Friends
Austin L
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Not Selected
This photo was taken during a day where me and my freinds hung out. This photo relates to joy because when my friends and I are all together we feel a sense of Joy and excitement. I really wanna win …..
Friends
This photo was taken during a day where me and my freinds hung out. This photo relates to joy because when my friends and I are all together we feel a sense of Joy and excitement. I really wanna win …..
This photo was taken in a dry area in which this water is usually scarce in other parts of the year, making this photo only possible towards the beginning of spring when the snow melt. This photo is supposed to represent joy by representing how the things we need can appear from places most people don't expect. This water is rarely seen by many as it runs underground, but these water caves are what keep people sustained and hydrated every year.
From Our Mountains to Our Cups
This photo was taken in a dry area in which this water is usually scarce in other parts of the year, making this photo only possible towards the beginning of spring when the snow melt. This photo is supposed to represent joy by representing how the things we need can appear from places most people don't expect. This water is rarely seen by many as it runs underground, but these water caves are what keep people sustained and hydrated every year.
This photo perfectly captures joy, happiness, and living in the moment. It freezes a carefree, fun-filled experience—one of those unexpected surprises that turn into cherished memories. The silly string was completely unplanned, making the laughter even more genuine. The bright sunshine, open space, and natural background enhance the lighthearted, joyful mood. This image is a reminder to embrace life's little moments, laugh often, and not take things too seriously. It was taken outdoors near a beautiful row of trees in front of a building, adding to the natural and lively atmosphere. The photograph connects to the theme of "Joy" because it captures a spontaneous moment of laughter when the subject was caught off guard by an unexpected silly string surprise. Her reaction was priceless, making the experience even more fun and full of positive energy. The warm sunlight, outdoor setting, and vibrant surroundings all contribute to the lively and happy feel of the photo, emphasizing the beauty of simple, unexpected moments.
Fun Surprise in the Sun
This photo perfectly captures joy, happiness, and living in the moment. It freezes a carefree, fun-filled experience—one of those unexpected surprises that turn into cherished memories. The silly string was completely unplanned, making the laughter even more genuine. The bright sunshine, open space, and natural background enhance the lighthearted, joyful mood. This image is a reminder to embrace life's little moments, laugh often, and not take things too seriously. It was taken outdoors near a beautiful row of trees in front of a building, adding to the natural and lively atmosphere. The photograph connects to the theme of "Joy" because it captures a spontaneous moment of laughter when the subject was caught off guard by an unexpected silly string surprise. Her reaction was priceless, making the experience even more fun and full of positive energy. The warm sunlight, outdoor setting, and vibrant surroundings all contribute to the lively and happy feel of the photo, emphasizing the beauty of simple, unexpected moments.
This picture brings me joy because I am with my cousins who live far away. I like being with my cousins because they are very silly, cute, and crazy! It is fun going to Raging Waters with my cousins. We also went to the rodeo together. Summer brought me joy.
Funny Faces
This picture brings me joy because I am with my cousins who live far away. I like being with my cousins because they are very silly, cute, and crazy! It is fun going to Raging Waters with my cousins. We also went to the rodeo together. Summer brought me joy.
This photo was taken at my high school. This relates to the theme " Joy" because all of them are laughing and appear very joyful.
Funny Group
This photo was taken at my high school. This relates to the theme " Joy" because all of them are laughing and appear very joyful.
Imagine waking up in the morning filled with anticipation as you remember it’s the best day ever - Christmas. You burst through your bedroom door, eager to rip open your presents with thoughts of possible treasures that may be lying underneath the tree. You reach the Christmas tree. You hope that one of them has something special that you have wanted from last year, or maybe that one toy you saw yesterday. Yet, the one that catches your eye is a small neatly wrapped box. It reminds me that gifts can come in any size, but it’s the joy of giving that matters the most. My photography relates to this year’s theme of joy because it shows the happiness of getting a gift on Christmas Day. The whirlwind of excitement, joy, and anticipation of getting a gift makes you appreciate the little things in life.
Gift of Joy
Imagine waking up in the morning filled with anticipation as you remember it’s the best day ever - Christmas. You burst through your bedroom door, eager to rip open your presents with thoughts of possible treasures that may be lying underneath the tree. You reach the Christmas tree. You hope that one of them has something special that you have wanted from last year, or maybe that one toy you saw yesterday. Yet, the one that catches your eye is a small neatly wrapped box. It reminds me that gifts can come in any size, but it’s the joy of giving that matters the most. My photography relates to this year’s theme of joy because it shows the happiness of getting a gift on Christmas Day. The whirlwind of excitement, joy, and anticipation of getting a gift makes you appreciate the little things in life.
My Golden Hour Portait was taken at my local park. It was an assignment for Photography class, the theme was fashion. The girl in my picture is my best friend and my model for photography class. We had a lot of fun taking photos, the joy in the photo was us having a good time with each other.
Golden Hour
My Golden Hour Portait was taken at my local park. It was an assignment for Photography class, the theme was fashion. The girl in my picture is my best friend and my model for photography class. We had a lot of fun taking photos, the joy in the photo was us having a good time with each other.
This photo was taken in August of 2024 in my backyard and it reminds me of a lot of things, one of them being a nostalgia I never experienced. It makes me think of what people see when they pass away. I took this photo by standing on a garden box by a eucalyptus tree.
Gracious Eucalyptus
This photo was taken in August of 2024 in my backyard and it reminds me of a lot of things, one of them being a nostalgia I never experienced. It makes me think of what people see when they pass away. I took this photo by standing on a garden box by a eucalyptus tree.
Grateful
Aedan G
Student
Los Angeles
2025
Honorable Mention
This picture relates to this year's theme of joy, because looking out on the beautiful skyline from atop the Griffith Observatory I feel a feeling of joy and gratefulness that just washes over me. Within all the chaos of daily life it's calming and refreshing to look out on downtown LA. It helps me brush off any stresses I have and center myself, realizing the joy of the simple things in life.
Grateful
This picture relates to this year's theme of joy, because looking out on the beautiful skyline from atop the Griffith Observatory I feel a feeling of joy and gratefulness that just washes over me. Within all the chaos of daily life it's calming and refreshing to look out on downtown LA. It helps me brush off any stresses I have and center myself, realizing the joy of the simple things in life.
This photograph ties back to our theme of joy through the simple expression that our model gives us allowing us to see a grin that shines through the photo. To go with this there is a collision between dark and light with the joy that's radiating being seen in blue, while the red is signifying the abyss which us as humans deal with everyday. As people everyday we face challenges but just like the portrait we must allow the blue or joy to overpower the abyss that we face daily in order to keep pushing to not only live a good life but a joyful life. This image was taken in our studio using a two light set up to highlight two halves of the photo each in different colors by using colored sheets to give the accents you see, only being edited to help the color pop just a tad bit more.
Grinning in the Abyss
This photograph ties back to our theme of joy through the simple expression that our model gives us allowing us to see a grin that shines through the photo. To go with this there is a collision between dark and light with the joy that's radiating being seen in blue, while the red is signifying the abyss which us as humans deal with everyday. As people everyday we face challenges but just like the portrait we must allow the blue or joy to overpower the abyss that we face daily in order to keep pushing to not only live a good life but a joyful life. This image was taken in our studio using a two light set up to highlight two halves of the photo each in different colors by using colored sheets to give the accents you see, only being edited to help the color pop just a tad bit more.
A child was climbing on the monkey bars int he playground looking joyful. His happiness reminded me of all my joyful moments of being a kid and playing in playgrounds. I wanted to take a picture of him because it captures a very joyful moment. The. moment when he was climbing the monkey bars, really relating to this year's theme "JOY."
Hangin' On Bars
A child was climbing on the monkey bars int he playground looking joyful. His happiness reminded me of all my joyful moments of being a kid and playing in playgrounds. I wanted to take a picture of him because it captures a very joyful moment. The. moment when he was climbing the monkey bars, really relating to this year's theme "JOY."
When most people imagine teens, they think of bratty little kids with an attitude. Well that's true. However, when we do find ourselves outside in a big field, we manage to take the most majestic photos the world has ever seen. Even better than Henri Cartier Bresson. I have no idea who that is. I took this photo while on a walk with my friends. This photo illustrates my friends having fun out in nature.
Hanging Out
When most people imagine teens, they think of bratty little kids with an attitude. Well that's true. However, when we do find ourselves outside in a big field, we manage to take the most majestic photos the world has ever seen. Even better than Henri Cartier Bresson. I have no idea who that is. I took this photo while on a walk with my friends. This photo illustrates my friends having fun out in nature.
The photo was taken in my school by a pond. This picture relates to joy because this is meant to represent a kid running through a field because they are young and found nature happy and pretty.
Happiness
The photo was taken in my school by a pond. This picture relates to joy because this is meant to represent a kid running through a field because they are young and found nature happy and pretty.
I took this picture right after we had left the park, inside of our car. This picture was taken mid smile when the sun hit her face. Her face looked so filled with joy and she looked so happy, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take such an amazing photo of her.
Happiness
I took this picture right after we had left the park, inside of our car. This picture was taken mid smile when the sun hit her face. Her face looked so filled with joy and she looked so happy, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take such an amazing photo of her.
The photo was taken by a beautiful house with flowers and trees. My photograph relates to joy because my picture includes the sun, happiness and nature.
Happiness with Nature!
The photo was taken by a beautiful house with flowers and trees. My photograph relates to joy because my picture includes the sun, happiness and nature.
What I like about this tree is when I am sad I can just go there and sit. Then I become happy. That's why this photo represents joy.
Happy Place
What I like about this tree is when I am sad I can just go there and sit. Then I become happy. That's why this photo represents joy.
Walking home is not an easy task. But when walking home from school, not ready to take on the hills in the heat or cold, I see this wall. The wall I pass everyday has always brought me joy with its cute happy images and thinking of this project I thought it was perfect. Seeing these little guys smiling at you will being a smile to your face and I wanted to share that with people who don’t get to greet them every day.
Happy Wall
Walking home is not an easy task. But when walking home from school, not ready to take on the hills in the heat or cold, I see this wall. The wall I pass everyday has always brought me joy with its cute happy images and thinking of this project I thought it was perfect. Seeing these little guys smiling at you will being a smile to your face and I wanted to share that with people who don’t get to greet them every day.
This photo was taken outside a school, capturing a heartwarming moment as a mother picks up her son. The shot was taken near sundown, when the sky had already darkened, giving the scene a warm, intimate glow. This photograph connects deeply with the theme "Joy," as it shows the pure happiness both the mother and son share in their reunion. The son’s excitement to see his mother and the mother's joyful embrace highlight the deep, everyday moments of connection and love. I would like the judges to know that this image celebrates the simple, yet powerful, moments of joy that come from family bonds.
Heartfelt Happiness
This photo was taken outside a school, capturing a heartwarming moment as a mother picks up her son. The shot was taken near sundown, when the sky had already darkened, giving the scene a warm, intimate glow. This photograph connects deeply with the theme "Joy," as it shows the pure happiness both the mother and son share in their reunion. The son’s excitement to see his mother and the mother's joyful embrace highlight the deep, everyday moments of connection and love. I would like the judges to know that this image celebrates the simple, yet powerful, moments of joy that come from family bonds.
I took this picture at Henninger flats above Eaton Canyon. It is about an hour bike ride. This picture relates to joy as I feel joyful here. Sadly, it burned down during the Eaton fire, so I can no longer go there.
Hike to Henninger
I took this picture at Henninger flats above Eaton Canyon. It is about an hour bike ride. This picture relates to joy as I feel joyful here. Sadly, it burned down during the Eaton fire, so I can no longer go there.
The photo was photography in a well lighted studio. In the studio, I captured a moment where was smiling, experiencing his "joy" for the moment.
His Smile
The photo was photography in a well lighted studio. In the studio, I captured a moment where was smiling, experiencing his "joy" for the moment.