Joy to the World: Joyful Photography From Across Canada

Joy might have seemed hard to come by in 2022, 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!

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Dog looking at Christmas tree
Photo: Jen St. Louis

Paws-itively Joyful

The holidays can bring immense joy, especially in those quiet moments that allow you to reflect on life’s blessings. Jen St. Louis of Elmira, Ontario, beautifully captures the magic and splendour of the season with this striking shot.

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Christmas ornaments
Photo: Cheryl Power

Holiday Cheer

Our “Joyful” 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.

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Cat laying in box
Photo: Cheryl Power

Festive Feline

Here’s another photo from Cheryl, which is sure to put a smile on your face. “Nothing says joy more than a cat and a box, and Gandalf loves boxes,” she writes. (What a cute name for a cat!)

Keep the laughs coming with these funny cat jokes.

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Winter landscape in Banff
Photo: Diana Gorski

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.

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Home with Christmas lights
Photo: Todd Bellamy

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.”

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Wolf siblings
Photo: Norma Keith

Call of the Wild

Photographer Norma Keith of Baltimore, Ontario, captured this awe-inspiring moment between wolf siblings at the Haliburton Wolf Centre.

Discover more breathtaking wildlife encounters across Canada.

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Chorus line dancers
Photo: Fred Allin

Dancing Shoes

Fred Allin of Etobicoke, Ontario, writes: “While on vacation in the Yukon, we enjoyed this old Western variety show!”

Don’t miss this roundup of unforgettable places to visit in the Yukon.

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Boat at dock of the bay
Photo: Sheri Emerson Sanders

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 of beautiful boat pictures.

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Black dog near ocean
Photo: Karen Carley

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!

Explore Canada’s most beautiful beaches.

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Three adults sitting on tree
Photo: Tammy Green

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 everyone should take at least once.

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Carollers
Photo: Karen Allin

Sing-Along

One of the great joys of the holiday season is the sight (and sound!) 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!)

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Cute dog wearing Christmas hat
Photo: Linda Sweeney

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!

Check out more adorable Canadian pets on camera.

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Family putting up the Christmas tree
Photo: Frank Koenig

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.”

Read the heartwarming story of what a 1950s Christmas was like in rural Alberta.

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Christmas ornaments
Photo: Gertrude Welder

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.

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Dog playing fetch with ball
Photo: Norman Dyrvik

Go Fetch!

Norman Dyrvik of Sherwood Park, Alberta, writes: “Our dog Boomer’s definition of joy.”

Next, Our Canada contributors share their most cherished Christmas traditions.
Originally Published on ourcanada.ca

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