Finding joy requires work.
That sentence of ‘finding joy requires’ work feels uncomfortable. We’re surrounded by messages that suggest joy is something we stumble upon—a mindset shift, a quote, a moment we’re meant to notice. As if joy is waiting patiently for us to arrive.
But real joy—the kind that lasts—takes effort.
This image holds new meaning for me now, which is why I’m writing about it after the fact. I don’t always know what a photograph will teach me when I make it. Sometimes the understanding comes later, after time and reflection.
The boat named Joy, resting quietly in Fishtown, Leland, Michigan, feels effortless at first glance. Warm lights reflecting on still water. Balance. Calm. It’s easy to assume joy simply exists in places like this.
But this image didn’t happen by accident.
It required planning. Being there at the right holiday and weather moment. Thinking through composition, settings and light. And later, careful post-processing—choices made with intention. Work behind the scenes that isn’t visible in the final frame.
Finding Joy works much the same way.
Understanding ourselves takes effort. So does truly knowing the people we hold dear. It means slowing down, listening, choosing patience, and doing the quiet work that doesn’t come with instant reward.
Photography is one of the ways I practice that kind of attention. It asks me to slow down, to see what’s actually there, not just what I expect to find. To seek beauty without forcing it—while still doing the work required to bring it into focus.
In that sense, this image feels like a metaphor as in this case, finding joy requires work. In advance, during and after.
When we take time to reflect on who we are and how we show up, when we put energy into giving joy to others, something shifts. Joy stops being something we chase and becomes something we create—often without realizing it.
And in a small, unexpected way, this image reminds me that joy doesn’t have to be loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s quiet. Other times it’s earned. Or, it’s simply waiting for us to do the work that allows us to see it.
Author’s Note on Finding Joy:
This photograph was taken in Fishtown, Leland, Michigan. While the boat named Joy initially caught my eye for its simple beauty, it has since become a vivid reminder. In both photography—and life—we’re often given back based on our effort. Joy is a choice, a mindset and intention. It is up to us.
For more behind the lens: The Story Behind the Photos
