‘Images replaced reality in today’s world. Public perception is now shaped by images, and truth is being reconstructed under the shadow of representation,’ says Anadolu president

The first exhibition of İstanbul Photo Awards 2025 opened in Ankara on June 10, 2025.

Hosted at the Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Ada Ankara concert hall, the exhibition features award-winning works by 29 photographers selected from this year’s contest.

The exhibition features a selection of 150 photographs, including award-winning works. Visitors have the opportunity to view compelling visual narratives from the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza to the devastating floods in East Africa, the volcanic eruptions in Iceland, athletes of Paris 2024 Olympics, Afghan women’s struggle for survival, survivors of Syria’s Sednaya Prison, Brazilian surfers battling giant waves, and dangerous journeys of migrants.

This year’s contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

The exhibition will remain open to the public through July 20.

Official Event

A special event of the first exhibition of İstanbul Photo Awards 2025 was held at CSO Ada Ankara under the auspices of Karagoz on Tuesday, July 8, 2025,.

İstanbul Photo Awards once again shows that every photograph with documentary value is not merely an image, but a language for understanding and conveying state of the world and the essence of a society, Anadolu President and CEO Serdar Karagoz said.

In his opening remarks at the official invitational event, Karagoz said that each photograph in the exhibition serves as a silent narrator of emotions, events, and testimonies. İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

Karagoz said the Photo of the Year award went to Palestinian photographer Saeed Jaras for his image titled “Gaza-Deir al-Balah,” depicting grieving parents embracing the lifeless bodies of their children killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Recalling that a similar image had been chosen as the Photo of the Year in the previous year, Karagoz said: "This shows that the world's political and tragic realities have seen little change. As journalists, reporters, and photojournalists, we document history.”

Sadly, there is little difference between the records we left in 2024 and those in 2025. Pain, tears, sorrow, genocide, bloodshed, and violence have once again marked this year, as they did the last, he added.

‘Images replaced reality in today’s world’

Karagoz emphasized that every photojournalist documenting wars, crises, earthquakes, and human stories, from Gaza to Ukraine from Damascus to New York, is truly speaking with history.

“Images replaced reality in today’s world. Public perception is now shaped by images, and truth is being reconstructed under the shadow of representation. In this sense, photographs are not just records, but instruments of meaning-making,” Karagoz said.

“As communication theorists say, media tools don’t just transmit information, they shape how we see the world," he added.

Citing images such as a refugee father carrying his baby in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a child fleeing during the Vietnam War, and a small hand clutching a teddy bear under the rubble in Gaza, Karagoz stressed that such photographs are more than news, they become lasting symbols imprinted in collective consciousness.

He added that platforms such as İstanbul Photo Awards serve not only artistic and aesthetic purposes, but also carry the responsibility of preserving societal memory and shaping media narratives.

Highlighting Anadolu’s photo archive of over 13 million images, he said the agency had distributed globally 100,000 photographs during the Syrian war, 150,000 during the Russia-Ukraine war, and 3,000 from the Iran-Israel conflict.

“Our historical record does not end there. Thousands of major events and the most pivotal moments in countless lives have been documented by Anadolu Ajansı," he said.

Moments captured by nearly 2,000 photographers evaluated

Karagoz said İstanbul Photo Awards also aims to raise awareness about the dedication and importance of photojournalists working under difficult conditions.

"Since its inception, the competition has grown into a global platform with over 206,000 photo submissions by nearly 20,000 photographers. This year’s edition attracted nearly 22,000 entries from around the world, from Brazil to Nepal, Canada to Nigeria, and, from Palestine to Japan. Our esteemed international jury carefully evaluated each entry, with moments captured by nearly 2,000 photographers assessed across 10 categories," he said.

"We continue to document 2025. Hopefully, when we gather for İstanbul Photo Awards 2026 exhibition, we will be able to share some hopeful developments on the international stage," Karagoz added.

Following his speech, Anadolu Visual News Director Aykut Unlupinar provided insights into the exhibited works and guests were also presented with an album featuring the winning photographs.

TRT Director General Mehmet Zahid Sobaci, Anadolu Editor in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan and Chief Operating Officer Oguz Enis Peru, Anadolu Publications and Productions Coordinator Oguz Karakas, Anadolu Academy and Editorial Coordinator Yahya Bostan, Chinese Ambassador to Türkiye Liu Shaobin, Panama’s Ambassador to Ankara Karina Cecilia Arias Fonseca de Giannotti, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ambassador Mirsada Colakovic, as well as academics, and prominent figures from the global media and photography community were also present at the exhibition.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Mirsada Colakovic, told Anadolu that many of the photographs, particularly those from Palestine, reflect the harsh side of life. She named her favorite entry as “Surrounded,” taken in Kenya, and extended her congratulations to everyone involved in organizing the contest.

The responsibility of journalism is greater than ever, and news photography holds immense power, said the winners of the daily life categories at 2025 İstanbul Photo Awards.

İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

Fabio Bucciarelli was awarded the third prize in the Story Daily Life category for his compelling documentation of Haiti’s humanitarian crisis amid political collapse and armed gang violence, which he covered for La Repubblica.

“For many Western media outlets, Haiti practically doesn’t exist—it’s off the news agenda. Yet the humanitarian and political crisis unfolding in the country is among the most severe in the world,” Bucciarelli told Anadolu.

As with any reporting in difficult areas, his preparation took weeks. He faced major challenges, including blocked roads, sniper fire, makeshift checkpoints, and information blackouts caused by poor connectivity.

Journalism with depth and respect

Bucciarelli highlighted that the time we live in is one where “speed and rapidity distort the significance of news,” supported by technology that fosters the polarization of news and opinions.

“The journalism I believe in stands in contrast to this logic; it is journalism that requires time. Time to empathize with people, time to listen to stories, and time to understand the culture before being able to document it,” he said.

He stressed that making a real difference comes not through sensationalism, but by deeply exploring complex realities and revealing what would otherwise stay hidden, with the goal—perhaps the hope—of raising public awareness and increasing understanding of often overlooked issues.

“All of this comes with a great responsibility that compels us to reflect once again on respect for the subjects photographed, on integrity, and on a profound sense of awareness of its impact,” Bucciarelli said.

“Winning this award represents an important opportunity for me to amplify the message of the stories I tell,” he added.

He pointed out that İstanbul Photo Awards, with its distinguished jury, not only confirms the value of the work but also allows him to “amplify a voice to realities that often go unheard,” reaching people and spaces that otherwise might not be touched.

He added that after winning the first prize in the Story News category in 2021 for documenting COVID-19 in Italy for The New York Times, he has maintained contact with the organization, which continues to build a supportive network among the winning photographers.

Life amid war through award-winning image

Sameer Al-Doumy received the second prize in the Marion Mertens Single Daily Life category for his powerful image capturing resilience in war-torn Homs, Syria, taken while covering the aftermath of regime change for the French news agency AFP.

His photograph captures a man selling fruit in front of an abandoned tank—an unexpected scene that symbolizes resilience amid the wreckage of war.

“It was a strange and emotional experience to return to my home country, Syria, after years in exile due to the war,” he told Anadolu, adding that holding his camera again and documenting such a significant transitional moment in the country’s history felt “deeply personal.”

Al-Doumy’s journey to the scene required more than six hours of driving from Damascus. In a country still navigating the uncertain aftermath of regime change, he relied on instinct and experience rather than detailed planning.

“My goal was to document this historic moment of regime change and how it was affecting daily life,” he said, adding that the journey was long and filled with tension, “but once I reached Homs and found the scene, I knew this image told a larger story — one of survival, adaptation, and quiet defiance.”

He said that he used natural light and focused on composition to contrast the harsh, decaying machinery of war with the simple act of a man selling produce—capturing “symbols of death and life in the same frame.”

“This image means a great meaning to me. It represents the strength and resilience of Syrians who, despite everything, continue to pursue life — even in the shadow of destruction,” Al-Doumy said.

Stressing that hope and humanity persist, even in the darkest times, Al-Doumy said: “On a personal level, this photo marks a return to my roots as a Syrian photographer. It’s a story I felt compelled to share, not just as a journalist, but as someone whose life has also been shaped by this war.”

News photography as testimony that cannot be erased

“I believe news photography holds immense power and responsibility. It is our way of showing the world what is happening, especially in places where people are suffering, and voices are being silenced,” Al-Doumy said.

He added that while news photography may not always bring immediate change, it informs, educates, and preserves truth. “At the very least, it creates a historical record — a testimony that cannot be erased. That, in itself, is powerful,” he underscored.

Al-Doumy added that this year’s award holds special meaning for him, being his first recognition since returning to Syria after the war, for a photo close to his heart.

“It encourages me to keep telling the stories of people who, like me, have endured loss but never lost hope,” he further said, also noting that the process of the award was very smooth and user-friendly.

İstanbul Photo Awards has become a cornerstone of global photojournalism, celebrating the art of visual storytelling while shedding light on critical issues worldwide.

This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com.

Selection of award-winning photos on display in Turkish capital from June 10 to July 20

The first exhibition of İstanbul Photo Awards 2025, an international photojournalism contest organized by Anadolu since 2015, opened in Ankara.

Hosted at the Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Ada Ankara concert hall, the exhibition features award-winning works by 29 photographers selected from this year’s contest.

The exhibition offers a compelling visual narrative of key global events, including Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, devastating floods in East Africa, the volcanic eruption in Iceland and athletes preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

It also covers powerful images depicting the struggles of Afghan women, survivors from Sednaya Prison, Brazilian surfers against towering waves, and the dangerous journeys of migrants.

The exhibition will be available from June 10 to July 20, 2025.

İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige, which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com

Read the news: http://v.aa.com.tr/3593744

"News photography serves as ‘guarantee’ of reality in digital age"

News photography continues to serve as a guarantee of truth in an era dominated by digital saturation, AI, and misinformation, said the winners of the sports categories at 2025 İstanbul Photo Awards.

İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

Hannah McKay of news agency Reuters was awarded Story Sports 1st Prize for her dynamic coverage of American gymnast Simone Biles at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

McKay is a photographer with extensive experience covering major global events, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, the Rohingya Refugee Crisis, US Presidential Elections, the Israel-Gaza War, and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Personal and professional challenge

“I was both nervous and excited to cover Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics,” McKay said, acknowledging the pressure that came with capturing the story of one of the greatest gymnasts in history,” McKay said.

“Simone Biles’ presence at the Paris Olympics was more than just winning—it was about resilience and returning to the world stage,” she added.

Though McKay had limited experience with gymnastics photography, she got prepared, dedicating herself to studying past photographs of the sport.

"It was a challenge that pushed me to become better at photographing this sport,” she said.

Her images were taken from the Field of Play—a unique and challenging position that offered close proximity to the athletes but required careful navigation to avoid interfering with television crews or the athletes themselves.

“Sport is unpredictable. So, a lot came down to reading the situation in real time and ensuring I was in the right place at the right moment,” McKay noted.

‘A single photo can expose the truth’

“News photography is powerful because it captures real moments and emotions, making people feel connected to events around the world. A single photo can expose the truth, inspire action, and even change history. With that power comes responsibility,” McKay underscored.

McKay stressed that while technology had made photojournalism faster and more impactful, it had also created new challenges, as digital tools enhance storytelling but can also raise concerns about accuracy and manipulation.

She was surprised to learn she had won the award and was proud that her sports photography skills were recognized.

Photography as a way of ‘freezing time and truth’

Jerome Brouillet, who won the Single Sports 1st Prize, captured the now-iconic image of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina performing a mid-air jump at the Teahupoo spot in Tahiti during the Olympic Games surfing contest, which he was covering for French news agency AFP.

Brouillet described the day as perfect for shooting, with excellent weather and a solid swell.

“Some of us knew that he liked to celebrate his waves, so I expected him to kick out with a celebration,” he said.

Capturing the shot was a challenge for Brouillet, as he had to anticipate Medina's reemergence after disappearing behind the wave, all while working from a boat.

The difficulty of shooting at Teahupoo was further heightened by the long hours, with the event running from 7 AM to 5 PM.

“Of course, I thought this photo might be appreciated, but I never imagined it would go viral like this,” he said.

“This picture is almost unreal in all aspects. Composition, virality on different media and, it changes my life literally. Some people even thought it was a fake one. It’s probably one of the most viewed surf photos in the surf history. This is not a pure surfing picture. And that’s why it talks to anyone,” Brouillet added.

The French photographer, who began his career documenting downhill bike events in France, described photography as a way of “freezing time and truth.”

“In an age of digital saturation, AI and fake news, news photography stands as a guarantee to shoot what’s really happening in the real world,” he noted.

“News photography freezes the world in the history as factual as it is, without storytelling or interpretation. It’s up to the viewer to think about the context, to consider what happened before and after the image. And this is the power of photography, encourage people to ask questions in a world that no longer encourages to do so,” Brouillet further said.

Brouillet said he was surprised over winning the award and added: "I have a lot of respect for the photographer who risk their lives to capture those powerful moments. I am proud to be featured in among my fellow photographers who took pictures in really tough conditions.”

İstanbul Photo Awards has become a cornerstone of global photojournalism, celebrating the art of visual storytelling while shedding light on critical issues worldwide.

This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com.

Palestinian photographers Saeed Jaras and Samar Abu Elouf underscores photography's power to give voice to voiceless

Visual storytelling is important in shedding light on harsh realities, said Palestinian photographer Saeed Jaras, who won the Photo of the Year award at İstanbul Photo Awards 2025.

İstanbul Photo Awards, organized by Anadolu for its 11th consecutive year, awarded 29 photographers across 10 categories. The selections were made from approximately 22,000 submissions from around the world, a testament to the contest's growing prestige which has attracted entries from more than 20,000 photographers globally since its inception.

Jaras, representing Middle East Images, received the top honor for his striking image titled, “Gaza-Deir al-Balah.”

He described the profound responsibility inherent in his profession, stating that a news photographer must document events with “honesty, integrity, and respect for the people involved."

His winning photograph, Jaras explained, marks a pivotal point. “This image represents a crucial moment for my career -- a responsibility to document the truth and give a voice to those who can no longer speak," he said. He believes it serves as a vital reminder of visual storytelling's importance in revealing difficult truths and ensures the subjects' "pain and loss are not forgotten.”

"It serves as a reminder of why visual storytelling is important in shedding light on harsh realities,” Jaras said.
Power to ignite change

Jaras firmly believes in photography's capacity to transcend barriers. “A compelling photograph can break through political barriers, challenge narratives and ignite change,” he asserted. He added that such images force people "to confront uncomfortable truths” along with fostering empathy.

Recounting the moment he captured the award-winning photograph, Jaras conveyed his profound emotional state: “When I took this photo, I was overwhelmed with deep sorrow and shock."

He described the devastating scene before him as "a mother holding her two children who had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, while the father stood in a state of utter disbelief, and the surviving child wept uncontrollably."

Jaras also highlighted the significant challenges including “dealing with the strong emotions of those present and the psychological stress of witnessing tragic scenes.”

His primary aim, despite the immense emotional toll, was to document the “tragic reality” and convey the suffering to the world.
‘Overwhelmed with mixed emotions’

He said learning of his award brought a complex wave of feelings. “When I heard the news, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions -- gratitude, disbelief and deep contemplation," said Jaras. He said he views the award not merely as a personal triumph but as "an appreciation of the story behind the photo and the life it represents."

The recognition, Jaras said, "is extremely important” as "it affirms the power of visual storytelling to draw attention to critical issues." He said photography is not just about capturing images but it also “gives voice to those who have lost the ability to speak."

Jaras dedicated the honor "to the families affected by war and to all the journalists and photographers who risk their lives to document the truth," adding that the award motivated him to continue his work with increased dedication.

The photographer added that he was already aware of the İstanbul Photo Awards' reputation as "a prestigious international contest ... for honoring powerful visual stories" and praised it as a platform that highlights critical global issues.
Documenting resilience amid pain

Gaza-based photojournalist Samar Abu Elouf secured the Story Portrait First Prize for her poignant series “Gaza War Survivors,” which she took for The New York Times. Her work chronicles the arduous journey of Palestinians wounded in the Gaza conflict receiving medical care in Qatar.

“My emotions were deeply heavy as I took photos and listened to the stories of the wounded Palestinians,” said Abu Elouf. She said she felt "helpless in front of them ... overwhelmed by the horror they had been through."

Abu Elouf said her photographic approach prioritizes profound human connection. “I was deeply committed to being close to them, to listening to their stories and what they had gone through, even before thinking of taking a photo. To me, they are not just images. They are a part of my own story,” she said.

This series, she noted, represents a continuation of a long-standing commitment. “These images are a continuation of the journey I began in Gaza 14 years ago a commitment to storytelling, to shedding light on life under siege and the enduring cruelty of war,” Abu Elouf said.

Having previously won in the 2024 contest’s Single News category second prize, Abu Elouf found this year's award particularly meaningful because "it helps bring vital stories from Gaza to the world --- stories that need to be seen, heard, and remembered."

While proud of the achievement, she acknowledged the difficulty of feeling conventional joy, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and her own family's suffering there, noting: "The story itself, and the people in the photos, are too heavy with pain."

İstanbul Photo Awards has become a cornerstone of global photojournalism, celebrating the art of visual storytelling while shedding light on critical issues worldwide.

This year’s İstanbul Photo Awards contest is supported by Turkcell as the communication sponsor, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) as the overseas event sponsor, and Turkish Airlines as the airline sponsor.

More information on the winning photographs and jury members can be found at istanbulphotoawards.com.