The photo was taken at my house. I got the trophies for playing sports. Playing sports is fun, it makes me happy. The trophies make me feel proud. I love playing sports even if i don't get trophies.
My Trophies
The photo was taken at my house. I got the trophies for playing sports. Playing sports is fun, it makes me happy. The trophies make me feel proud. I love playing sports even if i don't get trophies.
Nature
Austin W
Student
Tuolumne
2025
Not Selected
This image symbolizes the serenity of stillness. While most would prefer that the stream be flowing and thus chaotic, I enjoy the idle water. I find joy in the moment.
Nature
This image symbolizes the serenity of stillness. While most would prefer that the stream be flowing and thus chaotic, I enjoy the idle water. I find joy in the moment.
Nature
Johnny A
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
This photo of a yellow hibiscus I titled “Nature”, was taken in one of the Gardens of my school. I thought this photo could represent Joy because of how bright the colors are, and how calming it can be to look at flowers. Imagine you’re taking a walk after or during a stressful day and just taking in the beautiful scenery, I think this photo captures just how calming it could be.
Nature
This photo of a yellow hibiscus I titled “Nature”, was taken in one of the Gardens of my school. I thought this photo could represent Joy because of how bright the colors are, and how calming it can be to look at flowers. Imagine you’re taking a walk after or during a stressful day and just taking in the beautiful scenery, I think this photo captures just how calming it could be.
I took this picture in Central Park when I was in New York touring colleges with my mom. Out of all the people performing in the park, I found him the most captivating. Although he isn't smiling and the picture is black and white, I still think it represents joy. The man was so talented it was clear that he found joy in the music he played and he was sharing this joy with me as I listened.
New York Show
I took this picture in Central Park when I was in New York touring colleges with my mom. Out of all the people performing in the park, I found him the most captivating. Although he isn't smiling and the picture is black and white, I still think it represents joy. The man was so talented it was clear that he found joy in the music he played and he was sharing this joy with me as I listened.
"Nothing lasts forever" is a saying my dad says all the time. I never really grasped what this meant but this made me think about it. I took this photo of a tiny bird sculpture that I had near my front door and didn't think twice about it. Just a quick photo to represent joy right? That's what I thought but then not even 3 hours later a door dash driver shows up at the door holding the bird sculpture with a broken off wing and says "Sorry, I broke your bird". That's when I truly realized how fast a thing can go from a joyous bird sculpture to a broken mess.
Nothing Lasts Forever
"Nothing lasts forever" is a saying my dad says all the time. I never really grasped what this meant but this made me think about it. I took this photo of a tiny bird sculpture that I had near my front door and didn't think twice about it. Just a quick photo to represent joy right? That's what I thought but then not even 3 hours later a door dash driver shows up at the door holding the bird sculpture with a broken off wing and says "Sorry, I broke your bird". That's when I truly realized how fast a thing can go from a joyous bird sculpture to a broken mess.
This photo is of my dog, Lola, in our living room as she plays with her toy. I thought of this photo because nothing in this world is more joyful than a dog with a new toy! (Though the toy she's playing with in this photo isn't brand new, she left it outside months ago and just recently discovered it again. Since she's not the brightest, it's as good as new to her.)
Nothing More Joyful Than a Dog
This photo is of my dog, Lola, in our living room as she plays with her toy. I thought of this photo because nothing in this world is more joyful than a dog with a new toy! (Though the toy she's playing with in this photo isn't brand new, she left it outside months ago and just recently discovered it again. Since she's not the brightest, it's as good as new to her.)
The photo was taken in Hawaii during my spring break last year. This image resonates with the theme of "joy" because I love sunsets and the sound of ocean waves crashing. While I was there, all my worries melted away as I soaked in the beautiful scenery around me. Whenever I see a sunset, it always fills me with joy because it allows me to be part of this world and experience stunning landscapes like this one and many others.
Ocean Blue
The photo was taken in Hawaii during my spring break last year. This image resonates with the theme of "joy" because I love sunsets and the sound of ocean waves crashing. While I was there, all my worries melted away as I soaked in the beautiful scenery around me. Whenever I see a sunset, it always fills me with joy because it allows me to be part of this world and experience stunning landscapes like this one and many others.
This photo was taken on a trip to Cancun, this relates to the contest's theme "joy", because the waves and vibrant colors show so much detail and makes you feel like you can feel the air and hearing the waves make you feel alive. If I can go to that scene again I would, it's like an escape of my life and no stress or worries when I look at this photo.
Ocean's Embrace
This photo was taken on a trip to Cancun, this relates to the contest's theme "joy", because the waves and vibrant colors show so much detail and makes you feel like you can feel the air and hearing the waves make you feel alive. If I can go to that scene again I would, it's like an escape of my life and no stress or worries when I look at this photo.
This is an olive tree in the front of my house. This photo brings me joy because I love trees.
Olive Tree
This is an olive tree in the front of my house. This photo brings me joy because I love trees.
The photo was taken of my friend. We were exploring around the city and found these abandoned train tracks. It was joyous and I felt really close to my friends.
On The Tracks
The photo was taken of my friend. We were exploring around the city and found these abandoned train tracks. It was joyous and I felt really close to my friends.
One Day
Lindsie C
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Not Selected
She’s always wanted to explore the world. Anywhere. Everywhere. She’s always loved the way the world has been. The different cultures. Different styles. The different ways of living. She knows she’ll be able to accomplish her goal. The goal of traveling around the world. No matter where it is. Whether it’s Spain, France, New York. No matter where she went, she knew she’d be grateful to be there. She knew she would enjoy every single second of being graced with the breeze of the place she’ll be in. But today. Just for today. She will enjoy Vegas, but one day. Just maybe one day. She’ll be blessed with having the power to visit every single place on this home we call Earth. She will feel the moment. Looking at the skies. At all the perfect views. Taking a photo so that they last forever. She’s always found joy in this - joy in the world. Joy in staring into the abyss, getting lost in her thoughts. So one day. Just maybe one day
One Day
She’s always wanted to explore the world. Anywhere. Everywhere. She’s always loved the way the world has been. The different cultures. Different styles. The different ways of living. She knows she’ll be able to accomplish her goal. The goal of traveling around the world. No matter where it is. Whether it’s Spain, France, New York. No matter where she went, she knew she’d be grateful to be there. She knew she would enjoy every single second of being graced with the breeze of the place she’ll be in. But today. Just for today. She will enjoy Vegas, but one day. Just maybe one day. She’ll be blessed with having the power to visit every single place on this home we call Earth. She will feel the moment. Looking at the skies. At all the perfect views. Taking a photo so that they last forever. She’s always found joy in this - joy in the world. Joy in staring into the abyss, getting lost in her thoughts. So one day. Just maybe one day
The most things in the world that bring me joy is Christmas, winter, vacation, stuffy, and my SISTERS!
Outside with My Sister
The most things in the world that bring me joy is Christmas, winter, vacation, stuffy, and my SISTERS!
This photo was taken on a mountain bike trail called "Chaney Trail". I believe that this photo relates to the theme "joy" because I feel calm and relaxed when I take pictures of nature. I also enjoy taking panoramas of nature because I can capture more of the landscape and because it provides me a more immersive experience with nature and photography.
Overlooking Chaney
This photo was taken on a mountain bike trail called "Chaney Trail". I believe that this photo relates to the theme "joy" because I feel calm and relaxed when I take pictures of nature. I also enjoy taking panoramas of nature because I can capture more of the landscape and because it provides me a more immersive experience with nature and photography.
"It's just a game."
It has never been just a game, not to me. Every game has its own meaning, its own worth. Every dribble, every play, every shot teaches you - trains you to make you better in the long run. It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, what matters is what have you learned, why did you lose? Looking back, I see how far I've gotten, looking forward to see there is much more to come. I feel waves of joy when I'm at practice with sweat streaming down my face. When I'm in a game going into the final seconds. It will always be more than a game. All I need to do is to keep pushing harder and harder past every obstacle. How far can a passion go? Where can an obsession take you? I guess we'll never know.
Passion Or Obsession - Or Both
"It's just a game."
It has never been just a game, not to me. Every game has its own meaning, its own worth. Every dribble, every play, every shot teaches you - trains you to make you better in the long run. It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, what matters is what have you learned, why did you lose? Looking back, I see how far I've gotten, looking forward to see there is much more to come. I feel waves of joy when I'm at practice with sweat streaming down my face. When I'm in a game going into the final seconds. It will always be more than a game. All I need to do is to keep pushing harder and harder past every obstacle. How far can a passion go? Where can an obsession take you? I guess we'll never know.
Pasta
Marcelo T
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
Pasta brings me joy because my dad puts hard work into it. I like that he tries and he tries every Wednesday and Sunday night to make it for the whole family. I really like my dad's pasta a lot because it's really good and I love him too.
Pasta
Pasta brings me joy because my dad puts hard work into it. I like that he tries and he tries every Wednesday and Sunday night to make it for the whole family. I really like my dad's pasta a lot because it's really good and I love him too.
Peace
Matthew M
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Not Selected
At school, the subject seems happy,
Peace
At school, the subject seems happy,
I took this photo when I was visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousins that live in Canada. My little cousin was beyond excited to see this peony, and she immediately ran up to it to smell it. She was so curious about all of the small water droplets on the flower and kept asking me questions about them, and I loved that she was so excited about the nature surrounding her. She was also so shocked about the fact that the flower was almost the same size as her head! I was so happy to have had my camera on me in that moment, because I caught a moment of joy and peacefulness between humankind and nature which is what I cherish most.
Peaceful Peonies
I took this photo when I was visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousins that live in Canada. My little cousin was beyond excited to see this peony, and she immediately ran up to it to smell it. She was so curious about all of the small water droplets on the flower and kept asking me questions about them, and I loved that she was so excited about the nature surrounding her. She was also so shocked about the fact that the flower was almost the same size as her head! I was so happy to have had my camera on me in that moment, because I caught a moment of joy and peacefulness between humankind and nature which is what I cherish most.
This photo of my little brother was taken in my home using a blanket as a backdrop. It is one of my earliest planned and thought-out portraits and has sparked a blaze of creativity in my previously closed mind. If you look closely, you can see the peach fuzz on my brother's face, a sign that he is growing up. It's hard to envision my little brother as someone who will eventually be a man. What is easy to see is how we make each other laugh. I hope we will be friends for life.
Peach Fuzz
This photo of my little brother was taken in my home using a blanket as a backdrop. It is one of my earliest planned and thought-out portraits and has sparked a blaze of creativity in my previously closed mind. If you look closely, you can see the peach fuzz on my brother's face, a sign that he is growing up. It's hard to envision my little brother as someone who will eventually be a man. What is easy to see is how we make each other laugh. I hope we will be friends for life.
Pepper
Rafael O
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
I have a dog named Pepper. She is black, but she is a Golden Doodle. She is VERY friendly. She is a great pet. She has a best friend named Sandy. I love her!!!
Pepper
I have a dog named Pepper. She is black, but she is a Golden Doodle. She is VERY friendly. She is a great pet. She has a best friend named Sandy. I love her!!!
I like to take photos of my dog. He is super cute and a pure expression of Joy. This photo shows him enjoying some rest and relaxation
Pets Bring Me Joy
I like to take photos of my dog. He is super cute and a pure expression of Joy. This photo shows him enjoying some rest and relaxation