Photographer · Yorkville, IL · reviewed since 2017
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%100+58.7Reliability 26%99+25.8Value 15%96+14.6Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.99SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#100 of 201 photographersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 51%
5.0★★★★★74 Google reviews · 24 photos
100%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Being Joy Photography five stars based on seventy-four reviews, with the owner responding to ninety-three percent of feedback. Clients frequently cite punctuality, clear communication, and straightforward pricing as key positives. Services include wedding, engagement, maternity, newborn, and family sessions, often featuring children or pets. Reviewers note the photographer’s ability to create relaxed environments that produce natural, candid images while managing active subjects. No recurring criticisms appear in the provided excerpts, as all reviews are five-star.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 74 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 74 Google reviews (69 with written comments, 22 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 93% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and craft & service; weakest: value.
Being Joy PhotographyPhotographers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Being Joy Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Being Joy Photography: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
99
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Being Joy Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Being Joy Photography: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
96
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Being Joy Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 62.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
74 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars74100%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 69 written reviews
96%praise
Praise11096%
Complaints54%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price360%
Reasonable240%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude3026%
Would recommend3026%
Speed & response1917%
Quality & results1412%
Communication1110%
Honesty & trust87%
Price & value33%
What customers talk about
We read 69 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“She’s super professional, easy to talk to, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people she works with.”
“We 100% recommend Joy at Being Joy and her team to anyone looking for a wedding photographer—you will absolutely love working with them!”
“I cannot say enough good things about Joy and her team, and I cannot recommend her enough!”
“…tural looking pictures, reasonably priced, available for travel, and efficient with scheduling (a baby and a toddler will only give you so much time t…”
“She’s incredibly talented, but honestly her personality and attention to detail stood out just as much as the photos themselves.”
“She is easy to work with and her talent is one of a kind.”
“We have two young toddlers and she made the session incredibly fun for them which resulted in some beautiful pictures and genuine smiles!”
“Light, bright, natural looking pictures, reasonably priced, available for travel, and efficient with scheduling (a baby and a toddler will only give y…”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Being Joy Photography for 2 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
LLauren5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Working with Joy was an absolute pleasure! We have two young toddlers and she made the session incredibly fun for them which resulted in some beautiful pictures and genuine smiles! We look forward to working with her again in the years to come
AApril2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Joy did such an AMAZING job for our family photos! She was wonderful to work with and all of our photos turned out beautiful! We brought in our pup for our photos and Joy was so patient with him and made sure that he was captured in our photos. We’re so thankful that she helped capture our one year anniversary photos for us! I would highly recommend her!
Portrait photography
KKymberly8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
We had an amazing experience with Joy and her team. So professional and thoughtful. Nothing was overlooked from the engagement to the wedding. Joy's attention to detail is excellent. The creativity and quality are excellent. Highly recommend!
Wedding and engagement
NNikiLocal Guide · 27 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Joy did an AMAZING job shooting our in-home newborn/family life portraits! When I was thinking of doing these photos, I originally had super low expectations in the sense that I have a super active 18 month old, a sassy newborn, and a boisterous 2 year old golden retriever, and so I figured the likelihood of getting…
SSavannah6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
I would 100% recommend joy to someone needing family photos! She did a more “lifestyle” shoot for us (kids playing with chalk/bubbles/mud kitchen/trampoline etc) and I got teary eyed looking at the end result! She managed to capture our families beautiful chaos!! She was also so sweet and engaging with the kiddos.…
CCristalLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★
Joy was everything I was looking for in a photographer! Light, bright, natural looking pictures, reasonably priced, available for travel, and efficient with scheduling (a baby and a toddler will only give you so much time to capture those perfect moments!) Joy was quick to respond and her pricing was straightforward…
Working with Joy was an absolute pleasure! We have two young toddlers and she made the session incredibly fun for them which resulted in some beautiful pictures and genuine smiles! We look forward to working with her again in the years to come
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for your kind words 😍 It was so nice meeting you all. Excited to see you again!!
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Sidney Moore5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sidney has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy was seriously awesome to work with from start to finish. She’s incredibly talented, but honestly her personality and attention to detail stood out just as much as the photos themselves. She made everything feel really easy and natural, kept things moving without ever making us feel rushed, and was just a great person to have around all day!
One thing I remember noticing when we were originally looking at photographers was how many of Joy’s past couples kept coming back to her later for mini sessions, newborn photos, family photos, and other big life moments. I thought that said a lot about her at the time and after working with her ourselves I completely get it.
I’m definitely not someone who naturally loves being in front of a camera, but she made the whole experience comfortable and never made anything feel overly posed or awkward. She’s super professional, easy to talk to, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people she works with.
Obviously we loved her style, which is what first caught our attention but the experience of working with her was just as good. We definitely feel like we found more than just our wedding photographer. We found someone we’ll keep going back to for years!
Services: Wedding and engagement
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
You both are awesome! Thank you for your kind words 🥰
A
April Monaghan2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews April has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy did such an AMAZING job for our family photos! She was wonderful to work with and all of our photos turned out beautiful! We brought in our pup for our photos and Joy was so patient with him and made sure that he was captured in our photos. We’re so thankful that she helped capture our one year anniversary photos for us! I would highly recommend her!
Services: Portrait photography
Response from the owner · a month ago
It was so nice getting to know you all! Luke is adorable!! Thank you for your kind words 🥰
K
Kymberly Harris8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kymberly has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had an amazing experience with Joy and her team. So professional and thoughtful. Nothing was overlooked from the engagement to the wedding. Joy's attention to detail is excellent. The creativity and quality are excellent. Highly recommend!
Services: Wedding and engagement
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you for your kind words ❤️ It was such a special day!! Honored to have been a part of it!!
H
Hannah DavisLocal Guide · 7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Hannah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy at Being Joy is the absolute best! Her attention to detail and ability to make every moment feel fun and memorable are truly her superpowers. As the bride, I couldn’t have been happier with our entire experience.
Our engagement session was the most fun ever! We took photos around Chicago, including by the skyline at North Avenue Beach and at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the photos turned out absolutely stunning. That experience gave us the perfect glimpse of what our wedding day would feel like with Joy behind the camera.
Then came the wedding day, and we were absolutely blown away. The ceremony photos perfectly captured all of the emotion and special moments, and our wedding party photos are some of our favorites. Our friends and family look so genuinely happy and like they’re having the best time! The reception photos were also incredible and captured so many genuine reactions throughout the night—from tears and laughs during the speeches to all the excitement and emotion during the dances. I honestly didn’t expect those candid reactions to be some of my favorite photos to look back on, but they truly bring us right back to those moments. And the photos of just me and my husband are absolutely insane. We wanted a mix of traditional, timeless photos and more modern, artsy shots, and Joy completely delivered.
Beyond the incredible photos, Joy makes the entire experience so much fun. She makes sure you feel heard, comfortable, and confident in front of the camera, which made such a difference on our wedding day. She somehow captures all of the big moments while also catching the little details and candid moments that we’ll cherish forever.
We are beyond grateful to Joy and her team for giving us such beautiful photos and memories that we’ll have forever. We 100% recommend Joy at Being Joy and her team to anyone looking for a wedding photographer—you will absolutely love working with them!
Services: Wedding and engagement, Portrait photography
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Niki NielsenLocal Guide · 27 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Niki has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy did an AMAZING job shooting our in-home newborn/family life portraits! When I was thinking of doing these photos, I originally had super low expectations in the sense that I have a super active 18 month old, a sassy newborn, and a boisterous 2 year old golden retriever, and so I figured the likelihood of getting more than a couple really solid photos would be low. But holy moly, we have 100+ absolutely beautiful photos of our family and our home thanks to Joy!!! She captured the beautifully chaotic essence of our home and these photos will be cherished forever and ever. I can’t recommend her enough!
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
That makes my heart to happy! I had the best time with your family 😊😊
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Savannah Shepherd6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Savannah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I would 100% recommend joy to someone needing family photos! She did a more “lifestyle” shoot for us (kids playing with chalk/bubbles/mud kitchen/trampoline etc) and I got teary eyed looking at the end result! She managed to capture our families beautiful chaos!! She was also so sweet and engaging with the kiddos. We will cherish her photos for years to come!
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank you for welcoming me to your home to play and have fun. It was the best!
C
Cristal MorelandLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Cristal has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy was everything I was looking for in a photographer! Light, bright, natural looking pictures, reasonably priced, available for travel, and efficient with scheduling (a baby and a toddler will only give you so much time to capture those perfect moments!) Joy was quick to respond and her pricing was straightforward (none of that bait & switch or teaser pricing you so often see in this business!) Our photos turned out exactly as I had hoped for and I look forward to working with Joy again as our kids grow up!
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you so much for you kind words! I would be honored to capture your kids as they grow up 🥹
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Alexa McCarthy3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alexa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have worked with Joy for our engagement, wedding day, and maternity photos. She always brings her positive and genuine spirit every time we are together. Joy is able to take away the nerves and awkwardness that can sometimes come with a photo session, and instead make capturing memories an enjoyable, relaxed, and positive experience. She is easy to work with and her talent is one of a kind. We are excited to continue working with Joy as we expand our family! Her work has truly created some of the most special photos we have, absolutely gorgeous work! Thanks for all you do Joy!!
Services: Wedding and engagement, Portrait photography
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
I am so lucky to watch your family grow!!!
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Ava Lynch3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ava has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Joy went above and beyond for us every step of the way! Upon meeting her for our engagement photos, my husband and I knew we picked the right photographer! She made all the photos so fun and focused on capturing us candidly rather than having us constantly posing for everything. On the big day, she was so great about navigating the timeline of the day and making sure everything was captured while still keeping things on track. She brought such a fun energy as well, which really helped make everything feel comfortable and natural, which was a huge plus considering she was with us the whole day. And on top of all that, she got photos back to us so quickly I was blown away! I'm still amazed at how awesome she was! I cannot say enough good things about Joy and her team, and I cannot recommend her enough!
