Artist Spotlight: Joy Yagid
‘A Wintery View from the Oakland Road Bridge’ by Joy Yagid
2nd Place Winner Maplewood Photo Contest 2020
On Display through end of January in the Windows of 1978 Arts Center, 1978 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood NJ
Professional Photographer, Joy Yagid received 2nd place in the Maplewood 2020 Photo contest for her black and white entry titled, “A wintery View from the Oakland Road Bridge”. Joy beautifully captures the picturesque scene of the foot bridge in memorial park after a heavy snow.
“My mother always promoted any artistic endeavor I took to while growing up. This meant drawing with crayons on paper grocery bags we used for trash. My mom would tell me that the trash men loved seeing my artwork. As a child, I thought this was pretty cool. As an adult, I still think it was pretty cool”
Joy Yagid is well known around Maplewood. She’s always there with her camera in hand documenting special events, daily life, nature and more. Joy’s style is editorial with a flare for the unusual, but not off the rails.
Joy came into photography in a very simple manner. She found her father's old Brownie camera when she was eight. And she hasn't put down a camera since.
‘Maplewood Mandala Project’ by Joy Yagid
Joy Yagid’s favorite shot from the 2015 Mandala Project at The Woodland
‘Rainbow Cross Walk’ by Joy Yagid
Pride 2019, Maplewood Town Hall
Joy grew up in Yonkers New York. Her mother always promoted any artistic endeavor Joy took interest in. Joy wanted to be a photographer, but there would be no art or photography school because art wasn't a 'real' career.
Instead, she went to college and earned a liberal arts degree in Literature and Communications. Joy went on to work in the video industry, all the while, taking photos. And Joy was also the family photographer, always documenting precious moment and events.
Fast forward to 2005. Joy had made up her mind to become a ‘photographer' and had a 3-5 year plan to leave her day job. However in 2007, the decision was made for her when she was laid off. After taking some time to think about it, Joy decided to 'become' a photographer. Joy from a young age was always a photographer, but now it was official.
Joy finally took the plunge, “I 'became' a photographer. I always was one, but it was the first time I had used the word 'photographer' to describe what I did for a living. It's something I've wanted to do all my life. I am now living my unlived life.”
Joy shoots family, professional headshots, portraits, pets, and life events such as mitzvahs and weddings. Joy’s stunning photos include nature, landscapes, skyscapes, and animals - her owl shots are amazing. Joy also documents local Maplewood Events such as the Maplewood Mandala Project in 2015 where buddhist monks created a Mandala at The Woodland. Other examples of events Joy covers include, the 2020 Black Lives Matter Event and in the past retirement parties, tree and menorah lightings, halloween parades, Pride Events and Maplewoodstock, among others.
Joy has many hobbies including gardening. She is a member of the Maplewood Garden Club and the Maplewood Community Garden and she runs the SOMA NJ Gardening group on Facebook. Joy also enjoys fossil hunting and rock collecting. “Nothing spells fun for me than wading through cold river water in leaky boots looking for ancient shark teeth, shells and cool looking rocks,” says Joy. As for baking, sourdough isn't a pandemic fad for Joy, other favorites include biscotti, various pies, and fun breads. Joy lives in Maplewood with her spouse and college-aged child.
‘Tulip Farm 2019’ by Joy Yagid
‘Flowers Macro’ by Joy Yagid
‘Greenwood Gardens’ by Joy Yagid
‘Fall Leaves’ by Joy Yagid
‘Kaaterskill Falls’ by Joy Yagid
‘Buttermilk Falls’ by Joy Yagid
‘Solar’ by Joy Yagid
‘Two Black Cats’ by Joy Yagid
‘Matasquan’ by Joy Yagid
‘Comet Neowise 2020’ by Joy Yagid
‘Eastern Screech Owl - Red Morph’ by Joy Yagid
‘Unreleasable Redtail’ by Joy Yagid
‘Vilma - A Barred Owl’ by Joy Yagid
Joy is generous to wildlife and the community and donates her time to The Rapture Trust and MEND NJ. In College, Joy volunteered for the Nature Center where she would work with birds and owls. Today Joy donates a % of sales from her photos of owls to The Raptor Trust — they do great work with helping all birds, especially raptors. See the video button link at the end of the story for an interview with Joy and her focus on owls.
“During the beginning of the pandemic, unable to work, I needed to do something to help. I did ‘Porch-traits’, a quick 5 minute session where the family would stand/sit on their porch and I on the sidewalk, in exchange for a donation of $25 to MEND NJ. In the end, I did over 100 sessions and raised about $4000 for MEND — many people donated well above the requested $25.”
‘Gillette New Jersey’ by Joy Yagid
“I like light. Light likes me. Light and me are on a perpetual spree.”
Joy Yagid
Fine Art & Event Photographer
On living in Maplewood: “I've never felt a part of any place really. But I am home here.” — Joy Yagid
Joy Yagid is a member of SOMA Arts Registry, a free online hub serving Maplewood, South Orange and neighboring towns. It focuses on artists, arts professionals and arts organizations, with the goal to extend their local, regional and national market reach. SOMA Arts Registry was created by the Township of Maplewood and Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture to support the local arts community.
‘Dismal Harmony’ by Joy Yagid
“I love making photos. I love making art. I have over 500K+ images, I am happy to pull together a collection of images from my library if there’s something you’re looking for. I’m also available for commissions.”
Like what you see? Joy Yagid also teaches photography classes through the South Orange Maplewood Adult School. Her next class is in March 2021. Joy is hoping to offer more lessons as time goes on and COVID restrictions are eased. For more information on Joy’s Photography Classes visit: https://www.somadultschool.org/
Email: joy.yagid@gmail.com
Facebook @joyyagidphotography
Instagram (Art) @joyyagid
Instagram (Events + People) @joyyagidphoto