I took this photo of my dear friend, Thatcher. This photo is supposed to symbolize the joy of a student. With some minor edits to the image, it became brighter with joy. I told him to “look joyous,” and that's just what he did.
Dear Friend
I took this photo of my dear friend, Thatcher. This photo is supposed to symbolize the joy of a student. With some minor edits to the image, it became brighter with joy. I told him to “look joyous,” and that's just what he did.
Delight
Aidan I
Student
San Diego
2025
Honorable Mention
This photo was taken at my childhood skatepark. This photograph relates to this year's theme of Joy because this was where many and majority of my best friends are (the one in the picture for example). Many joyful memories were made, and here he highlights that with his expression on his face!
Delight
This photo was taken at my childhood skatepark. This photograph relates to this year's theme of Joy because this was where many and majority of my best friends are (the one in the picture for example). Many joyful memories were made, and here he highlights that with his expression on his face!
True moments of joy are rare. So much of life is covered by dark thorns, which you must brush aside to find those special, beautiful moments. But once you do find joy, the thorns become near invisible. The bright and colorful feeling captures the entirety of your attention, and all of your problems wash away. Even if just for a second, true joy will shine through.
So, I ask you again: Do you see the thorns?
Do You See the Thorns?
True moments of joy are rare. So much of life is covered by dark thorns, which you must brush aside to find those special, beautiful moments. But once you do find joy, the thorns become near invisible. The bright and colorful feeling captures the entirety of your attention, and all of your problems wash away. Even if just for a second, true joy will shine through.
So, I ask you again: Do you see the thorns?
I am a first year digital photographer. This picture portrays happiness in both me and my girlfriend after I had gotten her a dog. Out of all the pictures that may have looked better than this one, this one shows true joy and excitement.
Dog Days
I am a first year digital photographer. This picture portrays happiness in both me and my girlfriend after I had gotten her a dog. Out of all the pictures that may have looked better than this one, this one shows true joy and excitement.
Dopamine
Chloe C
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Not Selected
This photo represents the theme, “joy” both metaphorically and literally.
Coffee produces dopamine, which tends to make people feel happy. In the photo, a cup of coffee is shown, therefore contributing to the “literal” part of the theme.
The two plushies are from a series about children chasing their passions in music. Chasing one’s passions tends to make them happy, therefore highlighting the metaphorical factor.
To add, this photo was taken in Japan, a place I always enjoy visiting, further contributing to the theme.
Dopamine
This photo represents the theme, “joy” both metaphorically and literally.
Coffee produces dopamine, which tends to make people feel happy. In the photo, a cup of coffee is shown, therefore contributing to the “literal” part of the theme.
The two plushies are from a series about children chasing their passions in music. Chasing one’s passions tends to make them happy, therefore highlighting the metaphorical factor.
To add, this photo was taken in Japan, a place I always enjoy visiting, further contributing to the theme.
This photo was taken at La Puente City Park. Although empty at this time, the lot is often the foundation of expanding happiness that is emitted from the kids that play at the establishment. Children are often associated with joy, as they are often untainted from the worries and responsibilities that are placed upon them as they age. Joy, in its most pure form, is captured within children.
As people grow and involve themselves in life, it is common to feel the burden of duty. Individuals become so engrossed into their responsibilities that they forget that they, too, used to play in the park. Childhood and parks are arenas of nostalgia in that aspect, and many people when they grow up reminisce on the sheer bliss they experienced as a child.
The subject is the encapsulation of the innocent joy that all children get when they play. They’re carefree from societal standards that judge their clothing, appearance, education and other factors. The slide can be viewed as a symbol of the inevitable future that everyone must follow in their development. But even then, if one photo can enclose in this brief, but foremost memory in one’s life, there is always one lingering piece of joy behind one’s mind.
Down The Slide
This photo was taken at La Puente City Park. Although empty at this time, the lot is often the foundation of expanding happiness that is emitted from the kids that play at the establishment. Children are often associated with joy, as they are often untainted from the worries and responsibilities that are placed upon them as they age. Joy, in its most pure form, is captured within children.
As people grow and involve themselves in life, it is common to feel the burden of duty. Individuals become so engrossed into their responsibilities that they forget that they, too, used to play in the park. Childhood and parks are arenas of nostalgia in that aspect, and many people when they grow up reminisce on the sheer bliss they experienced as a child.
The subject is the encapsulation of the innocent joy that all children get when they play. They’re carefree from societal standards that judge their clothing, appearance, education and other factors. The slide can be viewed as a symbol of the inevitable future that everyone must follow in their development. But even then, if one photo can enclose in this brief, but foremost memory in one’s life, there is always one lingering piece of joy behind one’s mind.
Sunset by itself is very joyful to look at, but with the view of Downtown just brings me joy. When I'm feeling a little empty in the inside, I go up to the roof of my apartment. The view of the Sunset with Downtown just lights something up inside me, and I walk home feeling that light inside myself. Before I took this photo I felt empty. So I went up the roof and just lost myself in this view. Went back home with a joyful inspiration and enjoyed myself for the rest of the day.
Downtown in the Sunset
Sunset by itself is very joyful to look at, but with the view of Downtown just brings me joy. When I'm feeling a little empty in the inside, I go up to the roof of my apartment. The view of the Sunset with Downtown just lights something up inside me, and I walk home feeling that light inside myself. Before I took this photo I felt empty. So I went up the roof and just lost myself in this view. Went back home with a joyful inspiration and enjoyed myself for the rest of the day.
This is a photo of an old Ansco camera. It represents the joy I get whenever I take pictures and serves as a reminder why I took photography. It was taken in the photography studio in our class.
Drawing With Light
This is a photo of an old Ansco camera. It represents the joy I get whenever I take pictures and serves as a reminder why I took photography. It was taken in the photography studio in our class.
The photo was taken from a mountainside overlooking Long Beach on a calm and peaceful day. The sun provided the perfect warmth—not too hot, not too cool—just a gentle, comforting heat, like being wrapped in a cozy blanket on a breezy night. The sky stretched endlessly, blending soft hues, while the landscape below bathed in the sun’s golden glow. The scene captured a moment of serenity, where nature’s beauty and the soothing atmosphere made it feel like time had slowed down.
I believe this photo is truly special because I was so excited when I captured it. It was one of the first photos I ever took with my personal camera, making it even more meaningful to me. Every time I look at it, it fills me with joy, bringing back the emotions of that moment. I hope that when others see this photo, it brings them the same sense of happiness and appreciation for the beauty I felt that day.
Drifting Sky
The photo was taken from a mountainside overlooking Long Beach on a calm and peaceful day. The sun provided the perfect warmth—not too hot, not too cool—just a gentle, comforting heat, like being wrapped in a cozy blanket on a breezy night. The sky stretched endlessly, blending soft hues, while the landscape below bathed in the sun’s golden glow. The scene captured a moment of serenity, where nature’s beauty and the soothing atmosphere made it feel like time had slowed down.
I believe this photo is truly special because I was so excited when I captured it. It was one of the first photos I ever took with my personal camera, making it even more meaningful to me. Every time I look at it, it fills me with joy, bringing back the emotions of that moment. I hope that when others see this photo, it brings them the same sense of happiness and appreciation for the beauty I felt that day.
A happy friend ready for a education with a joyfully smile ready to go back to school.
Edgar Ready for an Education
A happy friend ready for a education with a joyfully smile ready to go back to school.
Every year, the elves bring me joy. I look forward to seeing what they do. Yesterday, they learned how to sew and read. There were no words in the books. Monday, they did laundry. The elves give me joy when they get into trouble.
Elves Doing Science
Every year, the elves bring me joy. I look forward to seeing what they do. Yesterday, they learned how to sew and read. There were no words in the books. Monday, they did laundry. The elves give me joy when they get into trouble.
This photo was taken at my ranch where I live. I love to run up the mountain to reach the sunset in time. With this photo taken in Novemeber last year, around my birthday, it reminds me of the beauitful skies that get painted every evening especailly after a storm or rain. It is like the happiness after the blue. I took this photo by myself, with me facing San Deigo and the distant cities. I have many more photos of the sunsets because each one is special and different. But I enjoy this one because it shows someone (me) actually enjoying it, rather than just taking a picture of it.
Enjoying Sunset
This photo was taken at my ranch where I live. I love to run up the mountain to reach the sunset in time. With this photo taken in Novemeber last year, around my birthday, it reminds me of the beauitful skies that get painted every evening especailly after a storm or rain. It is like the happiness after the blue. I took this photo by myself, with me facing San Deigo and the distant cities. I have many more photos of the sunsets because each one is special and different. But I enjoy this one because it shows someone (me) actually enjoying it, rather than just taking a picture of it.