The Best of 2025
THE Best in
Photography
Recognizing photographers who capture extraordinary moments and tell powerful stories through their unique visual perspective.
2025 Edition
The Best Photography of the Year — 2025 Edition
The world's finest photographers capturing extraordinary moments, from photojournalism to fine art, fashion, and wildlife photography.
| Photographer |
|---|
Zed Nelson United Kingdom Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year 2025, £25,000 prize for series 'The Anthropocene Illusion' |
Daniel Dian-Ji Wu Taiwan Youth Photographer of the Year 2025 at Sony World Photography Awards, 16 years old |
Susan Meiselas United States Outstanding Contribution to Photography 2025, acclaimed documentary photographer shaping contemporary practices |
Samar Abu Elouf Palestine World Press Photo of the Year 2025, New York Times photographer documenting Gaza conflict, €10,000 prize |
John Moore United States World Press Photo finalist for 'Night Crossing,' Getty Images staff photographer covering migration |
Luis Tato Kenya World Press Photo Africa Stories winner for 'Kenya's Youth Uprising,' Agence France-Presse photographer |
Paul Nicklen Canada 4.7M Instagram followers, Arctic and Antarctic wildlife photographer, conservation advocate |
Steve McCurry United States 2.7M followers, National Geographic photojournalist, iconic portrait photographer |
Annie Leibovitz United States Legendary portrait photographer, Vanity Fair and Vogue contributor, cultural icon photographer |
Sebastião Salgado Brazil Documentary photographer, environmental activism through photography, Genesis project |
Marina Cano Spain African wildlife specialist, award-winning black and white animal photography |
Jimmy Nelson United Kingdom Indigenous cultures photographer, 'Before They Pass Away' project documenting tribal communities |
Peter Lindbergh Germany Fashion photography legend, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar iconic work (posthumous recognition) |
Mario Testino Peru Most influential fashion and portrait photographer, British Vogue and Vanity Fair |
Bruce Weber United States Fashion and celebrity portrait photographer, Calvin Klein campaigns, cultural impact |
David LaChapelle United States Fine art and commercial photographer, surrealist celebrity portraits, pop culture icon |
Platon United Kingdom Portrait photographer of world leaders and influential figures, Time magazine contributor |
Martin Parr United Kingdom Magnum Photos member, documentary photography of British culture and consumerism |
Joel Meyerowitz United States Street photography pioneer, color photography innovator, 9/11 documentation |
Cristina Mittermeier Mexico Conservation photographer, SeaLegacy co-founder, ocean and indigenous communities advocate |
Frans Lanting Netherlands Wildlife photographer, National Geographic contributor, biodiversity documentation |
Art Wolfe United States Nature and wildlife photographer, 'Travels to the Edge' series, global conservation |
Ami Vitale United States National Geographic photographer, wildlife conservation stories, panda conservation documentation |
Darren Stephens Australia Bird photography specialist, crisp colorful avian imagery, wildlife photography awards |
Jerin Alex India Bird photography expert, discipline and patience in avian photography |
Johan Lolos Belgium 376K Instagram followers, documentary travel photographer, outdoor and wildlife specialist |
Ben Lowy United States New York photojournalist, diverse genre work from nature to portraits |
Lynsey Addario United States Conflict photographer, Pulitzer Prize winner, New York Times contributor |
James Nachtwey United States War photographer, Time magazine contributor, documenting conflicts and humanitarian crises |
Tyler Mitchell United States First Black photographer to shoot Vogue cover, contemporary fashion photography innovator |
Campbell Addy Ghana/United Kingdom Fashion photographer breaking barriers, British Vogue and i-D magazine contributor |
Nadine Ijewere Nigeria/United Kingdom Fashion photographer, Vogue covers, diversity in fashion photography advocate |
Tim Walker United Kingdom British Vogue photographer, surrealist fashion photography, V&A Museum exhibitions |
Gregory Crewdson United States Fine art photographer, cinematic large-scale narrative photography |
Sally Mann United States Fine art photographer, intimate family portraits, landscape photography |
Rinko Kawauchi Japan Contemporary art photographer, poetic everyday life documentation |
Daido Moriyama Japan Street photographer, high-contrast black and white urban photography |
Fan Ho Hong Kong Street photography master, Hong Kong documentation, cinematic composition (posthumous recognition) |
Zanele Muholi South Africa Visual activist, LGBTQ+ community documentation, Faces and Phases project |
Viviane Sassen Netherlands Fashion and fine art photographer, Dutch artist exploring African aesthetics |
Ryan McGinley United States Contemporary photographer, youth culture and road trip photography |
Alex Strohl France/United States Adventure photographer, 2.6M Instagram followers, outdoor lifestyle specialist |
Jimmy Chin United States Adventure photographer and filmmaker, National Geographic, Free Solo documentary |
Corey Arnold United States Commercial fishing and adventure photographer, unique perspective on maritime life |
Michael Yamashita United States National Geographic photographer, Asia specialist, cultural documentation |
Rena Effendi Azerbaijan Documentary photographer, National Geographic contributor, humanitarian stories |
Daniel Berehulak Australia Pulitzer Prize winner, conflict and humanitarian photographer, New York Times |
Iwan Baan Netherlands Architecture photographer, documenting contemporary buildings and urban environments |
Julius Shulman United States Architectural photography icon, mid-century modern documentation (legacy recognition) |
Nick Brandt United Kingdom African wildlife photographer, large-format conservation photography, environmental activism |
Selection Standards
Excellence Criteria
Our industry-specific criteria ensure that only the most deserving receive THE Best distinction in Photography.
01
Visual storytelling
02
Technical excellence
03
Artistic vision
04
Industry influence
05