Joy to the World: Joyful Photography From Across Canada
Updated: Nov. 24, 2020Joy might have seemed hard to come by in 2020, but these heartwarming photos remind us there are still plenty of reasons to feel festive this season. Wishing you all a joy-filled holiday, and all the best in the new year!
Paws-itively Joyful
The holidays themselves can bring immense joy—even during a year as tumultuous as 2020. Jen St. Louis of Elmira, Ontario, beautifully captures the magic and splendour of the season with this striking shot.
Holiday Cheer
Our “Joy” Theme Pic Challenge inspired Cheryl Power of Newfoundland and Labrador to send us this cute photo. “My daughter Emily is my life, my happiness and my joy. I always put these two ornaments together on our tree—it just seems fitting,” she writes.
Check out more inspiring holiday decorating ideas from across Canada.
Festive Feline
Here’s another photo by Cheryl Power, who really nailed our Theme Pic Challenge by weaving in a holiday theme. “Nothing says joy more than a cat and a box, and Gandalf loves boxes,” she writes. (What a cute name for a cat!)
Check out these funny family Christmas photos!
Nature’s Heart
For many, joy is really about inner peace. Diana Gorski of Edmonton took this wonderful photo in Banff. She writes: “Mountains bring me joy… It’s the one place I can really feel joie de vivre.”
Check out these amazing things to do in Banff on your next vacation.
Home Sweet Home
Todd Bellamy of Terrace, B.C., writes: “Home is where the heart of Christmas lives. Our ’50s rancher nestled in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest of B.C.”
Call of the Wild
Photographer Norma Keith of Baltimore, Ontario, captured this awe-inspiring moment between wolf siblings at the Haliburton Wolf Centre.
Don’t miss these spectacular wildlife photos from Rattray Marsh Conservation Area.
Dancing Shoes
Fred Allin of Etobicoke, Ontario, writes: “While on vacation in the Yukon, we enjoyed this old Western variety show!”
For one Our Canada contributor, this was the best part of the Yukon.
Safe Harbour
Sheri Emerson Sanders of Elkford, B.C., reminds us how joyous nature can be. And with that awesome boat, being one with nature is that much easier!
If this shot takes you away, you won’t want to miss this gallery devoted to beautiful Canadian boat photography!
A Dog’s Life
This photo by Karen Carley of Okotoks, Alberta, proves that joy can be many things. For Thumper the dog, it’s discovering seagulls to chase at the ocean!
Find out what it’s like taking a cross-Canada road trip with two dogs and a cat!
Family Reunion
Tammy Green of Harrington Harbour, Quebec, hadn’t seen her cousins in 27 years, so she decided a reunion was in order. “I made my way across Canada to see them. We thought it would be fun to make some childhood memories!”
Here are 10 Canadian road trips you need to take at least once.
Sing-Along
One of the great joys of the holiday season is the sight of carollers. Karin Allin of Mississauga, Ontario, captured the Baker Street Victorian Carollers at the Bradley Museum.
Psst—this is the oldest Christmas carol. (Hint: It’s not Silent Night!)
Fur Baby
Our Theme Pic Challenge inspired Linda Sweeney of Miramichi, New Brunswick, to send us this photo of her adorable fur baby Charlie. Thanks, Linda!
Find out how one Our Canada contributor learned to love the Canadian winter.
Family Tradition
Frank Koenig of Morinville, Alberta, writes: “One of our many joys is on my wife’s birthday when the children and grandchildren come out and put the Christmas tree up.”
Check out more Christmas tree photos from across Canada.
Au Naturel
This photo from Gertrude Welder of Kelowna, B.C., features a beautiful contrast between the bright ornaments and their natural winter backdrop.
Don’t miss this gallery showcasing the beauty of the Canadian winter.
Go Fetch!
Norman Dyrvik of Sherwood Park, Alberta, writes: “Our dog Boomer’s definition of joy.”