Today we’d like to introduce you to Laiken Joy.
Laiken Joy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, there were two things I couldn’t get enough of: watching nostalgic films with my mom and going through old photographs with my granny and mema. I got my first polaroid at the age of 5 or 6 and was never without a camera again. I was the queen of candids and was always developing film and creating albums for family and friends to see. My little sister and I would take my mom’s video camera and record home fashion shows, which we still rewatch to this day. In high school, I got into fashion and started planning photoshoots, styling my friends, and having them pose in random places around town or on the infamous hot pink wall in my bedroom. As I grew, so did my work and I really began to fall in love with the art of photography and creating something from inspiration and ideas.
I spent my early 20s traveling the world and this really forced me to create without my usual subjects, people. I’d stroll the streets from sun up to sun down photographing everything from storefronts to old cars, the details I felt made that particular place what it was. At 25, I moved to my favorite city in the world, New Orleans, and decided to take photography more serious than ever. During my time there, I met and created with some amazingly talented locals who I’m proud to call friends and continue to work with today. I also did quite a bit of work with Curren$y and Jet Life Apparel. This sense of community was really everything for me, especially being the gypsy that I am – deciding to stay in one place and build alongside the artists around me has done wonders in the short two years that I’ve been consistent in doing so. Though I love New Orleans and Louisiana will always be home, I felt like I wasn’t being challenged and needed to shake things up a bit, and that’s when I decided LA would be my next move, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was born in Lake Charles, La and raised in Antioch, TN – The South. When I was growing up, we didn’t have half the influence and guidance like they have today to pursue a career as an artist. Photography was always brushed off as a hobby or if you did have a career in it, you photographed newborns, weddings and graduating seniors – no shade, that is just not the route I wanted to take. I’ve always loved photography because I loved photography, not because it was cool or trending or whatever. Creating makes me happy, it’s something I do for me and no one could ever take that away so I was content with doing just that.
In 2016, I was in Havana and went out to this club one night that just so happened to be an art gallery, too. It was full of local artists’ work and the energy was contagious, I was instantly inspired. Something inside of me just clicked and I knew that it was time for me to challenge myself as an artist. As soon as I got back to the States, I began planning my first solo show, ‘Outside Your World’, which was held downtown Lake Charles in 2017. Fast forward, I had my second solo show, ‘Southern Hospitality’, in New Orleans at Axiom Art Gallery in 2019 and had a turnout one could only dream of. I said all that to say, the biggest challenge for me has been getting out of my own way and comfort zone to make things happen for myself. Often times I freak out because I feel like I should be further ahead, but the reality is I am exactly where I’m supposed to be and the more I understand that the more things begin to just happen organically for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Every single experience has made me the photographer I am today and it’s reflected. If I had to describe my work, I’d say it was raw and cinematic. I spend a lot of time location scouting prior to my shoots because I like the space to be just as alluring as the subject, it all deserves the chance to shine and coincide. Often, a location will catch my eye and I’ll build a shoot into it – everything from the model, styling and overall aesthetic.
I wouldn’t say I specialize in anything in particular because I don’t limit myself to what or whom I photograph. Sometimes I work with models and rappers, sometimes I pick up and take a three week road trip and photograph small towns. As long as I can capture the essence of whatever is in my view, I’m doing my job. Connecting with the subject is most important to me and makes a great difference in your work than just shoving a camera in someone’s face, no matter how experienced they may be in front of the camera.
Lately, I’ve been super proud of my growth and patience. The internet makes you feel like you have to keep up and constantly push out content and at one point, I fell into that, these days I’m just creating as I please and I can always see improvement in my work when I’m doing it for me. I also started shooting more film because it allows me to slow down and not fire the shutter a million times during a shoot, so even when I shoot digital again, I can see the difference from that alone.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I love being from the South, real talk. There is nothing like the food, the people and the way of living. I’m so thankful my mama taught me how to cook because I just know the food in LA will never compare haha I’ll be in good shape though. And as for me, honestly, I’ve never changed from who I am at the core, I just continue to grow as a person. I’ve always been outgoing, open-minded and multifaceted. I’ve never put myself in a box to be one thing and stay there, I think that’s the worst possible thing you can do to yourself. I began traveling at a young age and that really expanded my way of thinking. So between travel and growing up in a huge, huge family, I know how to adapt to whatever is thrown my way. In school, I was cool with everyone. I played soccer, was homecoming queen, class president, in art club, got detention a few times and volunteered whenever I could. I’d take photos during class, pep rally’s, rush from my own soccer practice to the football or basketball sideline to capture whatever game was going on. And one thing I’ve always prided myself in was that everyone was included, I made sure everyone had a chance to be photographed. I swear I contributed 75% of the photos to the yearbook each and every year. Always in the mix, always with a camera.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@laikenjoy.com
- Website: www.LaikenJoy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/laikenjoy
Image Credits
Main photo is taken by Kewon Hunter Photo
