Tonya Joy Photography » photography

bates family photos…

Tonya — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:53:07 +0000

this weekend I was so lucky to head out on a gorgeous afternoon to shoot an adorable family session…the light was perfect, all the kiddos were so cute and happy, and mom and dad were looking gorg! Sheri and her family modeled for one of my workshops and I was excited to get them in front of my camera again. I seriously love her hair…I tell her like everytime I see her how gorgeous it is…sorry sheri, but really you are so beautiful!

We headed to one of my favorite locations kinda tucked away in the hills of corona…and it was just beautiful…

enjoy…

their oldest little beauty…Avery

sweet sweet bristol…

and the gorgeous little bentley…

mom brought along a few fun props! I love it when people think of ways to customize their shoot!

thanks for sharing your gorgeous family with me again!

enjoy a sweet slideshow below…

tonya joy one on one mentoring…

Tonya — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:44:27 +0000

last saturday I was so lucky to meet up with an up and coming photographer to hold a tonya joy one on one mentoring session. We spent 6 hours together and covered so much good stuff. I really do love sharing what I know with other photographers who are as excited about photography as I am. Such a treat…thank you so much Jacqueline!
She requested a family shoot, so I asked one of my friends, Ashley, if she would volunteer her adorable family for our session. The mentoring session that was booked, was a stylized session, so I had so much fun putting together wardrobe and a few fun props to fit the season. Such a treat for me…I dressed up Ashley and her Family, and sent her to Kitsch by Katrina Kirk for Hair and Makeup and was just so happy how it all came together!!!
Hope you enjoy!!!

um…ashley is so stinking beautiful!!

meet her little man Dillon

he wasnt so sure about waking up from a nap and being in front of the camera…

sweet lil miss Brynn

and her doll of a sister Avery…

such awesome kiddos!!!

they sure love their handsome daddy Rob…

Jacqueline had specifically requested to work on backlighting together…so we headed out to a nearby field in hopes the clouds would open to let a little light in…LOVED this part of the shoot!!!

it was the first project I got to take on after getting over all that horrible morning sickness!!!

Thought a sweet valentine styled shoot was a must with valentines day just around the corner…

a little fun fact about ashley’s skirt…it is actually 2 skirts I found on clearance for 10 bucks at forever 21…they were sooooo short…so I sewed them together to make this adorable tea length skirt! love me a good deal!

you guys are so so so beautiful!

rawr!

thank you so much to Jacqueline, Katrina, and Ashley and Fam for making this day so much fun!!!

scroll down for a sweet little slideshow of more images!!!

xoxo

Tonya

Christy and Brett…Married

Tonya — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:55:47 +0000

This last week, Kelsey Claire and I shot a lovely weekday wedding in Newport Beach…

I always walk away from weddings feeling like I get a unique impression of the people who i am blessed to share the day with…

this wedding…without a doubt, left me thinking of how much these people all cherish each other as family…you can see it in the photos…you could feel it during the day…hear it in every toast shared….

what a blessing to Christy and Brett to join together and celebrate the fusion of these two wonderful families!

we started the day at noon at newport beach temple…

i really have never seen a couple more at home with their family and guests…

it was just such a happy event for everyone present…

there certainly was not a shortage of adorable little ones either…christy and brett have some really beautiful nieces and nephews!

some of the lovely details

christine! you are a beautiful bride!!!

such a gorgeous couple and I know they have so much fun together too!

after the wedding, we headed to a hotel where the family enjoyed a beautiful luncheon and shared toasts and stories about the couple.

I snuck the bride and groom away just in time to catch a little bit of the remaining drops of sunlight at the back bay in newport…

I am so glad we did! I love these photos…

and we ended the night off with a gorgeous reception at the back bay bistro…

congrats you two! Thank you so much for having us along to document the day! Everything was beautiful and I am so excited to see where your lives lead you!

enjoy a slideshow below!

xoxo

Tonya

an afternoon dream…the introduction…

Tonya — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:04:24 +0000

often when I am styling a shoot, I take one or all the girls along with me. They ooh and ahh over the glam that ends up in my shopping bag and they always ask, “momma…when you are done with your shoot, can I have that?” I always tell them they are free to have anything I get after I am done with it. I love purchasing knowing that the goodies I end up with will be fun for all of us to use. I have been meaning to get them all dolled up for weeks and go out and play together…things have been busy, or someone was sick, or the weather was not right…but today…i decided we would make it happen. Even though I was exhausted, ella had a chapped face from fighting a cold, and the girls would most likely surely make me crazy shooting all 3 of them by myself, I seized the opportunity to put a little shoot on. I had picked up some individual false lashes at target and decided I would try them out on my little beauties…ella first, then ava, followed by mia whose lashes did not need a single falsie…so she opted out of them. How they giggled and stared in the mirror after sitting in momma’s make shift makeup chair. Jason came home and Ava ran through the house laughing and telling him she had fake eye lashes on. He all but rolled his eyes with a smile knowing what he had ahead of him with these little beauties!

I decided after dolling them up…that my little girls reminded me again…of the reality of the women that lived with in them that they would all too soon be…

mia reminds me of a sweet little hollywood starlet here…

this pic of ella is exactly what I mean…she is only 7…yet looks so sophisticated and mature here…

oh where do our babes go?
a little behind the scenes of our getting ready fun…

the girls were all ready, but we didn’t dare invite a boy on this outing…so while we waited for his babysitter (and best buddy daddy), we allowed adam into a couple shots

he stayed for about 4 shots and then was outta here…way too much sequin and tulle for one little guy to face alone!!!

“where are we going?” they ask…

I tell them “it is a secret…

we are off to shoot a dream.”

there are just times in life that you have to put the dreamy, most wonderful, beautiful things front and center…to see them…take notice…breath lighter and know the world is a pretty darn amazing place…and today we were gonna do that…

they giggle and start secrets of their own…things that little girls seem best at …

and this is ava’s “no really! this is a SECRET..face”

remember the gold sequin mini my last model wore?…it has been happily up-cycled into a ball-gown and a halter top for my little ladies!

up next…what my little girls dream of…

until then…sweet dreams…

xoxo

Tonya

dunst family photos…

Tonya — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:17:57 +0000

this last week I joined up with some of my favorite people to shoot a combined family session….

I love this beautiful location…it is so peaceful and serene and it set such a beautiful canvas for doing these holiday photos…

miss kate and clare…these 2 are so sweet together…

nice little shot of the brothers and their kiddos…clare’s face here kills me…she is so cute!

clare was in heaven holding her sweet baby cousin…

this little guy was seriously adorable!!! he always had a smile ready!

i told you…happy happy baby!

you guys have such beautiful families!

happy holidays! Chrsitmas is coming!!!
xoxo

Tonya

kissin cousins…a sweet kiddo shoot

Tonya — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:11:08 +0000

Last week, I met up with 4 siblings to gather their kiddos together for a cousin photoshoot…the occasion…a gift for grandma and grandpa. I honestly can’t think of a better gift. They have plans to compile a book of the kids playing in their yard and send it to them in time for Christmas. 13 little beauties…I had my hands full…but am excited for all the joy it will bring grandma and grandpa to see all their loves together…

you can imagine a sneak for 13 kiddos…i decided to make a little slideshow in lieu of a blogpost to display these little cuties…hope you enjoy!

happy tuesday!
xoxo
Tonya

stone family sneak peek…

Tonya — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:42:09 +0000

…last week I headed to a gorgeous location to shoot an even more gorgeous family…

the colors and the combined styling of all the families was genius…it made combining 4 families so seamless…and everyone looked amazing!!!

we tried out a couple locations and were so happy that the rain did not threaten this shoot!
little warren…SUCH a cutie!!!

i couldnt resist this one below with kendall’s little sassy pants smile…

such large groupings can be tricky with clothing…but this is a perfect example of what to wear!!!

such gorgeous ladies in this family…I thought they each deserved a little front and center…

you can see where they good their good looks…MOM is gorgeous too!

i had my hands full with this shoot…but it was honestly one of my favs! Such a wonderful family!

enjoy each other!!!

wishing everyone a very colorful and beautiful Thanksgiving and may you be surrounded by those you love!
xoxo
Tonya Joy

the websters…a family shoot at the arboretum

Tonya — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:28:33 +0000

this week, I ventured off to a new location to meet up with a beautiful little family. The Arboretum is a family favorite spot for the Websters, and while I am sure I visited it when I was a child, it certainly was a treat to be re-introduced to such an incredibly beautiful location. There could not have been a more perfect spot to shoot this family than in acres and acres of greenery and charm…

we started out at the cute little railroad station…

these boys just shine…such little loves…

there oldest little guy…joey…

and his little bro, Elliott…

i could seriously just walk around here everyday…so beautiful…

love these done in the Shakespeare gardens…

and when the light was just buttery and right…we found this really pretty little open grassy area…

mom was super smart and brought a change of clothes for little Elliott…just moments before this…he tumbled into a little stream and was soaking wet…can’t tell from these smiles…

a few of mom and dad looking beautiful in the gorgeous light…

and this tree…only to be upstaged by Melissa..such a timeless beauty…something so incredible about your smile girl….

we finished the session off with this cute little gazebo…

and yes…these shoes from anthro deserved one front and center…LOVE them!!!

it was so nice to see you again…thank you for sharing your little family with me again…

wishing you a beautiful holiday season, much health and happiness, and just more of that goodness that comes from those little ones that really are the best parts of our lives!

xoxo

tonya joy

A Destination Workshop…come away with me…

Tonya — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:40:07 +0000

****UPDATE*****

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED. NEW WORKSHOPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA FACEBOOK AND BLOG.

2012 has some pretty amazing things in the works..

i dream of seeing and making some beautiful things…

and I hope that some of you can join me…

i will be packing my bags a few times this coming year…

will be taking a few girlfriends along…and plan on just making the most out of this craft of photography…and how it can really enrich our lives on so many levels…

I am looking forward to all that lies ahead this year…

incredible beauty…

new places…

and hopefully some timeless memories to be made along the way…

i never take for granted the blessing that photography has been in my life…how I can give motherhood all my heart, and plan a few special things that provide me a little escape here and there…(thank you so much jason for all your loving support)

THE FIRST of my DESTINATION WORKSHOP….mark your calendars for Jan 21st 2012…

incredible charm and beauty will take us back in time a little bit…

(on a whim I decided to hold this sweet little shoot…a launch shoot…a bit of inspiration to give a peek into my head and what I am planning for January…so thankful for Jessica and Jess for being willing to come play dress up with me, and FOR Allison Rivera of Allison Rivera hair and Makeup for taking time out of her busy schedule to doll up my beauties! Thank you Allison…they turned out exactly like the inspiration I gave you! LOVED working with you!!)

we are going somewhere really beautiful…

and will be doing it in great gatsby fashion…

I so SO excited to LAUNCH my NEXT WORKSHOP…A SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA DESTINATION WORKSHOP

****UPDATE*****

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED. NEW WORKSHOPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA FACEBOOK AND BLOG.

The Great Gatsby at Balboa Park San Diego!!!

DATE: JAN 21st 2012 (it’s a saturday)

TIME: 10 am to 6 pm

LOCATION: Classroom presentation and shoots will take place at the Historic Balboa Park, San Diego California

full workshop details as you follow this post…but we will be shooting a family in sweet vintage 20s styling…and a couple styled in some roaring 20s glitz and glam!!!

attendees are invited to participate in a “pre-workshop questionarre” so that I can do my very best to cover the workshop topics in addittion to providing as much help individually as possible!

it is gonna be GOOD!

WHAT:

****UPDATE*****

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED. NEW WORKSHOPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA FACEBOOK AND BLOG.

(10 am to 6 pm): A full day of learning, instruction, TWO amazing STYLED shoots (first one to focus on family, shooting in full sun (weather permitting), and less optimal lighting) AND (one to focus on couple work and backlighting (weather permitting…it is always lushly romantic and just plain beautiful!!!), complete demonstration of photoshop/post-processing, workflow, and a discussion on business aspects of marketing/pricing/etc. (you may ask all you want about this in the q/a as well), and a candid and open Q/A session. Lunch will be served as well as loads of snacks and goodies. Dinner is not being provided, but we will probably all head out somewhere local to unwind and anyone is welcome to join and continue any discussion. All note taking materials are provided. Just come with your camera and any lenses you want to shoot with. Basically, I open my heart, and business to you with a sincere goal to have everyone walk away with new skills, friendships, and a greater love and appreciation for what they are doing as photographers!

WHO IS IT FOR:

The bulk of the day is completely demonstrative of what I am doing behind my camera and in front of my computer. I focus on inspiration and techniques to creating beautiful images. This workshop is completely suited for photographers as well as any individual who wants to learn how to use their DSLR to create gorgeous images and who want to find out how I am enhancing my images in photoshop. The workshop is specifically designed for photographers… or ANYONE who wants to improve their current skills and learn to shoot like a pro…it is gonna be so amazing…I can’t wait!!! I am especially excited to incorporate some new improvements after having several of my past attendees provide me with some great constructive feedback from past workshops!

COST: $425.00

* if you would like to reserve your spot please send payment to tonyajoyphoto@yahoo.com via paypal. If you would like to pay another way, please contact me and we can find an option that works best for you!

****UPDATE*****

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELED. NEW WORKSHOPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA FACEBOOK AND BLOG.

DATE: JAN 21st 2012 (it’s a saturday)

TIME: 10 am to 6 pm

LOCATION: Classroom presentation and shoots will take place at the Historic Balboa Park, San Diego California

WHAT:

WHO IS IT FOR:

COST: $425.00

I look forward to seeing you in January! Please email me with any questions! Let’s pack our bags and getaway!!!

xoxo

Tonya Joy

the kendigs…a holiday family shoot

Tonya — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:50:12 +0000

about a week ago, i talked my dear friend kristina into letting me shoot some family pics for her…i have been owing her a session for years…and was ready to pay my debt

so…i am not exaggerating when i say kristina is one of my favorite people in the world..she is so talented, yet so unsuspecting…so generous with her talents…funny…sweet…. and truly just a plain good person. she is a rare find and i simply adore her (am I making you blush yet kris?)

I am also not joking when I say that I have her programmed into my phone as “martha stewart”…if there is anything you need…kris can do it…she is pretty amazing!!! She even knows how to make chalkboard paint from scratch!!! (ha ha inside joke)

needless to say…I am thankful for my beautiful friend krsitina and her adorable family…

i love this series of her and her husband Chris…they are such a funny pair…

(of course she made these banners…like day of the shoot of course!)

their two youngest…Allison and Jillian…

i have a soft spot for little jillo…she is Mia’s twin for sure…sugar and just the right amount of spice…these two, my mia and jillian, are best buds when they are not arch enemies! wink*

meet Tom and Emily…

they have some pretty darn cute kids…

i LOVE allie’s gorgeous locks…seriously the prettiest red hair!!!

this kiddo is about as cute as they come!

and yes..i have a total crush on tom…such a cutie!

and the beautiful miss emily…

after getting all the “serious shots” i let the kids just be silly and some of them are my favs…

emilly! I love your new haircut!!! katrina rocked it!!!

and a little jillian series to end it off…

here’s to kicking off the holiday season…may you be grateful for all the good you have in your life…esp.good people and good things!

xoxo

Tonya