In the corner the sunlight spills, with warmth and laughter, all that thrills.
I hear the coffee machines do their work, as steaming cups of matcha glow.
The smell dances through the air, with pastries so sweet, with every bite its a joyful treat.
A smile shared over cups, in this haven happiness erupts.
As we tell stories and laugh along.
Outside the window, the world rushes by,
but here we relax, and time can fly.
With the sip of a warm and sweet matcha,
you know everything is going to be alright.
Two Sugars, No Worries.
In the corner the sunlight spills, with warmth and laughter, all that thrills.
I hear the coffee machines do their work, as steaming cups of matcha glow.
The smell dances through the air, with pastries so sweet, with every bite its a joyful treat.
A smile shared over cups, in this haven happiness erupts.
As we tell stories and laugh along.
Outside the window, the world rushes by,
but here we relax, and time can fly.
With the sip of a warm and sweet matcha,
you know everything is going to be alright.
My photo was taken at a local park with fields of grass that goes on and on. It was around the golden hour when it was taken, from a low perspective to capture from the ground. This photo relates to the theme “Joy” because it's simply pure happiness shown in a way that makes life feel brighter and more colorful with no filter. The model is expressing himself with his radiant smile and genuine laughter in the photo. We connect warmth and joy together and with the golden hour illuminating the setting as a whole, it’s that happy feeling that embraces contentment. His clothes as well highlight the unfiltered and colorful atmosphere created to embody joy. The model is my best friend who always helps me out, especially for photos. During the process of taking the photo, the model and I kept going back and forth telling each other stupid things which made him laugh and smile a lot. I enjoyed taking the photo a lot and it made me feel joyful myself.
Unfiltered Happiness
My photo was taken at a local park with fields of grass that goes on and on. It was around the golden hour when it was taken, from a low perspective to capture from the ground. This photo relates to the theme “Joy” because it's simply pure happiness shown in a way that makes life feel brighter and more colorful with no filter. The model is expressing himself with his radiant smile and genuine laughter in the photo. We connect warmth and joy together and with the golden hour illuminating the setting as a whole, it’s that happy feeling that embraces contentment. His clothes as well highlight the unfiltered and colorful atmosphere created to embody joy. The model is my best friend who always helps me out, especially for photos. During the process of taking the photo, the model and I kept going back and forth telling each other stupid things which made him laugh and smile a lot. I enjoyed taking the photo a lot and it made me feel joyful myself.
Filled with joy at the sight of the sunset I quickly snapped a picture. The vibrant colors the sunset produced was a pleasing sight. The sunset was enjoyable but so was my trip to Belize. I swam in the rain while watching another sunset. Playing games with my sister until we got too cold to stay out any longer. Best trip ever.
Up In The Skies
Filled with joy at the sight of the sunset I quickly snapped a picture. The vibrant colors the sunset produced was a pleasing sight. The sunset was enjoyable but so was my trip to Belize. I swam in the rain while watching another sunset. Playing games with my sister until we got too cold to stay out any longer. Best trip ever.
Vroom
Jaydan L
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Not Selected
This photograph was taken in a quiet parking lot on a cloudy day. The sleek lines and polished surface of the car reflect the joy of movement, freedom, and adventure. For many. cars are more that just transportation- the represent the excitement of the open road, the thrill of acceleration, and the happiness of reaching new destinations. The contrast between the structured environment and the natural trees in the background highlights the balance between motion and stillness, a moment of joy captured in anticipation of the next journey.
Vroom
This photograph was taken in a quiet parking lot on a cloudy day. The sleek lines and polished surface of the car reflect the joy of movement, freedom, and adventure. For many. cars are more that just transportation- the represent the excitement of the open road, the thrill of acceleration, and the happiness of reaching new destinations. The contrast between the structured environment and the natural trees in the background highlights the balance between motion and stillness, a moment of joy captured in anticipation of the next journey.
This photo was taken in Palanga, Lithuania. My family and I decided to take a walk outside and see what we could find. As I was walking my sensory details instantly kicked in. I could hear the birds chipping and I could smell the fresh dirt under my feet. To me nothing could bring me more joy than being outside with my family in a place I love.
Walking in the Woods
This photo was taken in Palanga, Lithuania. My family and I decided to take a walk outside and see what we could find. As I was walking my sensory details instantly kicked in. I could hear the birds chipping and I could smell the fresh dirt under my feet. To me nothing could bring me more joy than being outside with my family in a place I love.
My family has a yearly tradition of visiting the Huntington Gardens before Christmas, and I always look forward to seeing the water lilies. This trip always brings me joy during the holidays, and I always think of the water lilies when I think of Christmas.
Water Lily
My family has a yearly tradition of visiting the Huntington Gardens before Christmas, and I always look forward to seeing the water lilies. This trip always brings me joy during the holidays, and I always think of the water lilies when I think of Christmas.
You and your mom collapse onto the floor. Tired from the exhausting running, playing, and laughing that you two have been doing all morning. Lying on the ground, backs to mud, you both stare at the sky. The sun is so bright you can only squint. You are too tired to care. Both of you exchange ideas for the clouds. What could they be? Dragons, birds, plants, and humans all spring up in the conversation, but nothing comes up more than your laughing. You lay there for a few minutes; staring up at the clouds. Closing your eyes you feel the wind brushing gently on your face. Nothing could ever be more wonderful than this.
What They Saw
You and your mom collapse onto the floor. Tired from the exhausting running, playing, and laughing that you two have been doing all morning. Lying on the ground, backs to mud, you both stare at the sky. The sun is so bright you can only squint. You are too tired to care. Both of you exchange ideas for the clouds. What could they be? Dragons, birds, plants, and humans all spring up in the conversation, but nothing comes up more than your laughing. You lay there for a few minutes; staring up at the clouds. Closing your eyes you feel the wind brushing gently on your face. Nothing could ever be more wonderful than this.
I want you to think of a moment when time stands stagnant. Nothing else matters except for your passion. Complete tunnel vision for your craft. Where everything else fades into a background and you're focused on your art. When the lines separating your life and your art blur and you can fly while still and soar while stationary. Now I don't know what that is for you, but for me that's soccer and nothing brings me more joy than soccer does. Shooting along a mirror I was able to create a reflective effect which emphasizes that in that moment of joy, nothing matters but that moment. And in addition with color grading to emphasize an intense exuberance, joy as it is to me is encapsulated. And so now if you have that moment inside your mind, that tiny slice in time where nothing else matters except your passion, your joy, your everything, ask yourself this... How long has it been? How long since you engulfed yourself in that one passion that you've been meaning to get back to but just can't find the time. That one hobby that you saw online and was dying to try but life came barging in and swept it to the wayside. If I can leave you with anything it's this. Don't wait. Don't say, "Oh I'll do it soon" because time rarely stands stagnant and then "soon" turns to "eventually" and "eventually" turns to "only time will tell" and then it does tell... and your time is up. So don't wait for joy to catch up with your life and make it catch up to you.
When Time Stands Stagnant
I want you to think of a moment when time stands stagnant. Nothing else matters except for your passion. Complete tunnel vision for your craft. Where everything else fades into a background and you're focused on your art. When the lines separating your life and your art blur and you can fly while still and soar while stationary. Now I don't know what that is for you, but for me that's soccer and nothing brings me more joy than soccer does. Shooting along a mirror I was able to create a reflective effect which emphasizes that in that moment of joy, nothing matters but that moment. And in addition with color grading to emphasize an intense exuberance, joy as it is to me is encapsulated. And so now if you have that moment inside your mind, that tiny slice in time where nothing else matters except your passion, your joy, your everything, ask yourself this... How long has it been? How long since you engulfed yourself in that one passion that you've been meaning to get back to but just can't find the time. That one hobby that you saw online and was dying to try but life came barging in and swept it to the wayside. If I can leave you with anything it's this. Don't wait. Don't say, "Oh I'll do it soon" because time rarely stands stagnant and then "soon" turns to "eventually" and "eventually" turns to "only time will tell" and then it does tell... and your time is up. So don't wait for joy to catch up with your life and make it catch up to you.