The 2025 World Press Photo Contest winners have officially been revealed. Like every year, they are a collection of breathtaking looks at the world through the lens of photojournalists and documentary photographers. This year’s winners illuminate a tumultuous global narrative. They touch on war, climate, protest, identity, and resilience—all with powerful visual storytelling at their core.
Selected from a staggering 59,320 images submitted by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries, the 2025 World Press Photo Contest winners reflect a world in flux. With 42 winners in total (up from 33 last year), the contest’s new structure expands its reach and depth. It awards three winners per region in both the Singles and Stories categories, plus one Long-Term Project winner per region.
These are not just photos – they are statements, questions, and stories that you won’t want to scroll past. As World Press Photo’s Executive Director Joumana El Zein Khoury puts it:
“We live in a time when it is easier than ever to look away, to scroll past, to disengage. But these images do not let us do that. They cut through the noise, forcing us to acknowledge what is unfolding, even when it is uncomfortable, even when it makes us question the world we live in – and our own role within it.”
The 2025 World Press Photo Contest Topics
This year’s winning photographers come from a diverse and global mix of countries including Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Iran, Nigeria, Palestine, Russia, South Korea, the United States, and Venezuela — to name just a few.
The winning images traverse some of the most pressing issues of 2024. From protests in Kenya, Haiti, and Myanmar to rare glimpses into the lives of a transgender teen in the Netherlands. The photos present personal and political moments side by side.
Other stories follow a young man in Sudan on his wedding day, and Uganda’s first disabled athlete to compete with able-bodied runners. Sadly, every year we also have many images representing the ongoing climate crisis and a fragile relationship between people and nature.
Celebrating World Press Photo’s 70th Anniversary
This year’s contest also coincides with the 70th anniversary of World Press Photo. It’s a reminder of how far photojournalism has come — and why it remains essential. The regional contest model has helped broaden participation and ensure greater diversity in both photographers and perspectives. Notably, 30 out of the 42 winners are local to the countries where they also captured their visual stories.
“As much as the World Press Photo Contest award is an immense recognition for photographers, often working under difficult circumstances, it is also a recap of the world’s major events, however incomplete,” said Lucy Conticello, global jury chair and Director of Photography at M, Le Monde’s weekend magazine. “As a jury we were looking for pictures that people can start conversations around.”
And conversation is exactly what these images demand — not just with words, but with reflection, compassion, and action.
Photo of the Year and Winners Exhibition
On April 17, during the exhibition’s press opening, the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year will be announced, along with two finalists. All regional winners are eligible for the top prize of €10,000 and over €14,000 worth of Fujifilm gear.
The winners will be part of the 2025 World Press Photo Exhibition. As always, it will travel to over 60 cities around the globe. The flagship exhibition opens at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on April 18 and runs through September. Stops include London, Rome, Berlin, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney, among others.
One thing that remains firmly upheld is that all contest images must be real. World Press Photo continues to ban AI-generated visuals and maintains authenticity through a thorough verification process. This includes digital analysis and story verification.
I leave you now with the gallery of winning single images. To explore all winning images and series or learn more about the contest, visit World Press Photo’s website.
Note that some of the images are not for the faint-hearted!
