Can a picture make you happy? We asked photographers and here's what they sent us
March 20 is a day dedicated to joy! Since 2013, the United Nations' International Day of Happiness has recognized the value of happiness as "a fundamental goal" in people's lives around the world.
The happiness campaigns are coordinated by the nonprofit Action for Happiness, which has thousands of members from 193 countries and whose patron is the Dalai Lama. The organization hosts online talks and coaching, and even an app that suggests ways to discover joy.
This year's theme is "Happier Together." The explanation is: "At this time of uncertainty and conflict ... lasting happiness comes from feeling connected to others and being part of something bigger."
We asked the photojournalists of — a global community of photographers using images to challenge harmful stereotypes — to look through their archives for scenes that capture a sense of happiness and well-being, from small uplifting moments to big bursts of joy. They shared photos of former child soldiers playing soccer, of finding inspiration by listening to the blues, of teen girls in Ukraine blissfully jumping on a trampoline, of an older couple's moment of togetherness.
