I also would love to shoot my first cover for a magazine in the near future. I know I’m capable of the amazing task I just need to be given the opportunity.

What’s your favorite part of the wedding industry? My favorite part of the wedding industry is the amazing opportunity I have had being able to teach other photographers how to take their businesses to the next level with my Education Platform. I love knowing I inspire other people to step out on faith and grow.

What’s your least favorite part of the wedding industry? I think my least favorite part of the industry is that once the wedding day is over I don’t see my clients again for another 9 months to two years when it is time for maternity photos. I really build a relationship with these brides and become a part of their lives.

Describe your vision of the “perfect” wedding. The perfect wedding for me is any wedding where the bride and groom enjoyed themselves from beginning to end. Smiles and good times is what makes a perfect wedding day in my eyes. It helps make sure the photos will be amazing. Happy tears are always welcome during any wedding day also.

Where do you find the most inspiration? I find the most inspiration for business in the community of amazing photographers I can honestly say I have become close to and support me at every turn in my career.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know? I would love for everyone to know that being a wedding photographer for me is like having a front row seat and behind the scenes pass to the best love stories. I get to witness love up close and in person and because I have a camera in hand I get to capture all of the great moments.