For the first time in New York City, the World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 opens its doors, presenting the 42 winners of the annual World Press Photo Contest. This year’s selection brings together striking and thought-provoking images that capture the defining issues of our time, offering a window into urgent global stories through the lens of exceptional photographers.
The winners represent six world regions—Africa; Asia-Pacific & Oceania; Europe; North & Central America; South America; and West, Central & South Asia—with 30 of the laureates documenting stories in the very regions where they live and work. This local perspective enriches the exhibition, providing authentic insight into communities and events across the globe.
The 2025 laureates tackle critical issues shaping our world today, from migration, war, and conflict to climate crises, protest, sports, animals, and family life. Among the standout works is World Press Photo of the Year winner Samar Abu Elouf, whose portrait captures nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, severely injured while fleeing an attack in Gaza. Other finalists include John Moore, who documented Chinese migrants after crossing the U.S.–Mexico border, and Musuk Nolte, who portrayed a community grappling with drought in the Amazon.
At a moment when press freedom faces unprecedented threats—103 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024, marking the deadliest year on record—these photographs highlight the vital role of visual journalism. They do more than inform; they illuminate, provoke empathy, and spark dialogue about the world we share.
The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 invites audiences to step beyond headlines and news cycles, offering an immersive experience where photography deepens understanding, fosters conversation, and inspires action.
This exhibition is made possible thanks to the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts, the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and foundations including Clif Family Foundation, Chris Hondros Fund, Four Friends Foundation, Ford Foundation, Jonathan Logan Foundation, Lawrence Foundation, Matisse Foundation, Peck Foundation, Scherman Foundation, and the Van Agtmael Fund.
Through these images, the exhibition affirms the enduring power of independent, high-quality photography to shine a light on global realities, offering audiences a profound and moving reflection of our shared humanity.
© John Moore, Getty Images
© Tatsiana Chypsanava, Pulitzer Center, New Zealaand Geographic
World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organization that champions the power of photojournalism and documentary photography to deepen understanding, promote dialog, and inspire action.
Founded in the Netherlands in 1955, their annual and thematic exhibitions reach millions of people in over 80 locations worldwide each year, and their online work reaches millions more. They create space for reflection in times of urgency, while upholding standards of accuracy, authenticity, visual excellence, and diverse perspectives. Their education programs help photographers reach these standards.
