The world press photos of February 2025 offer a striking window into a month defined by profound contrasts — from tearful reunions and vibrant cultural festivities to political farewells and geological fury. The eighteen photographs in this collection, captured by photojournalists from AP, AFP, Getty Images, Reuters, and other leading agencies, document both the weight of global conflict and the enduring resilience of human celebration.
Emotion and Relief: Hostage Releases Grip the World
Among the most emotionally charged world press photos of February 2025 are those documenting the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
On February 15, 2025, a friend of Sagui Dekel Chen was photographed in Giv’ot Bar, southern Israel, breaking down as she watched a live broadcast of his release from Hamas captivity. The image, captured by Maya Alleruzzo for AP Photo, distills months of anguish into a single frame.
A week earlier, on February 8, 2025, Michal Cohen — mother of hostage Ohad Ben Ami — gathered with family members in Tel Aviv to watch the TV broadcast of her son’s release. Hamas had informed the Israeli government of its intention to free Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami as part of the latest wave of returned hostages. The photograph, by Amir Levy for Getty Images, captures a moment of overwhelming relief.
A more unsettling image was taken on February 20, 2025, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. A young boy holding a weapon stands beside a Hamas fighter as four bodies are handed over to the Red Cross. Photographed by Jehad Alshrafi for AP Photo, the image underscores the stark realities that persist within the conflict zone.
Festivals, Traditions, and Cultural Celebrations Around the Globe
February 2025 was equally rich in cultural spectacle, with communities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas marking their traditions with colour and ceremony.
On February 7, performers lit up the annual Chinese Lunar New Year Chingay parade in Singapore, captured in a vivid frame by Roslan Rahman for AFP. The parade is one of Asia’s most elaborate street celebrations, drawing thousands of participants each year.
Five days later, on February 12, residents and visitors gathered in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City, Taiwan, releasing sky lanterns skyward in hope of good fortune and prosperity during the traditional Lantern Festival. Chiang Ying-ying’s photograph for AP Photo captures the luminous spectacle against the night sky.
In Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesian Hindu devotees of Indian descent marked Thaipusam on February 11 — a festival honouring Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war and wisdom, venerated by communities with roots in South India and Sri Lanka. The image was taken by Kartik Byma for AFP.
On the same date, Barcelona blazed with the Correfocs — the fire-runs — during the city’s winter festival Santa Eulalia. A fire runner dressed in a devil costume danced beneath a shower of fireworks to the rhythm of traditional drums, photographed by Matthias Oesterle for Alamy Live News.
Across the Atlantic, New Orleans’ Creole heritage was celebrated ahead of Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome on February 9, as the Kansas City Chiefs prepared to face the Philadelphia Eagles. John Angelillo captured the moment for UPI/Rex Features/Shutterstock.
Love, Art, and Craft: Quieter Moments of Beauty
Not every memorable photograph demands a dramatic backdrop. Some of February’s finest images celebrate quiet craftsmanship and timeless romance.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany displayed an estimated 500,000 padlocks — each bearing the engravings or inscriptions of lovers who had attached them over the years. Martin Meissner photographed the scene for AP Photo.
On February 6, intricate artisan chocolates were photographed on display at The Chocolate Line in Bruges, Belgium, by Virginia Mayo for AP Photo — a fitting image for the days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Politics, Power, and Historic Transitions
On February 11, 2025, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was photographed leaving the final scheduled session of the Bundestag — Germany’s lower house of parliament — ahead of the country’s general election. The image, taken by Liesa Johannssen for Reuters, marks a defining moment in German political history.
In Damascus, Syria, on February 8, photojournalist Izettin Kasim for Anadolu/Getty Images documented the haunting state of Kadem Station — one of the most significant stops on the historic Hejaz Railway and a former gathering point for pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. Forces of the ousted Baath regime had vandalized the station, looting valuable copper plates and components from the historic locomotives and wagons on display.
Nature, Animals, and the Spectacle of Performance
On February 10, Mount Etna — Europe’s tallest and most active volcano — erupted dramatically in Italy, with lava pouring from a new fracture on its flank. The striking image was captured by Giuseppe Distefano for Etna Walk via AFP.
Also on February 10, the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opened at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Among the more endearing shots of the event: a pair of pug dogs resting comfortably, photographed by Andres Kudacki for Getty Images.
A further image from the same show, taken by Eduardo Munoz for Reuters, shows a dog readying itself to compete in the Herding Group at Madison Square Garden.
On February 8 in Brisbane, Australia, English singer, songwriter and DJ Charli XCX performed at the 2025 Laneway Festival at Brisbane Showgrounds in Queensland. The performance was documented by Henry Redcliffe for The Guardian.
Ceremony and Craft: Ancient Traditions in the Modern Era
On February 11, at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, a warden examined a 500 pound coin through a magnifier as part of the Trial of the Pyx — a ceremony tracing its origins to the 12th century, in which coins are weighed and assessed to ensure they meet the required standard. The photograph was taken by Frank Augstein for AP Photo.
The same day, the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2025 collection made its debut during New York Fashion Week at Terminal Warehouse in New York. A model paced the runway in what Charles Sykes captured for Invision/AP Photo as a polished snapshot of contemporary fashion.
A Month the Camera Could Not Ignore
February 2025 proved to be a month in which the world’s photojournalists were never short of subject matter. Whether documenting the raw grief and relief of a hostage crisis, the disciplined beauty of ancient ceremonies, or the elemental power of a volcanic eruption, these images collectively form a compelling visual record of our times.
For more outstanding photojournalism from this period, explore our Best Press Photos of 2025: Set 10 — January in Focus, or revisit some of the year’s most impactful frames in our Best Press Photos of 2025: Powerful Images – Set 6.
