The World Press Photo Contest has long been a beacon for showcasing some of the most striking and impactful visual storytelling in photojournalism.
This year’s winners, announced on April 17, 2025, continue this vital tradition, shedding light on pivotal global issues through exceptional images. The prestigious 2025 World Press Photo of the Year award has been granted to Samar Abu Elouf, a Palestinian photographer based in Doha, for her deeply moving portrait of resilience in the aftermath of conflict. Two other finalists were also selected, highlighting critical topics of migration and climate change. Together, these images offer both a window into the complexities of the modern world and a call to action.
The Photo of the Year: Mahmoud Ajjour, Aged Nine
The winning photograph by Samar Abu Elouf, taken for The New York Times, captures a quiet yet deeply evocative moment in the life of Mahmoud Ajjour, a nine-year-old boy recovering from devastating injuries sustained during an Israeli attack on Gaza in 2024. The image depicts Mahmoud facing a window, a soft light warming one side of his face. At first, one might notice the innocence in his expression, but the full weight of the photo is revealed as it becomes clear he has lost both arms. The scene is haunting in its juxtaposition of his tender age and the irreversible scars of war.
Mahmoud’s story is one of both unimaginable loss and remarkable strength. During an attack in Gaza City, an explosion claimed one of his arms and mutilated the other as he tried to urge his family to safety. He was later evacuated to Qatar with his family, where he has been undergoing treatment. Now living in the same apartment complex as the photographer, Mahmoud has learned how to write, play games on his phone, and even open doors using his feet. His dream is heartbreakingly simple—to receive prosthetics and live a life as an ordinary child.
The broader implications of Mahmoud’s story cannot be ignored. By December 2024, Gaza had the highest per capita rate of child amputees in the world, according to United Nations figures, underscoring the disproportionate toll war takes on the youngest and most vulnerable. Samar Abu Elouf’s photograph brings this reality into sharp focus, offering a powerful narrative of resilience amidst the lingering shadows of conflict.
Joumana El Zein Khoury, Executive Director of World Press Photo, described the winning image as “a quiet photo that speaks loudly.” Reflecting on the contest’s history, she noted the importance of images like this in documenting global tragedies while urging attention and action. She expressed gratitude to the photographers who risk their safety and emotional well-being to ensure these stories reach the world.
The Finalists and Their Stories
The 2025 competition also brought to light two other striking images as finalists, each touching on urgent global issues.
Night Crossing by John Moore, a seasoned photojournalist from the United States, captures the intimate moment of Chinese migrants warming themselves under a cold rain after crossing the US-Mexico border. This image illustrates the human reality of migration, often reduced to political rhetoric. The photo’s otherworldly palette contrasts sharply with the human vulnerability it portrays, making it a poignant lens into the complexities of border crossings and the resilience of those seeking a better future.
Droughts in the Amazon, taken by Musuk Nolte, a photographer with roots in Peru and Mexico, powerfully conveys the growing threats posed by climate change. His image depicts a young man bringing food to his mother in the village of Manacapuru. Once accessible by boat, the village now sits isolated due to extreme drought. The parched riverbed in the world’s largest rainforest serves as an eerie and urgent reminder of the devastating effects of environmental degradation.
The Global Role of World Press Photo
For 70 years, the World Press Photo Contest has celebrated the courage and skill of photographers who shine a light on critical global issues, often at significant personal cost. The winning photos and stories from the competition are shared through a traveling exhibition held in over 60 locations worldwide, reaching millions of viewers. The exhibition is also presented online, allowing these powerful narratives to inspire global audiences and drive change.
The selection process is rigorous and thoughtful, guided by an international jury of experts. Lucy Conticello, the jury chair and Director of Photography for Le Monde’s weekend magazine, explained that themes of conflict, migration, and climate change emerged as defining concerns for the 2025 contest. She praised Abu Elouf’s photograph as a standout selection, describing it as a layered portrayal of resilience that compels viewers to engage more deeply with its complex story.
Capturing Humanity’s Stories
Every image presented in the World Press Photo Contest offers a profound reminder of the resilience, fragility, and interconnectedness of humanity. Whether highlighting the toll of conflict on children, the struggles of migrants seeking refuge, or the irreversible impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems, these photos resonate far beyond their frames.
The 2025 contest serves as a tribute to the brave photographers who venture into the heart of these stories. Their work not only illuminates some of the darkest corners of the world but also inspires understanding, empathy, and action. Through these powerful images, the global community is reminded of the urgent need to address the challenges we face as a shared humanity.
The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 will take place at MPB Gallery, Here East, London from 23rd May – 25th Aug. Tickets available here: TicketTailor or visit: theexhibitionists.co.uk
Feature image: Night CrossingJohn Moore, United States, Getty Images