Several photographers spoke with Axios to reflect on a year full of stunning photos.
Why it matters: News photographers capture key moments and emotions that enhance the storytelling and provide insight into the larger context of an event.
Anna Moneymaker's photo from the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shown above, made headlines around the world earlier this year.
"I think what is interesting from the whole historic event is how I was one of four photographers in the buffer for his rally and not one photographer got the same picture as the other. We all had different angles, and that shows the importance of multiple visual journalists being present for campaign events so that every angle can be documented," says Moneymaker.
Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 28 in Baltimore, Md. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
"Most photographers had no idea what was happening as they were focused on the trophy celebration. Swift quickly moved to a restricted access portion behind the stage. I thought this could be bad for visuals, but still forced my way as close to the barricade as I could," says Patrick Smith.
"Not long after, Travis Kelce had made his way to her. Then it happened. A hug. A whisper. A snuggle. A kiss. A lot of smiles."
"It was more than a kiss or embrace — it was a moment that humanized these larger-than-life celebrities and something the world had been waiting to see."
A man mourns as he cradles the dead body of a victim of an Israeli strike on Feb. 21 in Rafah, Gaza. Photo: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images
"By February 2024, scenes like this were a near-daily occurrence at Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah," says Ahmad Hasaballah.
"This man is mourning his daughter, Kenzi Abdel Rahman Jumah, who was killed in a house hit by an Israeli strike. More than half of Gaza's population were clustered in Rafah at this point in the war, as Israel's campaign against Hamas pushed farther south. The experience of covering such farewell moments was very moving as a photographer living in Gaza."
"I expected that one day I would photograph my family in this situation, which happened when I photographed the farewell of my cousin, who was killed near Khan Yunis. I later lost my father in this war, although I did not get to see him and say goodbye to him. I knew the meaning of loss."
The cargo ship Dali sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Mar. 26 in Baltimore. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Three women look at the solar eclipse near the base of the Washington Monument on April 8 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Demonstrators supporting Palestinians in Gaza barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall on Columbia University's campus on April 30 in New York City. Photo: Alex Kent/Getty Images
The northern lights fill the sky with green ribbons of electrically charged particles over a barn and pastures at Greaney's Turkey Farm in Mercer, Maine, on May 11. Photo: Michael Seamans/Getty Images
Mourners attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on May 22 in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Far-right activists hold an Enough is Enough protest on Aug. 2 in Sunderland, England. Photo: Simone J Rudolphi/Drik/Getty Images
Ambra Sabatini and Monica Graziana Contrafatto of Team Italy fall while running in the Women's 100-T63 Final on day 10 of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games on Sep. 7. Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
A person walks past downed power lines as people deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Oct. 5 in South Carolina. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
"When I'm covering hurricanes, I am always trying to show the people who are affected by the storms," says Joe Raedle.
"This moment came when I was driving through a neighborhood after Hurricane Helene had passed through, and I was looking to capture images that showed the power of the winds. The jumble of power lines and the lone figure walking near them was a juxtaposition that I felt showed this. The images we capture and transmit in real time during and after natural disasters can, hopefully, help bring the needed emergency relief for the areas and the people affected by the disasters."
A man and a woman embrace as family members and friends of the lost and kidnapped gather at the site of the Nova Festival to mark the 1st anniversary of the attacks by Hamas, on Oct. 7 in Israel. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Visitors look at the SpaceX Starship as it sits on a launch pad at Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas, on Oct. 12, ahead of the Starship Flight 5 test. Photo: Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images
A member of the fire brigade, which is part of a search-and-rescue unit, carries out work as cars and debris block a tunnel on Nov. 1 in Valencia, Spain, after catastrophic flooding. Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend the "Journey Through Oz" Tour to celebrate the Australian premiere of "Wicked" on Nov. 3 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Saverio Marfia/Getty Images
Vice President Harris departs the stage with second gentleman Doug Emhoff after conceding the election, at Howard University on Nov. 6 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
President Biden and President-elect Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 13. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Firefighters, rescuers and builders involved in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral parade during a ceremony to mark the reopening of the landmark cathedral, in central Paris, on Dec. 7. Photo: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione is led from the Blair County Courthouse after an extradition hearing on Dec. 10 in Pennsylvania. Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
"I live almost two hours from Altoona, where Luigi Mangione was recognized and captured at a McDonald's," says Jeff Swensen.
"A defining moment can be a facial expression or even body language, and Luigi has captivated an audience and attracted attention to the health care system in America. The perp walk in NYC on Dec. 19 was diametrically different than the brief second in a garage behind a courthouse in the middle of Pennsylvania. This image here with just his eyes and eyebrows shown was reminiscent of what we had all seen while they were searching for him."
