“Sonya Joy's photography transcends the act of merely 'taking pictures.'

 

The eye she brings to her art allows her to capture the essence of her subjects, whether they be human, animal, or any other aspect of Mother Nature. I suspect it's her reverence that puts her subjects at ease, whether consciously or unconsciously, encouraging them to trust and reveal themselves to her lens.”

- Lisa Weikel, Shamanic Practitioner and Listener - www.owlmedicine.com, Author: Owl Medicine - a spiritual memoir

Silhouette of bird of prey in tree at sunset by Sonya Joy.
African elephant spraying water from its trunk, photographed by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Tall sacred building against red sky by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
African savannah at twilight by writer and photographer Sonya Joy.
Trees growing out of centuries' old building by Wild Luminary's Sonya Joy.
Italian countryside under cloudy sky by Sonya Joy, photographer, writer and women's coach.
Bouquets of sunflowers at a shop by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Narrow cobblestone street through limestone buildings in Europe, photographed by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Female lion carrying object in Africa by nature photographer Sonya Joy.
Colorful clothing drying on a line outside an old European apartment by Sonya Joy, photographer & writer.
Narrow cobblestone street surrounded by stone and colored buildings, photographed by traveler & writer Sonya Joy.
Railroad tracks covered in snow leading into hillside, photographed by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Rusted orange vintage truck under a blue sky by photographer, writer, & women's coach Sonya Joy.
Orange clouds over tree silhouettes by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Mother lion and 3 cubs in front of tree in Africa by traveler, nature photographer, and writer Sonya Joy.
Pink clouds arcing through blue sky over silhouette of trees and land, by photographer, writer, and coach Sonya Joy.
Creek running through mountain scape in winter with bare trees by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Two seals playing at water's edge by nature photographer, writer, & women's coach Sonya Joy.
Male-identifying human standing outside vintage Desert Market as photographed by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Thin wash of orange sky over silhouettes of trees and their reflections in the water by photographer & writer Sonya Joy.
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Photo of leopard looking straight into the camera with its tongue out as captured by photographer and women’s coach Sonya Joy.

“Sonya Joy's photography takes you on a journey where she captures extraordinary beauty in the seemingly ordinary, and sublime beauty in the exotic. From a train station in Barstow to the plains of Africa, her photos remind us there is wondrous beauty to be witnessed everywhere.”

— Rejoy Marsella, Award Winning Interior Designer and Candle Company CEO

Two zebras cleaning each other with a third eating in the background, photographed in Africa by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Solitary leafless tree covered in snow by nature photographer, storyteller, and women's coach Sonya Joy.
Sun setting through small valley in desert by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Elderly male-identifying human with long white beard and brown workshirt outside metal sculptures in desert as photographed by Sonya Joy.
Desert rock cliffs behind red flowers in front of church cross, photographed by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Silver car emblem of human with arms back as though it's flying, by photographer, storyteller, and coach Sonya Joy.
Two rhinoceroses in African desert looking at camera, by nature photographer, writer, and women's coach Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Sun beams cresting over silhouetted hill at sunrise by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
The ocean at dusk by Wild Luminary's Sonya Joy, photographer, storyteller, and women's coach.
Giraffe lowering its head to eat by photographer Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Old barn in front of mountains, all blanketed in snow, by Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Steenbok, an African deer with large ears, staring at camera, by nature photographer, writer and coach Sonya Joy of Wild Luminary.
Female lion on tree trunk staring at camera by international traveler, photographer, writer and women's coach Sonya Joy.
Mountainside of trees blanketed in snow by Wild Luminary's Sonya Joy.

 

"I have had the pleasure of joining Sonya on many photography outings, and have always been impressed by her understanding of the nuances of light and positioning. She is a photographer who always seems to get the “best shot” in any setting. "

— Lynn Jacobs, Artist

"Sonya Joy's photos speak to my heart and my student's adding a beautiful dimension to my forums that helps inspire people to share and learn. She has a fantastic unique eye and deeply soulful sensibility!"

— Jen Louden, Best-selling author, writing and creativity mentor and podcast host