Hi there! I'm Joy!

Joy with bride and groom at Itasca Country Club

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by cameras. My mom was always documenting life—freezing childhood moments in prints and recording videos. For my ninth birthday, I received my first camera. Game changer. Stepping behind the lens opened up a whole new world, and from that moment on, I was hooked. I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a camera… or two… or three!

Photography isn’t just a passion for me—it’s a way of life. My walls are filled with photos, my bookcases overflow with albums, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an empty frame in my home. To me, these aren’t just pictures; they’re cherished memories that turn a house into a home.

That’s exactly what I love giving to others—the gift of memories. Knowing that the moments I capture will be shared, treasured, and passed down for generations is what brings me the greatest joy.

But photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s about connection. I believe in building real relationships with my clients, especially my wedding couples. From your first inquiry to the moment you receive your custom USB and wedding album, we’ll spend a lot of time together. I don’t want to be just another vendor; I want to be a friend—someone you look forward to having by your side. On your wedding day, think of me as your unofficial bridesmaid, ready to capture the magic and help out wherever I can!

If I was allowed to live at
Disney World, I totally would!

Sound Bites

Joy hugging Hunter on beach in Washington State

My Happily Ever After

Lincoln Park Wedding, Amy Aiello, Joy Bijedic, chicago Wedding, honeycomb

We met at the very first wedding I ever photographed. Haris says it was love at first sight when he saw me at the bride’s house, capturing getting-ready photos. He had stopped by with another groomsman to move some cars to the hotel for later that evening. They were only there for a few minutes, but in that short time, he was smitten.

As the day went on, Haris found more and more ways to be by my side. His first move? The limo. Since she was a family friend, the bride knew I got carsick easily and always preferred to sit in the facing forward. So, when Haris climbed in, she made sure to tell him. Apparently, his crush on me was no secret—except to me. Without missing a beat, Haris kicked the other guy out of their seat and quickly claimed the back row before I even got in.

Next, he became the “Keeper of the Key.” Haris took it upon himself to hold onto the key that locked the bridal party room—the room where all the personal belongings were stored, including mine. That meant anytime someone needed anything, they had to go through Haris first. And of course, I jokingly started calling him the “Keeper of the Key” during the reception.

There were plenty of other small moments that day, but those are the ones that stood out the most. I guess his not-so-subtle stalking worked—because here we are today, happily married.

That’s our love story. I can’t wait to hear yours!