A little about me…

Hi, I’m Athena Joyce! Mother, wife and photographer for about 8 years now. I live in the San Francisco east bay area, near Pleasant Hill + Walnut Creek, California. My love for photography is centered in capturing real, candid moments that reflect joy and authenticity. I specialize in using natural light to create earthy, timeless images that feel both simple and elegant.

These days I’m either raising my three kids in or on an adventure with my family or friends.

I began my photography journey in 2018 soon after I got married and stepped away from being a 5th grade teacher in San Jose. My wedding photographer became one of my best friends and mentored me as her second photographer at weddings after she saw my passion and talent. My first photographed wedding was at SF City Hall. Shortly after we went on wedding photography trips to Newport, Santa Clarita and the South Bay Area. A few months later, I started photographing families, couples, maternity portraits and weddings on my own. My business took off quickly and most weekends I would either be driving to Santa Cruz, Monterey, or San Francisco for engagement photos, and everything else! I knew that I was meant to photograph people and their special moments when it became second nature for me. My calendar was getting booked up and I knew this is it!

I believe that the best photographs reflect people’s true selves. My approach is simple: I prefer clean, subtle edits that highlight the beauty of each moment. Whether it’s a family session, couple’s portraits, or a wedding, I aim to make every photoshoot an enjoyable experience, celebrating the uniqueness of each client. I will direct you and make it all feel “natural”.

Let’s connect and make unforgettable memories together!