Photography isn’t just about taking beautiful pictures.
It’s about learning how to see the beauty in front of you—and within yourself.
When you create regularly—not for clients or perfection, but for your own joy—it transforms everything.
Your perspective shifts. Your sense of presence deepens. You notice more. You feel more.
You come back to yourself.
When you approach photography in this way, it becomes a tool for play, purpose, and self-discovery.
It helps you tell your story, reframe hard moments, and celebrate the ones that matter most.
And when you do that consistently, you don’t just make better art—you make a more joyful life.
That’s why I created The Old Joy Club—a creative sanctuary for people who love photography and want to grow alongside others who love it too.
A place to create, explore, play, and rediscover what lights you up.
Whether you're a hobbyist or a pro—if you're obsessed with photography, you're in the right place.
Because joy isn’t something you wait for.
It’s something you create.
And photography is one of the most powerful ways to create.
I started this club because
I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY
I also know that joy isn't something we stumble upon—it’s something we create. This space is for anyone ready to chase joy with their photography and create.
This is for
you if:
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Most photographers don’t fall out of love with photography because they’re not good enough, or because they need better gear, or because they’ve run out of creative ideas. They fall out of love with photography because somewhere along the way, they’ve lost the joy of creating—the freedom to be curious, to play, to photograph just for themselves.
I know this because I’ve been there.
Loving your work doesn't require talent or experience
The biggest obstacle standing between photographers and their most fulfilling work isn’t talent or skill—it’s the pressure to create perfectly, instead of creating for the sake of joy and curiosity.
But here's the secret...
How I work, experiment and stay inspired.
Q&As, deep dives, and guest artist chats.
what you'll get inside the club
Behind the scenes insights
Live Creative Sessions
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Monthly creative challenges & prompts to help you maintain a vibrant and evolving relationship with your creativity.
Create witHout pressure
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A place where photography is about joy (and helping each other!), not just business.
Join A Supportive, like minded community
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LET'S BREAK it DOWN
How It Works
Join the community.
First
Get access to the membership through a community-based site that is not facebook (I wanna get you off social media more, hell yes!)
Then
Check out the group, make friends with other members, start jumping into a monthly activity to energize your creativity and play, and more!
and then
Photography isn’t about perfect images; it’s about being present. It’s about seeing the world—your world—more deeply. It’s about embracing the moments, the beauty, the imperfections, and the process itself.
The Old Joy Club is for photographers like you—those who are ready to embrace the art of seeing, to step away from the pressure of perfection, and to create from a place of joy, curiosity, and play.
All you need is presence
You're going in the right direction. Let me help take you the rest of the way.
As artists, we are so good at ideas. But bringing them to life can be challenging. community provides accountability and genuine motivation.
making friends and being surrounded by people who get you, makes life more fun!
The ups and downs of creativity and business are easier to navigate when you have people who truly get it.
Being surrounded by other photographers fuels inspiration, sparks new ideas, and helps you see your own work in new ways. you grow faster.
Sharing knowledge, techniques, and experiences with others makes learning feel natural, exciting, and more effective.
Your creative journey matters, and in a supportive community, your wins—big and small—are honored and shared.
The benefits
of
community as artists
I've been photographing families for over 17 years in the Chicagoland area and all around the world. I specialize in offering a big splurgey photography experience for families to play and connect with each other, and create beautiful photographs of their life as the end result. I'm most proud of the fact that I've built a business that supports me and my family and allows me time to be with them. I love most teaching others and sharing the wisdom I've learned about how to grow and be happier and let go of painful things... it all comes down to presence. Photography has been such a beautiful tool for me to channel that work through.
host, not hero
hello. i'm
Suzy
having time to connect with your OWN life WILL BE YOUR greatest asset FOR PHOTOGRAPHING OTHERS'
Before I figured out how to find confidence in myself outside of my work, I found a false sense of self-worth in my work (and how much I was working). Years of overworking and undercharging left me burnt out and depleted. And I wasn't proud of or inspired by the work I was making.
When I took a step back and learned to make space for my own life and my own family and my own pleasure, instead of spending all of my time photographing others', that's when I started to gain connection with my creativity (my voice!). It wasn't my skills that changed the course of my work or business, it was being able to take a step back and see things differently. I opened my eyes to what was truly special and precious about being alive and what a gift it is to be with my family. And that inspired me so much creatively. There was space to get to know myself deeply and hear my creative voice.
You don't need to be a parent or have natural talents or special gear to start loving your work. you just have to make time to enjoy and live your life.
are you a family photographer too?
no commitments
cancel anytime
Let’s Do This together!
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Follow along for more about photography, motherhood and life behind the scenes with my own family.