This photograph represents happiness to me because when a kid smiles for you, it is one of the most genuine smiles you can receive because they are so innocent and carefree. (VENOOS MOSHAYEDI)Beyonce Formation World Tour at Levi’s stadium. I finally got to see my favorite singer in concert. She was so fierce. #slay (NICKI PADAR)Nothing could be happier than spending your whole life with your loved one. (ZHEN LU)Traveling. I love to explore new places, learn new things about the world, different cultures, and have the pleasure of not worrying about social media. This photo was taken on the southern islands of Thailand. You have to go! (NICHOLAS YOON)This photo represents one of my happiest moments. For most of high school, my friends and I listened to Chance The Rapper constantly. Whenever we would do anything, Chance was always playing in the background. Chance is the background music to my high school experience, and while high school is over, listening to him reminds me of happy past memories and fun times. As Chance continues to make more music and evolve, new memories are created for me, and the happiness that I feel about high school memories are extended to the new ones that I am making in college. (ROSIE SCHWARZ)There’s a lot going on in this picture, so let me break it down for you. In the foreground we have my little cousin holding a partially-eaten piece of ham with her Dora Band-Aid-clad fingers. To the left, we see the phantom figure of my other cousin helping herself to another serving of food and being a bystander to what’s happening on the right — my brother locking my sweet, 75-year-old grandmother in a hug/chokehold. In a nutshell, happiness is the holidays with my family. (ARIEL ROBBINS)Happiness is evening walks at the Arboretum (featuring my friend Sanjana Srinivas). (DEBPARNA PRATIHER)I somewhat recently started to get into concert photography and for months it was a struggle. Emails went unanswered, messages went unread, photo teams received my applications and never called me back. All I could see were other photographers simply walking into the events I dreamed of and acting like it was just another casual Friday night. Though it would’ve made sense to be jealous of these successful individuals, that wouldn’t bring me any closer to my own personal goals. Rather, it only gave me hope and determination to keep on my path and keep working hard. Essentially, my story was like any of those classic clichéd movies where nothing seemed to go right no matter how hard I tried. Then, just like in those movies, it happened. One reply became three and eventually I got to here with this picture I took of the famous electronic music duo Odesza at their show in Sacramento on May 14. And now after them, I have even bigger names booked on the horizon. (CHARLES MIIN)My dog is simply the epitome of happiness. (LUCY KNOWLES)Pictured is the CoHo menu. I chose this for the Happiness Photo Essay because seeing that menu makes me happy; knowing that in approximately five minutes, I will be able to enjoy an ice-cold beverage means my day will be that much better! (CHELBERT DAI)To me, happiness is knowing that I shared some amazing memories with these people and I know they’ll always have my back and love me unconditionally. (ALEXA FONTANILLA)This is my sister, Wendy, with her boyfriend Danny. I took this photo for their 10-year anniversary, but this year will be their 12th year together. Wendy is truly the kindest person I know and she is so loving to everyone. I have always admired the love and devotion she puts in her relationship, especially considering how long they have been together. But she always reminds me that over the years, it wasn’t always perfect and there are hardships, and it took a long time for them to get to where they are now. Despite some of the bad times she had to face, I believe my sister has found true happiness with Danny. She gives me hope that true love exists for everyone. When I think of happiness, I think of her. (MONICA CHAN)
