ABOUT ME
Jemima Joy Wilson
Hey, I'm Jemima Joy
I'm the face, heart, and shutter behind JJOY Freelance.
Hastings, East Sussex has been my hometown since the day I was born. It’s where I live with my husband Nick, who is a perfectionist when it comes to carpentry, and our little girl, Lola Joy. She’s one of the the most joyful, happy girls I’ve ever met... a true mummy’s girl, with a strong mind and a creative spirit. She is more like me than I could ever have imagined, and I know that spark will serve her well one day. She makes me scared to blink because the years fly by and she grows up so quickly. She is 2, going on 13 I swear...
My studio is tucked away inside my childhood home, the very place where I grew up in Ore Village up on Fairlight Road in Hastings, though I don’t actually live there anymore.
My favourite colour is khaki green. I’m a huge food lover, but I’m notorious for letting my coffee go cold at least ten times before I finally finish it. I’ve accepted defeat and am slowly embracing my iced coffee girl era, if that’s even a thing these days.
‘JJOY’ is simply an abbreviation of my first two names, Jemima-Joy, and ‘Freelance’ sums up the variety of things I do, because I definitely don’t just stick to one thing.
Creativity has always been at the core of who I am. I’ve studied photography, art and design, fashion, and even psychodynamic counselling, alongside some handy basics like GDPR, data handling, confidentiality, and first aid and blah blah (are you still with me?). Before I took the leap and started my own business, I spent years working in recruitment, social care, retail, hospitality, fundraising, and marketing. So yes, I’ve worn a fair few hats over the years. I also have a huge soft spot for travel and discovering new cultures. There’s nothing quite like a fresh perspective to spark inspiration. My shoe collection is bigger than I can count, yet I wear the same old pair of creaky crocs day in and out (are you even a mum if you don't own crocs?) and I’m an absolute sucker for creating beautiful things.
You’ll probably catch me listening to meditation music while I work or edit, but any other time, it’s acoustic folk or a funky 70s playlist.
Talking of beautiful things...
A few years back, I started a photography workshop business where my main focus was creating styled shoot events for the photography community. I also did plenty of couple modelling, including at my own workshops. That was such a fun experience, we even ended up rolling around on Camber beach in the middle of winter.
I really value community so much. I is so important to come together as creatives together. You can often find me checking in to local community networking groups for a brew and cuppa and it makes me think I really ought to start hosting creative workshops again for likeminded people. At the time, I was more interested in the styling side of things than actually being behind the camera, but times have definitely changed.
IMAGE CREDIT: @ANNATCREATES_PHOTOGRAPHY
Don't Be Fooled
And just a little heads-up... I may love pretty things, but there’s an adventurous side to me too! I grew up off-roading, jumping out of planes, and catching waves on a donut. I’m always up for a bit of excitement and love bringing that sense of adventure and fun into my work and everyday life.
That's me far left in the yellow top btw.
Oh wow, you've got me reminiscing and scrolling through old albums!
That's me jumping out of a plane on my spontaneous 12 month solo trip to Australia (as you do)! It is meant to say "Life is Good" on my hands...
HA
I am pretty sure I wear glasses just like these today as well. Some things never change I guess!
BUT... Where THIS began...
I started JJOY Freelance in Hastings, East Sussex, back in 2021, taking the leap into self-employment as a social media manager. It all began when friends casually asked me to run their socials, and I soon realised I had a real knack for helping small businesses and creatives grow their online presence. What started as flexible, ad-hoc virtual support quickly grew into something much bigger.
Not long after, I became a mum to my daughter, Lola, a life-changing experience that made me see the world through a different lens. Motherhood inspired me to pick up my camera more often, not just for branding sessions, but to capture the real, messy, beautiful moments of family life.
As I rebuilt my business after maternity leave, my passion naturally shifted towards storytelling photography and capturing motherhood... what started with a cake smash with curtains in my back garden with a few friends in the most awful lighting... (we all start somewhere right!?) quickly progressed into a new chapter of documenting milestones for families, newborns, maternity, children, babies, and families (not just business alone anymore). And now I have my own studio space!
I realise I don’t fit neatly into any one box. I’m a free spirit and a true creative, and my work reflects that, always evolving. I guess I'm that person you go to, who is a bit of a whizz at a few things and likes a challenge and isn't afraid to say no to some new wild ideas you have...
My motherhood
My journey into motherhood has been the most beautiful yet brutal experience of my life, and I know so many mums will relate. I went through a traumatic birth and had to be readmitted to hospital six weeks later for more surgery. Nothing prepared me for that wave of hormones and emotions, or the sheer exhaustion of sleepless nights while trying to process it all. It was tough sailing. But we got there, and no matter how hard it was, nothing could take away the overwhelming love I felt for that little baby girl in my arms. For a moment, the world just passed us by.
Through it all, I had to truly learn the art of being kind to myself. Life changes in ways you never expect when you become a mother, and you change too.
I’ve been through a lot in my lifetime, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of kindness. If you can be anything, be kind. You never know what someone else is going through, and a simple act of kindness can be more powerful than you realise.
That’s why it’s so important to me that my work, the spaces I hold, and the experiences I create are caring, safe, and welcoming.
One thing about me.... I’m a mum’s mum. You breastfeed? That’s so beautiful. You bottle feed? Love that. You’re all about Montessori toys? I admire your intention. You hand over the iPad when stress levels rise? Honestly, I can totally relate. You had no pain relief during birth? You’re an absolute warrior and I’m proud of you. You opted for the epidural as soon as you could? Babe, I don’t blame you one bit.
Whatever your journey looks like, you’re doing amazing, and you’re always welcome here, just as you are.
Now?
JJOY Freelance has evolved, supporting families and small businesses with emotive, storytelling photography, social media management, and some occasional branding/strategising. There’s never a dull day, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
One day I might be capturing newborns and baby bumps, the next I’m brainstorming three-year business plans and branding guides, and then it’s on to planning several businesses social feeds or content shoots for the month ahead.
Every day brings something new, and that’s exactly how I like it.
I would love to help you with whatever bought you here in the first place. Let's talk some more shall we?
