Photography by Robin Joy, LLC

08/14/2021

It has been a long time since I have posted on this page. Finding the words for this post has not been easy. The last year has been such a roller coaster for me. After Covid hit and I was forced to take a step back, I realized just how stressed out I was. The break was refreshing for me. I absolutely love photography and all of the clients I have met along the way. However, owning a photography business is more than just taking pictures. There is a TON that goes on behind the scenes with editing, business, and marketing. I was burnt out.
Then I got pregnant and had a miscarriage. It was such a hard time for me. I never realized what people went through with miscarriages until I had one myself. I had such a hard time being around anyone pregnant. I was lost. It was right around the time that I posted the rainbow picture on my page (which I now believe was a sign from God of what was to come).
Fast forward a few months and I became pregnant again. The whole pregnancy I was so anxious and cautious. I ended up with preeclampsia and I delivered a month early. While the whole process was a scary one, I ended up with my rainbow baby. He is so precious, and I am so blessed to have him. I am enjoying every minute and soaking it all up.
So what does this mean for my photography business? After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided to take a step back from photography indefinitely. I suppose I have avoided posting because it was not a decision I have come to lightly and posting this message makes it real. I have come to love all of the families I have photographed. They feel like family to me, because I have been there for all of those big moments and I will truly miss being there for the future moments.
I am going to leave my page open, because who knows what the future holds. I just know that I want to be in the present with my family right now. Thank you so much to all of you who have joined me on this journey. I really appreciate all of your support along the way.
And to those of you who are struggling to conceive or have suffered through miscarriages, I see you and I will be praying for you. You are not alone. ❤️💛💚💙💜

“I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” says the Lord.
*Isaiah 66:9

10/04/2020

When your niece is born, you take a break from your break to photograph her! She is the cutest little peanut!!!!💗

07/23/2020

Here it is. The post that I have been dreading writing. It is hard for me to even find the words.
This year has been one of a lot of uncertainties. This is something that is not going to change in the coming months. I am not a person that does well with change and I have a fear of the unknown. I am an extremely anxious person as it is, and all of these unknowns are not helping with that. I know that there are so many that are in the same boat as me. After weighing out pros and cons between in person learning, e learning, and homeschool, I have decided that I am going to be teaching my son at home either through e learning or homeschooling. I am going to do my best to make this unfortunate experience a positive one for my son. For me, this means pouring my heart into my family and my son’s education right now. Because I want to give it my all, I have decided to step back from my photography business for the time being. This was an EXTREMELY difficult decision for me to make. The families I have photographed have become my friends. I have been photographing some of them since the beginning of my journey 9 years ago. It has been such a privilege documenting these special times and it is one that I do not take for granted.
So what does this mean for the future of Photography by Robin Joy? I honestly don’t know. For once in my life, I really don’t have a plan. With the pandemic, we are living life day by day right now, and you know what? I am actually okay with that for now. I don’t think I could deal with the stress of planning sessions four months in advance only for them to be canceled because of the phase we are in. And sessions in masks with social distancing? They are not for me. That is just not who I am. I genuinely enjoy the interactions with the children and with my families. Those interactions are what bring the photos alive. I love that I can look at a photo and hear the laugh of that child. For me, it is the most important piece of my company and it is missing right now. It was perhaps my favorite part. I don’t know when I will get that piece back again…..
So with a heavy heart, I am saying goodbye for now. Depending on how things go with the pandemic, I may offer random sessions here and there. I just no longer will be able to plan out months in advance.
For those who have trusted me time and time again and welcomed me into your families, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please keep in touch and send me pictures! Even if I am not the photographer, I enjoy seeing your children grow up! I will miss capturing the precious moments and milestones in your life.
Until I see your smiling faces again,

06/18/2020

I love profiles!

06/18/2020

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream."
~Sleeping Beauty

06/18/2020

The bond with a parent and each child is different, but filled with the same amount of love!❤️

06/17/2020

They are such a beautiful family! ❤️
Because of the pandemic, we had to postpone our session. I cannot believe how much these two kids have grown since our last session. It is always such a pleasure getting to document the different milestones.

06/16/2020

These two are so cute together. Big sister let me know that she loves her brother, but she does have to protect her stuff from him!😂

06/16/2020

Have you ever laughed so hard you cried? If not, you are missing out! I love the feeling of joy! I have never seen a baby do it though, until now! This guy was cracking himself up so much during our shoot. 😂
To see the world through a child is truly an amazing thing!

06/03/2020

I just wanted to make an announcement regarding future sessions:
When the whole pandemic began, I knew it was going to create a new normal. For photographers, this means keeping a distance and wearing masks while performing shoots with limited locations that have opened up. Most of the photography that I do includes families with young children. Those who have done a shoot with me know that I have never social distanced. I like to get down to the children’s levels and interact with them as I feel that they give the most genuine and authentic shots that way. As for my newborn sessions, I am constantly posing the baby and cannot really keep a social distance while doing that.
Also, during this time off, I realized just how stressed out I was with running a business. I am the sole person behind the business meaning I am doing it all: emails, prep, questionnaires, shooting, editing, updating taxes, etc. I didn’t realize just how much this was taking a toll on me.
Therefore, after giving it much thought, I have decided to take the summer off. During that time, I will be trying to figure out what this new normal means for both myself and my business. I will keep you updated when I start taking on sessions again. Until then, I am hoping to do some personal creative projects that I will be sharing on this page.
I know that I thank you for your support often, but I want you to know how much it means to me, so thank you. Enjoy your summer! I hope to see your smiling faces in the fall!
❤️,
Robin
*I will be reaching out to those who had sessions scheduled in March, April, and May. I will be fulfilling those sessions this summer.
*picture from last summer

06/02/2020

05/24/2020

In the darkest days, look for the rainbow of hope!🌈
*thanks to my sister, who informed me that the rainbow today was directly above my house!!!