March 6, 2017

Meet Alana Joyner of ABJ Photography in Roswell

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Joyner.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Alana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My interest in photography began in high school, but I did not actually start my own business until we moved to Atlanta in 2008. I began photographing weddings with my husband, worked for both Governor Perdue and Governor Deal as their in-house photographer, and when I left the Governor’s office I began shooting more family and pet photography sessions. My passion for pet photography really began after losing my black lab, Tess, to cancer. As I grieved her loss I wanted to channel that energy into helping other labs find homes. I began volunteering with Atlanta Lab Rescue in September 2012, taking photos of the dogs for their website and Facebook page, and that is where my love for pet photography really began. Dog lovers are “my people”! My two dogs are a part of our family, and the love that so many adoptive families had shown for the rescue dogs really lead me to want to show those bonds during family sessions. Something else that I have had the honor of doing are sessions for dogs who are at the end of their lives. These sessions are often the sweetest and most wonderful experiences, and I know that the images captured during those sessions will be cherished long after they have to say goodbye to their companion. Not all of my photo sessions include both, some are just families or only pets, but getting to work with each is a true joy!

Has it been a smooth road?
Trying to compete as a photographer in the Atlanta area is not easy! The market has been saturated with photographers, and the introduction of digital photography and cameras on phones has only increased the interest of budding photographers of all ages. It can be challenging to make a living, set yourself apart from the masses, and most creatives are not also known for business management skills.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the ABJ Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in family and pet photography. Most of my clients come to me because I am comfortable with dogs in the photos and can get natural images. That can be hard with pets or kids involved! Most of all, I love focusing on families with pets because I can relate and want to capture those milestones for my family as well. I am set apart from other photographers because I am priced below others with as much experience. I did that not because my quality of work is less, but because I cut out a lot of the baggage that can come from competing with other photographers and running a business…I keep it simple, just photos and some images to use as they wish.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Photography is everywhere! I have seen a slight transition back to film, for those seeking something out of the norm. Some photographers realize that the quality of film photography is really unmatched. And, I hope that if anything people stay interested in photography, it is art and I love seeing others perspective.

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