İstanbul Photo Awards 2025

Photography holds a unique power; it captures fleeting moments and preserves truths that transcend language. In a single frame, a photographer can convey emotions and stories that words often fail to express; grief, resilience, hope, and resistance. In a world of constant motion, photojournalism remains one of the most intimate tools through which we can grasp, relate to, and reflect on reality. An initiative of Anadolu Ajansı, the Istanbul Photo Awards, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, has become one of the most prestigious platforms for visual storytelling.

The Istanbul Photo Awards 2025 photobook presents a remarkable range of images; from the genocide in Gaza and the sweeping revolution in Syria to the triumphant spirit of the Paris Olympics. The collection also captures the devastating consequences of floods sweeping across continents, ongoing struggles in Haiti, and a volcanic eruption in Iceland. The photographs submitted to this year’s competition weave a vibrant tapestry of today’s most defining stories.

Featured in the book is Saeed Jaras’s powerful image titled “Gaza – Deir al-Balah,” which was selected by the jury as Photo of the Year. It offers a stark and moving depiction of life under siege and assault in Gaza, serving as a poignant reminder of the profound human toll of conflict. Jaras and other courageous photojournalists continue to take great risks to inform the world about the crimes against humanity taking place in Gaza.

In this year’s competition, the category previously known as “Single Daily Life” has been renamed “Marion Mertens Single Daily Life” in memory of jury member Marion Mertens, who passed away in December 2024. The renaming honors her impactful contributions and ensures that her legacy continues to inspire future generations of visual storytellers.