My own 10 favorite shots of 2025
2025 has been a big year for me, full of unexpected life lessons, progression on many levels, and many newly acquired skills. And I of course shot lots of atmospheric photographs! :)
I’ve mainly in 2025 focused on building the business, creating extra revenue models, growing the network, getting assignments, making sales, and learning A LOT MORE about marketing (read: pitches, leads, ads, cold outreach, etc etc).
2024 was a year full of wild travels to bucket list locations that boosted my portfolio to what it has become (up to the desired level I wanted!). The year 2025 was, as expected, a bit calmer and more focused on building the business. But that being said, I’ve also shot lots of fascinating shots in amazing places like Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Korea.
This is my top 10 of 2025:
HAKA — Auckland, New Zealand. — The cool kids from the James Cook High School went all out during their performance to celebrate Matariki, the Maori New Year. I got goosebumps from their energy and I’ve been wanting to run up a beach like a wildman and conquer villages ever since ;)
IZAKAYA — Shimbashi, Tokyo, Japan. — I’ve lived in Japan for 2.5 months last year and was in Tokyo in early January, strolling around the colorful vibrant area of Shimbashi, until I saw this amazing Japanese restaurant (an izakaya). The atmospheric red lights and the cool Japanese man just made up for a wonderful scene.
Eclectic Melbourne — Melbourne, Australia — When I first visited Melbourne for 3 days in 2023, I hated it. I didn’t get it. In 2025, I stayed for 3 months, and I get it now! :) — This wonderful city is cool, funky, strange, hip, delicious, weird, polarizing, ugly, beautiful, and most of all; eclectic!
KISU — Seoul, South Korea — Oh lord, it was sooooo cold in January when we visited Seoul. But that didn’t keep me from exploring this quirky, lovely, amazing, colorful, and vibrant megacity. Although it was super cold, the love was still in the air. This cute couple shared a secret kiss in lovers’ lane, where you can attach a lock to cement your love for each other. I thought it was quite a funny shot, with the sweet guy touting his lips for a big kiss.
SOLO — Goldcoast, Australia — I love this shot, not only because it makes me feel something (feeling small in a giant vast ocean, riding it solo!), but also how I shot it. I made sure the horizon was still visable in the photo to showcase the vast size of it all. The tiny sailboat shows the enormous scale of the entire scene, making it feel grand. The darkened underside of the photo make it feel a bit more creepy and atmospheric. This photo was taken while standing on top of the largest skyscraper in Australia (Q1 Tower, 322m high).
The Brisbane Skyline — Brisbane, Australia — One of the most loveliest cities in the world, has to be Brisbane. It’s such a liveable, nice, and cool place to be. And the weather is just 10/10, almost all of the time. And not to forget, the entire region of Queensland as well is just so lovely. If you have a family and want to live well, go there. Back to the photo: this was taken in the heart of the CBD, and the framing of the buildings made this photo look pretty unique. That curved piece is actually a giant walking bridge high up in the sky connecting these buildings with each other. Great city, as you can see!
The Young Ladies of Brisbane — Brisbane, Australia — The future and the next generation of Australia, still clothed in traditional school wear and with beautiful atmospheric hats on, got on the bus towards school. The bright sun was shining upon their charismatic hats, while the rest of the scene was covered in dark shadows, making up for a unique moment that flew by in a second.
The Queensland Sunset — Glass House Mountains, Queensland, Australia — After visiting Steve Irwin’s Zoo, which was so much fun, we drove back past the beautiful distinct Glass House Mountains. As soon as the sun set, the whole scene turned into a beautiful contrast of orange, blue, shadows and light. Whoahw!, we said in unison with a whole crew of people gawking at this scene.
Unbothered — Melbourne, Australia — The funkiest, scruffiest, but also the coolest and most hip city in the world has to be Melbourne. The scene showcases that exactly. The cool unbothered stylish man enjoys his little break while he stands in Hosier Lane, the most scruffy graffity-filled street of the city.
Mr. Melbourne. — Melbourne, Australia — I guess Melbourne has been the most picturesque for me this year, with over 3 mentions in this top 10. So, onward to the photo: I visited this iconic photobooth three times, but nothing remarkable happened the first two times. I got lucky the third time when this handsome, dapper man came swooping into the scene. This possible time traveller has been dubbed by me as Mr. Melbourne. What a character!
That’s it, that was the top 10 of 2025. But…
No new 1/1 Fine Art from 2025?
To become a 1/1, I demand the highest quality photograph that is truly a unique moment in time, a banger of a shot, a timeless classic! I don’t think I found that for this year. I’m strict, I know!
Maybe I’m too strict, but I want to keep these 1 of 1s the absolute best of the best. No B-stuff, only the AAA+ shots get that spot.
Maybe in 2026? :)
‘Can I support your work?’
Do you like these photographs and what I do? Great, thank you! You can check out my work here in the Fine Art Shop or in the License Library.
You can also follow me on Instagram and X to follow my journey as a world traveler and fine art travel photographer.
Cheers, see you in 2026!
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My own 10 favorite shots of 2024 >>
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