We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joella Byron-dixon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joella, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of my projects that is probably most meaningful to me is titled “Deep Water”. The concept for this shoot was living in my head for months, but I kept finding reasons to push it off. One day in August of 2023, I finally told myself, “I NEED to bring this idea to life, in some way”. That same evening, I captured a collection of images I’m thrilled to display in my portfolio. It is a vulnerable representation of navigating daily life with depression; a project that I hoped would shed light on the often misunderstood & stigmatized topic of mental health. I received so much positive feedback from this shoot, where people shared their stories of struggle and resilience. Plus, my sister was my model, so that made it even more special.

In these photos, my sister is floating in dark water, wearing a white flowy blouse while raindrops fall around her. The water and raindrops represent the persistent heaviness one feels while struggling with mental health day to day, while the white blouse she wears represents the resilience displayed by simply surviving and getting through the day. You can view the whole gallery on my website.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been passionate about photography from a young age, inspired by my mom, who was a professional photographer for many years. She started mentoring me in composition when I was about 13. I began by capturing nature, landscapes, and animals, but eventually transitioned into photographing people and discovered my love for portraiture.

For a while, photography remained a hobby—I mostly took photos for friends, family, and acquaintances. It wasn’t until 2020, during the Covid pandemic, that my passion was reignited, and I decided to turn it into a full-time business. Initially, I focused on traditional portrait work—senior photos, family portraits, headshots—and event photography. By 2022, I expanded into live music photography as well.

My love for photography is deeply rooted in my admiration for people and their individuality. I believe every person I photograph has a unique beauty, and I take great joy in capturing that in my work. Whether it’s a musician on stage, a client updating their photos, or a creative collaboration, I’m constantly amazed by the uniqueness everyone brings to the experience.

I especially enjoy seeing people grow confident in front of the camera, particularly if they start out feeling shy or uncertain. My priority is always to ensure clients feel safe, comfortable, and that their sessions are accessible and inclusive for everyone.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a business creative is the ability to connect with so many different people on a personal level. Whether it’s collaborating with clients, capturing someone’s unique story, or simply building relationships, those connections mean a lot to me. I also love the opportunities I get to travel to new places, which constantly inspire me and keep my creative energy flowing.

One of the greatest joys in my work is helping people feel confident in front of the camera. Seeing someone transform from being camera-shy to radiating confidence is incredibly fulfilling—it’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about what I do. And then, there’s nature. I’ve always admired the beauty of the natural world, and being able to incorporate that into my work keeps me grounded and creatively inspired. All of these experiences combine to make my journey as a photographer and business creative deeply enriching and meaningful.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

“Giving back to the community through photography” became the cornerstone of my business after one of my earliest photography commissions. In 2016, at just 17 years old, I was hired to photograph firefighters for a charity event benefiting Toledo Fire Departments. The project was organized by the Live Your Dream Foundation, created in memory of fallen firefighters Steve Machcinski and Jamie Dickman. Firefighters and paramedics posed for the “Live Your Dream” charity calendar, with proceeds going toward essential supplies like linens, mattresses, and food for fire departments across Northwest Ohio. This experience inspired me to make charity work a regular part of my photography career.

Recently, I have provided free and discounted photography services to local non-profits and small businesses, such as the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee of Oberlin and Gently Unbound Yoga. Supporting organizations that make a positive impact in the community continues to be a central focus of my work, and I’m always looking for new ways to contribute through my photography.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photographybyjoellc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybyjoellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByJoella/
• Other: https://deep-water.photographybyjoellc.com/