Meet Joy Walsh | Photographer & Film Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Walsh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Connection is the most important part of my brand and my personal identity. Whether I’m taking boudoir photos of a woman whose breasts are on full display or interviewing a first generation immigrant whose never been in front of a camera before speaking about their life. Connecting emotional and mentally will make all the difference to the person on the other side of the lens. It helps them be the most authentic version of themselves and that’s what I pride my brand in. I can’t tell you how good it feels when folks to me ” Thank you for making me feel so comfortable.” or “You made this so much fun.” and thats what brings more business to me. Folks telling other folks of their experience working and creating with me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art feels a lot like my name, joyful. I love colors! I’m obsessed with a good color palette, and using them to express the subject’s essence. I love human stories, too. I really take pride in getting people to see the most cinematic versions of themselves or a role that they are meant to play. My photography and narrative films are so different then my non-fiction content in many ways but one; My ability to display the subject’s authenticity.

I didn’t always want to be a Film Maker or Photographer. I was professionally singing and preforming since I was 6 years old. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school, when I had surgery on my vocal chords for a cyst and really couldn’t sing for a while, that I decided to make a pivot. I wanted to try being behind the camera instead of in front of it. So while attending college for TV and Radio broadcasting, I picked up a canon rebel t5i and I started shooting! That felt like power in my hand. I made videos and took pictures, some good, some bad but I was progressing so fast. My first generation Bajan-American New York girlhood experience was the perspective I used to express my art. My family quickly became my muses, still are.

I interned and found an affinity for directing. TV Broadcasting helped me step into non-fiction storytelling. After earning my associates, another pivot into Film Production for my Bachelors. After winning awards through touring my thesis short film, working on a major television show and two year video producing job for a non-profit black owned tech company, I pivoted… into motherhood; and what a ride that is.

My most valuable lessons is to maintain flexibility; BE LIKE WATER. This is a marathon, not a race. I want people to see my work and all the different types of art I produce and say “She’s got a great eye for people.” Who I am is in my work but it’s only measured by how much my subject’s who they are or who they are portraying.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If its New York City/Long island? I’m an old lady so I’m going to recommend good food and chill vibes. In the city, I’m definitely headed to the West village for some cute brownstones and the chaos of Washington Square park and this Vietnamese place called Saigon Shack has the best oxtail pho. I’m all about museums so if you haven’t gone to the MOMA or Museum of Natural History, its a must. I am a Brooklyn girl so there’s several good vibe spots like Lips Cafe which superb food, fire art and events on certain nights. Since a week long trip, you’ve got time to rent a car and hit out east too for some beautiful scenery and fire seafood, My favorite spot is “Lobster Roll aka Lunch”, thats the name of the restaurant. I be all over New York City and Long Island, I love it here, theres vibes for everyone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. That includes made family which is my husband and son, and my given family, my mom, dad and sisters. I’ve always received so much encouragement and support from them. They believe in me so hard that they are the only people that can push past my own imposter syndrome. When I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, they’ve already congratulated me as the winner. My mom has fed my creativity since a little girl wanting to be a singer. My sister has been in so many of my early videos, films and photos, using her own talents to help me soar. Even dancing while pregnant in a film! My dad prays religiously for me, and I feel it. And my husband, what a man! He is my rock and my number one cheerleader, he takes care of everything so I can create. My heart for the last 13 years, He’s been with me since I really got started in my media career. My son who has renewed me and remade me in ways a can’t explain. His raw, innocent love for me as transformed my very being and I can’t be more grateful to him. I am blessed beyond belief.

Website: https://www.joytrishawalsh.com

Instagram: @sunshinesama

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-walsh-director-producer-photographer/

Youtube: joywalshfilms

Image Credits
Correo Baker – Model