A selection of top photo-driven stories from 2025 has documented global events and daily life, particularly focusing on the Global South. These photographic projects and exhibits covered a range of subjects, from environmental impact and public health initiatives to labor conditions and cultural practices, reinforcing the role of still photography as a medium for reporting on diverse international issues.
Environmental Documentation
The book "The Anthropocene Illusion" featured images that documented human-induced alterations to Earth. Visuals included a polar bear in a zoo and a tree mural obscured by haze.
Public Health Initiatives
In Madagascar, a photography project by Miora Rajaonary utilized women wearing traditional cosmetic face masks to raise awareness about Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS). This disease, caused by parasitic worms, affects an estimated 56 million women and girls, primarily in Africa, and is frequently misidentified as a sexually transmitted disease.
Separately, portraits captured by Ben de la Cruz highlighted challenges faced by individuals in accessing HIV medications in countries such as Zambia. Individuals featured included a 10-year-old, a house painter, and a mother. These reported challenges occurred despite U.S. aid cuts ostensibly exempting these specific treatments.
Labor and Livelihoods
Photographer Tommy Trenchard documented the lives of men known as "zama zamas," an isiZulu phrase meaning "those who take a chance." These individuals salvage coal from abandoned mines, and their work was depicted as hazardous.
Cultural Practices
Matilde Gattoni's work explored traditional soup recipes from various cultures, focusing on associated traditions and beliefs regarding comfort and well-being.
Technological Influence
The website Rest of World conducted a photo contest focusing on technology's global influence, receiving entries from 45 countries. Featured images included facial scans for migrants and children watching a film in a Mongolian tent.
Recognition of Women's Contributions
The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, hosted a photo exhibit titled "Iconic Women: From Everyday Life to Global Heroes" in observance of International Women's Day. The exhibit showcased diverse women, ranging from an "analog" astronaut to a watermelon farmer.
Diverse Perspectives
A collection of eight prize-winning photographs by individuals with disabilities presented unique visual perspectives. Subjects included a child balancing on a rope, a colorful bird, and fishermen at twilight.