Joy Unfiltered

Allora Gallery invites photographers from around the world to submit work for our upcoming online group exhibition, "Joy Unfiltered."

Joy is contagious, transformative, and deeply human—the burst of laughter at a moment of connection, the quiet contentment of solitude, the electric energy of celebration, the tender warmth of love shared. Sometimes joy exists in shared experience: in the musician lost in their art and the listener moved by every note, in the communion of witnessing beauty together. Joy doesn't always announce itself with fanfare; sometimes it whispers through a stolen glance, a child's wonder, an unexpected kindness, the triumph of overcoming, or the simple beauty of being alive. This exhibition celebrates joy in all its manifestations—the moments that make us feel most vividly, most authentically, most alive.

We seek photographs that capture the spectrum of joy—not just the obvious smiles and celebrations, but the deeper, more nuanced expressions of happiness, connection, and meaning. What does joy look like in your lens? How do you capture the electricity of human connection? Can a single frame reveal the profound satisfaction of achievement, the quiet peace of solitude, or the magic of unexpected beauty? What moments make your heart race as a photographer—witnessing joy unfold in front of your lens, discovering that perfect light, that decisive instant, that composition that takes your breath away? And which of your past images still carry that magic, still transport you back with a smile?

We welcome photographs that explore joy in all its forms: portraits and candid moments celebrating human connection, celebrations and gatherings radiating energy and warmth, intimate moments revealing love and tenderness, nature's beauty inspiring awe and wonder, children discovering the world with unbridled enthusiasm, acts of kindness and generosity, personal achievements and triumph, the freedom and exhilaration found in movement and expression, quiet moments of peace and contentment, and the simple pleasures that make life worth savoring.

What brings you joy—both as a person and as a photographer? How do your images reveal the moments that matter most? We're looking for photographs that show how joy appears in infinite forms—from the grandest celebration to the smallest gesture, each frame capturing the essence of what makes us feel alive, connected, and grateful—the images that will transport viewers and yourself back to that moment of pure joy.

Exhibition Benefits:
Selected works featured in a professionally curated online exhibition hosted on Allora Gallery's website
Social media promotion across Allora Gallery platforms
Digital certificate of participation