ISTANBUL

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.​​​​​​​