We were lucky to catch up with Joy Henderson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joy, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In order to be successful, it comes down to whether or not a person is self-motivated at their core. We’re all different, but I just happen to be one of the few photographers in my area who look like me. Fortunately, we are not our circumstances. It used to bother me a lot but I’ve promised myself that I won’t quit building a legacy for my children and the rest of my family. It starts from within. Over the past few years I’ve experienced a great deal of growth; be that through life experience or my growing collection of self-help books. I’ve learned not to take certain things personally or too seriously. If you find yourself feeling inhibited by the fact that you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, it might be worth it to go on a personal development journey.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Joy and I’m a wedding photographer based in Houston Texas. I create romantic, emotive imagery for couples that lead with their heart. One of my favorite things about weddings is seeing how different people connect with each other. Though our backgrounds, family ties, and experiences are different, we all value connection and surrounding ourselves with love. I’m truly drawn to couples that value family and tradition. By pairing my love for romance and art I’m able to craft images that celebrate life’s joys.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three things that have made the most impact in my entrepreneurship journey are investing in myself, becoming comfortable with saying no, and expressing gratitude for where I’m presently at. If you’re beginning your journey, my best advice is to trust yourself. Trust yourself enough to know that you’ll always be able to make a return on your investment. Trust that you know what’s for you and what’s worth saying no to. Trust that if you appreciate where you are now you’ll be ready for what’s to come.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the last year, I’ve been doing a lot more networking and connecting with my community. My network has grown exponentially. They say if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together. I’m extremely grateful for the friendships that I’ve made with other people who are just as passionate about weddings as I am. I truly believe that laying a solid foundation by building a strong network is the key to longevity and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://forjoyphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/forjoyphotography
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/forjoyphotography
- Other: https://pinterest.com/forjoyphotography
