The year 2025 has brought forth some stunning photographs from people worldwide, capturing moments that range from everyday life to extraordinary wildlife. National Geographic has recently unveiled its annual selection of remarkable images, showcasing 25 of the finest shots that highlight people, places, cultural events, and nature’s wonders.
Interestingly, five of the featured images are from right here in the United States. National Geographic describes this collection as a montage of “moving and inspiring images” derived from thousands submitted by photographers globally.
“Chicken or egg?” — Berkeley, California
The December 2025 cover of National Geographic features an engaging photo capturing a chick looking at an egg. Photographer Anand Varma has focused on documenting the transition where the yolk is still visible while the shape of the bird is distinguishable. He worked on fostering embryos in artificial shells and was finally able to capture changes at day 12, even raising some embryos to chicks that he donated locally. (Anand Varma; National Geographic)
“A Bee’s ZZZs” — Davis, California
This image beautifully portrays sunflower chimney bees resting after a busy day of pollinating. These bees typically nest at the base of sunflowers and have adapted to travel with commercial farmers as they rotate crops. (Karine Aigner)
“Great sighting” — Gulf of Maine
Photographer Brian Skelly, who has spent decades documenting marine life, managed to capture his first sighting of a great white shark in the Gulf of Maine, and quite unexpectedly from just four feet away. This particular spotting is part of a trend, as sightings of these impressive creatures are on the rise from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, likely due to shifts in weather patterns. (Brian Skelly)
“An Unlikely Hero” — Wisconsin
This two-day-old piglet is part of a groundbreaking effort to save lives. Genetically modified, these pigs are bred with the intention of harvesting their kidneys for human transplantation, potentially offering a lifeline to many Americans in need—over two-thirds of whom have been on waiting lists for over a year. (Craig Cutler)
For further details about this year’s Photo of the Year, you may want to check National Geographic’s official site. It’s really fascinating to see how nature and humanity intertwine through these stunning photos.
