Today we’d like to introduce you to Laiken Joy.
Hi Laiken , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a thing for visuals. Growing up, I was obsessed with old family photo albums and classic films like Grease, Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, and Ghost. From the fashion to the music, I’ve always been drawn to vintage aesthetics—I’m a deeply sentimental and nostalgic person at heart.
As a kid, I was the one directing my cousins and sisters, dressing them up and filming everything on VHS tapes. That instinct never left. I became “the girl with the camera,” documenting parties, concerts, and random outings, then rushing home to make photo albums and upload everything online. I moved into the MySpace era by styling my friends and taking their profile pics—just early 2000s girls on the new internet. I remember watching America’s Next Top Model and thinking, “Yeah, I could do that—but I want to be the one behind the camera.” Then I discovered Helmut Newton in high school and fell in love with his boldness. That was when I really started shaping my own visual style.
It’s evolved over time, but one thing that’s stayed consistent is the rawness. I like people to look how they look, to be exactly who they are. I’m not interested in perfect.
Fun fact: my high school photography teacher, Mr. Guy, hated me. I constantly challenged his technical rules and pushed boundaries. I’ll never forget the project that set him off the most—an homage to Helmut Newton featuring my best friend Shannon, completely nude but concealed by shadows and strategic hand placement. He was furious, but technically it followed all his rules… so I got an A+.
Photography has always grown alongside me—it was never something I chased or forced. It was just part of my life, like my morning coffee or Monday night family dinners.
I spent my 20s traveling, falling in love with cities and people—sometimes fleetingly, sometimes deeply. For two years, I didn’t photograph a single person up close, just street photography as I roamed. That chapter ended when I began working with my first musician, Curren$y. Collaborating with him pushed me to focus more on the business side of things, and I loved the direction it took me in. As a kid, one of my favorite things was opening a new CD and flipping through the visual booklet. It still blows my mind that I now create album covers and shoot artists I grew up listening to.
Art and self-expression have always been at the center of my life. Whether it was film, music, or fashion, I was just living—chasing whatever fascinated me, whatever I loved.
Speaking for that 15-year-old girl with a camera and a knockoff Chanel bag from her first trip to NYC—I’m endlessly grateful I followed this path. Photography has taken me to incredible places, and it’s just getting started.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road—and honestly, I’ve been my biggest roadblock. The art itself comes easy. I take a million photos a day in my mind just walking or driving through the city. The vision has never been the issue—it’s the personal side, the balancing act of life as an artist, that’s been the challenge.
We all go through seasons, right? For me, my clearest and most inspired visions come from simply living—watching films, listening to music, paying attention to the small things. But I’ve learned I can’t create from a dark place. I’ve been through a few of those, and while they were hard, I now understand why they had to happen—and I’m thankful to be on the other side of them.
In today’s world of social media and instant gratification, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. But the truth is, the only thing that counts is whether you love the work you’re creating. It’s not for anyone else but you—and those who connect with it? Those are your people.
Take breaks. Reinvent yourself. Let your style evolve with you. We’re not meant to reach one peak and stay there forever. Creative blocks aren’t the end—they’re just part of the process.
So no, it’s not an easy road, no matter what the specific challenges are. But it’s a damn good one.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer, and I shoot with whatever’s in my hand at the time—digital, film, or even my phone. I’ve recently gotten over my fear of video and have been having a lot of fun with Super 8. I’m also gearing up for my directorial debut this summer… you heard it here first, folks! [laughs]
I work with a lot of musicians—most notably Curren$y, Ambré, Saba, PJ Morton, and Sophia Galaté. I specialize in everything from album rollouts and single covers to behind-the-scenes moments in the studio, on video sets, and during live performances.
What I really appreciate is that the artists I collaborate with let me be a fly on the wall and give me full creative freedom. It means the world to be trusted like that—and to know they’re choosing me because of my style. It rarely feels like work. I still get excited every time a new project comes up, and I pray that feeling never fades.
Beyond client work, I’m always developing personal projects. One in particular has been in the works for 10 years, and it’s finally coming to life as a book and exhibition in winter 2025. It feels surreal that it’s finally happening, and I can’t wait to release it into the world.
If I had to say what sets me apart, it’s the way I make people feel while we’re shooting. I’ve been told time and time again that I’m easy to work with and that I help people feel comfortable in front of the camera. To me, the chemistry between photographer and subject is just as important as technical skill or vision.
My work is raw and timeless. It’s not about trends or flashy edits—it has soul.
The project I’m most proud of is this upcoming book. I’ve poured so much care into every single detail. It honors the South—where I come from—the women who raised me, and the women still to come. It’s going to be something truly special.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I just hope this inspires at least one person. I know how heavy the pressure can feel if you let it in—but truly, just be yourself and love what you do every day. The rules are fake. Have fun. Try new mediums, new styles—whatever your heart is drawn to.
And something I’ve recently had to learn myself: no one can appreciate your art if they don’t know it exists. So share it. Be proud of it. Let it be seen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LaikenJoy.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/LaikenJoy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laikenjoy
Image Credits
All images taken by Laiken Joy
