Nature is beautiful isn't it? But when most people think of nature they think of the sky or the vibrant green trees. Not in this case I like to focus more on the water. Think about it - the sights, the vibrant blue it brings out the calmness and tranquility. The reflection of the trees and the sun shimmering across the lake. Sometimes I wish I could come back and take in the sights of the lakes once more.
Bahama Blues
Nature is beautiful isn't it? But when most people think of nature they think of the sky or the vibrant green trees. Not in this case I like to focus more on the water. Think about it - the sights, the vibrant blue it brings out the calmness and tranquility. The reflection of the trees and the sun shimmering across the lake. Sometimes I wish I could come back and take in the sights of the lakes once more.
Barney
Stacey R
Teacher
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
This photo was taken on a hike near the school.
Although I didn't know you, the attention you were getting by passersby caught my eye. A handful of flowers picked along the way and a butterfly on top of your memorial. Maybe sad in someone else's heart, but it brought me a peaceful, quiet, joy.
Barney
This photo was taken on a hike near the school.
Although I didn't know you, the attention you were getting by passersby caught my eye. A handful of flowers picked along the way and a butterfly on top of your memorial. Maybe sad in someone else's heart, but it brought me a peaceful, quiet, joy.
Batman
Beatrix D
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
This is my cat Batman. We found him when he was 2 weeks old and he brings me joy! He loves to go outside, lick the bath tub when it is wet, and sleep in his cat tree.
Batman
This is my cat Batman. We found him when he was 2 weeks old and he brings me joy! He loves to go outside, lick the bath tub when it is wet, and sleep in his cat tree.
Beans
Noni S
Student
San Diego
2025
Honorable Mention
The photo is joyful because it is of my cat Beans and I love her. Beans is a five year old cat and she is beautiful and very sweet, and she likes hiding in baskets and swiping at my two other cats.
Beans
The photo is joyful because it is of my cat Beans and I love her. Beans is a five year old cat and she is beautiful and very sweet, and she likes hiding in baskets and swiping at my two other cats.
Sometimes, joy comes in the smallest surprises—like a tiny frozen bear perched on the rim of an iced tea, its little paws resting as if ready for a hug. As it melts away, laughter fills the air, turning a simple drink into a cherished memory. It’s a reminder that happiness isn’t just in big adventures but in fleeting moments, shared smiles, and the little things that make life sweet. Taken in a Hong Kong style restraunt in Taishan,Guangdong Province, China.
Bearing Small Moments
Sometimes, joy comes in the smallest surprises—like a tiny frozen bear perched on the rim of an iced tea, its little paws resting as if ready for a hug. As it melts away, laughter fills the air, turning a simple drink into a cherished memory. It’s a reminder that happiness isn’t just in big adventures but in fleeting moments, shared smiles, and the little things that make life sweet. Taken in a Hong Kong style restraunt in Taishan,Guangdong Province, China.
This is a sunset at Cardiff Reef, in San Diego, California. This picture brings me joy because when I took this picture I was sitting with my family on a blanket in the sand. We were all eating burritos; my dad, sister, and I had just gotten out of the water from surfing. My mom and my baby brother were waiting for us on the beach. Watching the sunset surrounded by my family was a perfect evening for me.
Beautiful Beach Sunset
This is a sunset at Cardiff Reef, in San Diego, California. This picture brings me joy because when I took this picture I was sitting with my family on a blanket in the sand. We were all eating burritos; my dad, sister, and I had just gotten out of the water from surfing. My mom and my baby brother were waiting for us on the beach. Watching the sunset surrounded by my family was a perfect evening for me.
This photo was taken at the Aquarium of The Pacific. This photograph relates to this year's contest theme of joy, because it shows the fascination with the aquatic world and how beautiful it can be. It shows the captivating colors and wildlife that the ocean has to offer that we don't get to see from the surface.
Below the Surface
This photo was taken at the Aquarium of The Pacific. This photograph relates to this year's contest theme of joy, because it shows the fascination with the aquatic world and how beautiful it can be. It shows the captivating colors and wildlife that the ocean has to offer that we don't get to see from the surface.
This is a photo I took with my friends in the mountains on a bike ride. It was a very interesting time and brought me joy.
Bike Ride
This is a photo I took with my friends in the mountains on a bike ride. It was a very interesting time and brought me joy.
A warm home filled with entertainment and laughter. The joy on the boy’s face as he looks down at his delicious cake. The candles burn just as bright as his future, filled with new pride, friends, and discoveries. The flame is the ember, igniting joy as he turns double digits. The glee of blowing out the candles after making a birthday wish. There’s no other joy than the happiness someone feels when they tear the fun-colored wrapping paper to see the new toy they can enjoy! The moment is filled with cheers and laughter as everyone eats as much cake and ice cream as they desire. At the end of the day, the memories are everlasting joy!
Birthday Party
A warm home filled with entertainment and laughter. The joy on the boy’s face as he looks down at his delicious cake. The candles burn just as bright as his future, filled with new pride, friends, and discoveries. The flame is the ember, igniting joy as he turns double digits. The glee of blowing out the candles after making a birthday wish. There’s no other joy than the happiness someone feels when they tear the fun-colored wrapping paper to see the new toy they can enjoy! The moment is filled with cheers and laughter as everyone eats as much cake and ice cream as they desire. At the end of the day, the memories are everlasting joy!
Beautiful, Breathtaking, Birthday View in Baja California. What brought me the most joy is, I spent my weekend with the ones I love the most, after doing what I love the most. Couldn’t have wished for anything more.
Birthday Wishes
Beautiful, Breathtaking, Birthday View in Baja California. What brought me the most joy is, I spent my weekend with the ones I love the most, after doing what I love the most. Couldn’t have wished for anything more.
Black Cats
Maximilliano G
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
I have two black cats, Boo and Riley. When I come home, I am happy to see them. When I pet my cats, they purr. When I play with my cats, they make me feel joy.
Black Cats
I have two black cats, Boo and Riley. When I come home, I am happy to see them. When I pet my cats, they purr. When I play with my cats, they make me feel joy.
Joy is a deep sense of happiness and contentment. It is one of the purest feelings in life. A moment when a person feels joy is a moment where everything in the world seems to be perfect, and trying to capture that in a photograph is not an easy task, as I believe joy is represented in so many things. But this photograph represents joy to me as it symbolizes a sense of purity and hope to grow up and bloom with a purpose and passion. When I grow up, I hope to become a nurse. It brings me joy when I imagine helping other people. Another part of my photograph that I see joy in is the lights above the flowers. To me, they represent finding the light in life and the things that bring you joy in the darkest times. Flowers make people better and happier; they are sunshine and medicine for the mind, they are the true beauty of the world, and they bring happiness to those who possess them.
Bloom with Joy
Joy is a deep sense of happiness and contentment. It is one of the purest feelings in life. A moment when a person feels joy is a moment where everything in the world seems to be perfect, and trying to capture that in a photograph is not an easy task, as I believe joy is represented in so many things. But this photograph represents joy to me as it symbolizes a sense of purity and hope to grow up and bloom with a purpose and passion. When I grow up, I hope to become a nurse. It brings me joy when I imagine helping other people. Another part of my photograph that I see joy in is the lights above the flowers. To me, they represent finding the light in life and the things that bring you joy in the darkest times. Flowers make people better and happier; they are sunshine and medicine for the mind, they are the true beauty of the world, and they bring happiness to those who possess them.
Life is complicated, day by day, we pass so many things. Relationships with other people, work that keeps us running without rest - we might have missed something, joy. Why not slow down and look at what we have? It may be one small flower. Through this one flower that blooms this small emotion, we can see the vast world behind it. Joy, so small, may not quite be a big part of a life. But, it allows us to remember to slow down and maybe take time to be joyful of what we have. And to remember to keep our thoughts simple.
Blossoming Joy
Life is complicated, day by day, we pass so many things. Relationships with other people, work that keeps us running without rest - we might have missed something, joy. Why not slow down and look at what we have? It may be one small flower. Through this one flower that blooms this small emotion, we can see the vast world behind it. Joy, so small, may not quite be a big part of a life. But, it allows us to remember to slow down and maybe take time to be joyful of what we have. And to remember to keep our thoughts simple.
As far as the eye can see. Japanese cuisine. Presents. It would bring anyone joy. It's the feeling of being in a place that you wished you wanted to be ever since you were young. It's so festive. It's so nice. We should go Again.
Bright. No Dark.
As far as the eye can see. Japanese cuisine. Presents. It would bring anyone joy. It's the feeling of being in a place that you wished you wanted to be ever since you were young. It's so festive. It's so nice. We should go Again.
Bubble
Jordan M
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
The image bursts with a symphony of colors—soft pastels blending with vibrant blues, pinks, and greens, all refracted through the delicate, translucent surface of the bubbles. Light bounces and scatters, creating a mesmerizing prism effect that feels almost magical. The glowing hexagonal bokeh adds depth and whimsy, making the scene feel ethereal and full of life.
Bubbles bring joy because they embody playfulness, lightness, and the simple pleasures of childhood. Their fleeting nature reminds us to appreciate small, beautiful moments, while their weightless dance through the air sparks a sense of wonder. Whether floating freely or bursting into a shimmer of light, bubbles have an almost universal ability to make people smile, evoking nostalgia, laughter, and a momentary escape from the ordinary
Bubble
The image bursts with a symphony of colors—soft pastels blending with vibrant blues, pinks, and greens, all refracted through the delicate, translucent surface of the bubbles. Light bounces and scatters, creating a mesmerizing prism effect that feels almost magical. The glowing hexagonal bokeh adds depth and whimsy, making the scene feel ethereal and full of life.
Bubbles bring joy because they embody playfulness, lightness, and the simple pleasures of childhood. Their fleeting nature reminds us to appreciate small, beautiful moments, while their weightless dance through the air sparks a sense of wonder. Whether floating freely or bursting into a shimmer of light, bubbles have an almost universal ability to make people smile, evoking nostalgia, laughter, and a momentary escape from the ordinary
I pass this area on my daily drive to work. So often we overlook the joyful things in life. This reminds me how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful state.
California joy. No other state rivals ours in terms of breathtaking diversity, offering the unique ability to drive through majestic mountains to stunning oceans and iconic landmarks within a day, which is truly a joy.
California Joy
I pass this area on my daily drive to work. So often we overlook the joyful things in life. This reminds me how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful state.
California joy. No other state rivals ours in terms of breathtaking diversity, offering the unique ability to drive through majestic mountains to stunning oceans and iconic landmarks within a day, which is truly a joy.
This photo was taken during a delightful hiking trip that unfolded near the beautiful sea. As I made my way along the trails, I encountered a stunning variety of flowers that dotted the landscape. However, among all the different blooms, it was the bright, cheerful poppies that truly captured my attention, standing out boldly against the more common daisies surrounding them. Their vibrant colors—ranging from deep orange to sunny yellow—along with the lush green of their stems and leaves created a scene that exuded an air of mystery and an inexplicable, joyful happiness. It's interesting to note that many people hold the belief that bright colors can evoke feelings of joy and satisfaction far more effectively than darker hues, like blue and violet, which can sometimes convey a different mood altogether.
California Poppies
This photo was taken during a delightful hiking trip that unfolded near the beautiful sea. As I made my way along the trails, I encountered a stunning variety of flowers that dotted the landscape. However, among all the different blooms, it was the bright, cheerful poppies that truly captured my attention, standing out boldly against the more common daisies surrounding them. Their vibrant colors—ranging from deep orange to sunny yellow—along with the lush green of their stems and leaves created a scene that exuded an air of mystery and an inexplicable, joyful happiness. It's interesting to note that many people hold the belief that bright colors can evoke feelings of joy and satisfaction far more effectively than darker hues, like blue and violet, which can sometimes convey a different mood altogether.
My picture was taken at a beach. My picture relates to the contest theme Joy because nature brings me joy and relaxation.
Calm Beach
My picture was taken at a beach. My picture relates to the contest theme Joy because nature brings me joy and relaxation.
This beautiful photograph was taken on a trip I took to Washington, D.C. in the winter of 2024. Choosing one of my pictures for this year's contest wasn't easy, at all. After time of thinking through and picking out my top three shots I finally decided on "Calming Wonders". This image evoked a profound sense of peacefulness, happiness, and joy. I get excited looking at how amazing the classic architecture is, filled with lush greenery, a calming fountain as its center, the soft natural light, it all comes together to bring me pure joy.
Calming Wonders
This beautiful photograph was taken on a trip I took to Washington, D.C. in the winter of 2024. Choosing one of my pictures for this year's contest wasn't easy, at all. After time of thinking through and picking out my top three shots I finally decided on "Calming Wonders". This image evoked a profound sense of peacefulness, happiness, and joy. I get excited looking at how amazing the classic architecture is, filled with lush greenery, a calming fountain as its center, the soft natural light, it all comes together to bring me pure joy.
The photo is the Pixar Pal-A-round located at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.
The image relates to the theme of joy because Mickey's wheel is often associated with feelings of happiness and comfort. We experience joy when you think of how Disneyland brings together friendships, love, and adventure. As a toddler, I remember looking at Mickey's wheel and being amazed by the size of it. I watched as people got off laughing, smiling, and some in tears, but most people looked happy. I always wondered what it was like. Although I was too little to get on it myself, I experienced joy. Now that I am old enough to ride it myself, I experience joy in a different way.
Each day of my life,
Is like a Ferris wheel
I keep spinning around
And learning lessons
Sometimes it's scary
And sometimes, it brings joy
But you gotta keep spinning
And moving forward to see life from a different perspective
You have to experience the highs and lows of life
Sometimes, you have to ignore the background noise
And that is when you really learn to enjoy the ride.
Know if The ride of life
Capture the Magic
The photo is the Pixar Pal-A-round located at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.
The image relates to the theme of joy because Mickey's wheel is often associated with feelings of happiness and comfort. We experience joy when you think of how Disneyland brings together friendships, love, and adventure. As a toddler, I remember looking at Mickey's wheel and being amazed by the size of it. I watched as people got off laughing, smiling, and some in tears, but most people looked happy. I always wondered what it was like. Although I was too little to get on it myself, I experienced joy. Now that I am old enough to ride it myself, I experience joy in a different way.
Each day of my life,
Is like a Ferris wheel
I keep spinning around
And learning lessons
Sometimes it's scary
And sometimes, it brings joy
But you gotta keep spinning
And moving forward to see life from a different perspective
You have to experience the highs and lows of life
Sometimes, you have to ignore the background noise
And that is when you really learn to enjoy the ride.
Know if The ride of life