Award-winning photojournalist James Glossop has released his annual selection of the year's most powerful photographs, offering a visual chronicle of 2025's defining moments through his distinctive lens. The veteran Times photographer, known for his ability to capture raw human emotion amid complex news events, has curated a collection that spans political upheaval, cultural milestones, and intimate personal stories. His work this year reaffirmed his reputation as one of the industry's most versatile visual storytellers, moving seamlessly between conflict zones, sporting arenas, and quiet domestic scenes with equal mastery.
Glossop's approach combines technical precision with deep empathy, a methodology he honed during his years covering breaking news across the globe. His 2025 portfolio includes striking images from the climate protests that swept through London in March, where his photograph of a young activist standing defiantly before a line of riot police became an iconic representation of generational environmental anxiety. He also documented the aftermath of severe flooding in the Lake District, capturing the resilience of communities as they rebuilt their lives. His editor notes that Glossop has an uncanny ability to be present at the moment when chaos transforms into clarity, finding order and meaning in disorder.
Among his personal favorites is a series shot during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he focused not on the performers but on the audiences—their faces illuminated by smartphone screens, laughter lines, and tears capturing the transformative power of live theater. Another standout image shows a 102-year-old WWII veteran teaching his great-granddaughter to plant a memorial garden, a moment of intergenerational connection that Glossop describes as "everything photography should be—quiet, true, and timeless." He also selected several frames from his coverage of the Women's World Cup, particularly a shot of the winning team's goalkeeper mid-celebration that captures both athletic triumph and pure joy.
Technically, Glossop has embraced new equipment this year while maintaining his signature style. He experimented with a medium-format digital camera for portrait work, allowing for extraordinary detail in his series on British artisans losing their traditional crafts. For his breaking news coverage, however, he relied on his trusted mirrorless system, prioritizing speed and mobility. He emphasizes that the best equipment is whatever feels invisible in your hands, allowing the photographer to focus entirely on the moment. His lighting technique, often utilizing available natural light even in challenging conditions, gives his images an immediacy that resonates with viewers.
The recognition for Glossop's work continued in 2025, with his climate protest photograph shortlisted for the World Press Photo Award and his artisan series featured in a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Colleagues describe his process as methodical yet intuitive—he researches extensively before an assignment but remains open to unexpected narratives that emerge. His photo editor at The Times notes that Glossop's images don't just illustrate stories; they become the story, prompting deeper investigation and public discourse. This impact is evident in how his flooding coverage influenced subsequent government relief efforts.
Looking toward 2026, Glossop plans to embark on a long-term project documenting the changing face of rural Britain, focusing on communities adapting to economic and environmental pressures. He believes photography's most important function is bearing witness, creating a visual record for future generations to understand our present moment. While acknowledging the challenges facing photojournalism in an era of AI-generated images and shrinking news budgets, Glossop remains optimistic about the medium's power to foster genuine human connection and drive social change.
