Every year, USA TODAY Network visual journalists across the country capture meaningful stories in their local communities that inform, delight, or inspire, while documenting a historic moment for the nation.
We live in a time when the digital manipulation of visual content in our society is widespread. But visual journalists continue to bear the responsibility of capturing and reporting authentic scenes from real life, producing work that is rooted in truth and accuracy. In 2025, they did so in spectacular fashion. From fast-breaking stories to deep-dive investigations and everything in-between, our visual journalism transported readers to people's stories and places they couldn't otherwise reach.
USA TODAY's Pictures of the Year 2025 memorializes images from a tumultuous year in which visual journalists enlightened our curiosity and captivated our attention with moments of joy, political divide, awe-inspiring nature, and the beauty and struggle of athletic achievement.
When the fury of the Los Angeles fires ripped across communities in Southern California, the USA TODAY Network's visual journalists were there to capture the immediate impact and devastation revealed in the aftermath. When the Trump administration ramped up deportations and detentions, the Network's visual journalists were there to document the immigrationcrackdown and backlash.When the longest government shutdown in U.S. history left food pantries and families scrambling for aid, the visual journalists of the Network shared stories thatshed light on humanity.
This collection is a small slice of the thousands of images captured by the visual journalists of the USA TODAY Network in 2025. We hope you enjoy these exceptional photographs.
— Camille Fine, Visual Editor
A police officer walks near flames as they scorch grass and trees at 220th and Triple X Road in Luther, Okla., March 14, 2025. Almost 300 houses and structures were destroyed by the wildfires that burned across the state and sent some Oklahomans fleeing with only the clothes on their backs, Gov. Kevin Stitt said." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem pray during an official diocesan memorial Mass for Pope Francis at Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tenn., April 28, 2025. Pope Francis, 88, a reformer who sought to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and clashed with world leaders over the rights of immigrants, died Easter Monday following a lengthy bout of double pneumonia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A Breonna Taylor supporter was led away in handcuffs as a group protested the DOJ's one-day sentence recommendation for former LMPD detective Brett Hankison as he was in court at the U.S. Federal Courthouse for sentencing in Louisville, Ky., July 21, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Thomas Henderson, 37, helps his daughter, Nathalie Henderson, 4, put on her helmet before riding her dirt bike at their home in St. Clair, Mich., Oct. 11, 2025. A USA TODAY investigation found that at least 158 children and teens have died on dirt bikes and at motocross tracks since 2000, more than six per year. That makes it the deadliest sport for young people – roughly seven times greater than tackle football. Nathalie Henderson's aunt, Ashlee Sokalski, died in a motocross accident during a race in 2010. Her family members continue to ride but no longer compete." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hulk Hogan takes photographs with fans during a meet-and-greet while promoting his new beer, Real American Beer, at Homerun Liquors on Feb. 20, 2025, in Martin County, Fla. Hogan, who launched his beer in June, died at the age of 71 in July 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alabama's Paityn Walker competes on the bars during the meet against North Carolina at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jan. 10, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kelsea Ballerini arrives on the red carpet for the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Brayla Rigney, 5, of Camden, Tenn., holds a candle in remembrance of her siblings, 7-month-old Rileigh and Ryan Rigney., in Waverly, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. A flash flood took the lives of 20 Waverly area residents on Aug. 21, 2021." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Indiana Fever forward Yvonne Ejim poses for a photo April 30, 2025, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Tula-Tu sticks close to her mom, Rose-Tu,, March 6, 2025 in Portland, Ore. The Asian elephant calf was born in February." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See the moments that defined 2025 in USA TODAY's Pictures of the Year
A police officer walks near flames as they scorch grass and trees at 220th and Triple X Road in Luther, Okla., March 14, 2025. Almost 300 houses and structures were destroyed by the wildfires that burned across the state and sent some Oklahomans fleeing with only the clothes on their backs, Gov. Kevin Stitt said.
Extreme weather overwhelms communities
The beginning of 2025 saw terrifying wildfires that left an indelible mark on Los Angeles. Wildfires plagued other parts of the country throughout the year, including in New Jersey and Oklahoma, and devastating tornadoes ripped through the middle of the country in spring. Canadian wildfires caused air quality issues in cities across the nation, changing once-vivid skylines into scenes akin to the 1930s Dust Bowl.
A haboob — a wall of dust that can soar hundreds of feet high —enveloped Chandler, Arizona, this summerin a scene that looks as if it were taken straight from an apocalyptic film. This November, extreme space weather captivated sky-gazers across several states witha dazzling northern lights show.
Protests sweep the nation
Backlash toDonald Trump's return to the presidency in January was swift, and it swept the nation. Thousands of people gathered to protest the administration's polarizing agenda.
In Louisville, Kentucky, photojournalists continued to follow Breonna Taylor's story when her supporters protested the U.S. Department of Justice's one-day sentence recommendation for former detective Brett Hankison.
Memorable sports moments
Win or lose, snow or sunshine, photographers worked tirelessly to document some of the biggest names in sports at major events and went beyond the surface with coverage in 2025. They also captured the up-and-coming high school athletes who will be the next generation of stars.
Stars at concerts, court side, on the red carpet
Photojournalists in Nashville, Southern California, New York and beyond captured incredible moments of stars in action at concerts, court side, on the red carpet, at award shows and more.
See more images that defined the year at USA TODAY's 2025 Pictures of the Year.
Contributing: Carlie Procell, USA TODAY Graphics
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:See the best photos of 2025 in USA TODAY's Pictures of the Year
