Photography has the extraordinary power to document, inspire, and connect.
As Director of Photography for the Make It Better Foundation, a contributing editor to photography publications around the world, and a photographer with over four decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most talented photographers who have captured the defining moments of our shared history.
For this end-of-2024 retrospective, I invited a diverse group of photographers working across genres to share their most meaningful images of the year — photographs that celebrate the human spirit, inspire action, and tell stories that unite.
The collection of photographs submitted ranged from deeply symbolic to delightfully heartwarming. Deanne Fitzmaurice’s image of a rainbow appearing over a Lahaina Fire memorial captures a powerful sense of hope and resilience, while Ringo Chiu’s playful shot of a squirrel brings a lighthearted charm. Meanwhile, David Burnett and Paul Kitagaki Jr. offer poignant glimpses into the lives of veterans and internment camp survivors, showcasing the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Ami Vitale has devoted her career to chronicling endangered animals and the people striving to save them, while fellow Nikon Ambassador Michelle Valberg brings us into some of the world’s most untouched ecosystems, where wildlife still thrives in relative security.
Paul Nicklen’s work often takes him beneath icy waters, documenting the struggle for survival in fragile marine habitats. His partner Cristina Mittermeier’s new book, HOPE, is a testament to the resilience of nature and the power of photography to inspire action, making it one of the most life-affirming works of the year. Together, Nicklen and Mittermeier lead the charge in using compelling visual storytelling to drive global awareness and support for ocean conservation through their nonprofit, Sea Legacy.
Many of the photographers featured have used their work to shed light on humanity’s most difficult moments. Nick Ut’s iconic photograph “The Terror of War” exposed the devastating realities of the Vietnam War to the world, while Don McCullin’s decades of conflict photography, reflected in his book Life, Death and Everything in Between offers a deeply personal perspective on the cost of war. He considers his 2024 book on sculpture, The Roman Conceit, to be his photographic salvation. Greece-based Byron Smith continues this legacy with his 2024 book Testament ’22, featuring a poignant image from Ukraine that highlights the bond between pets and their humans.
Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, documented by Kate Green, showcased her unparalleled cultural impact. Beyond the stage, Swift has demonstrated her commitment to philanthropy through longstanding support for organizations such as the African Parks Foundation of America (APFA) and Feeding America.
MJ Kim, Paul McCartney’s tour photographer, captures an artist whose philanthropy spans decades and organizations including Cruelty Free International, PETA, Everyone Matters and Greenpeace.
Art Streiber’s portraits highlight Snoop Dogg, whose philanthropic efforts focus on youth mentorship and community support, and Leonardo DiCaprio, a passionate environmentalist.
Sandro Miller — when not photographing striking celebrity portraits, like his masterful series with John Malkovich — chose a profound image of a man in Mumbai framed by the symbolism of a banyan tree, reflecting resilience and growth.
For my selections, I focused on athletes whose stories inspire perseverance and triumph: Simone Biles reclaiming gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Women’s Long Jump victory and celebration with her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, and Shohei Ohtani’s MVP-winning season, culminating in a Dodgers World Series championship.
Together, these images celebrate the human spirit and the enduring power of photography to inspire and connect us.
Art Streiber
“Snoop Dogg is the ultimate coach. A mentor. A teacher. A nurturer. A guru. On television he is now a coach on ‘The Voice.’ In real life, in 2005, Snoop (born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) founded the Snoop Youth Football League for at-risk youth in Southern California. Twenty of the league’s former players have gone on to play in the NFL. Since 2017, he has also run a special-needs division called Snoop Special Stars for anyone five years or older with a physical, mental or developmental disability. Snoop Dogg partners with the city of Inglewood, California at Thanksgiving and gives away 3,000 turkeys each year to the less fortunate. The People Magazine cover story I photographed him for was about Snoops cultural ubiquity. The accompanying imagery illustrated his giving and leading by example.”
Find Art Streiber on Instagram: @aspictures and artstreiber.com.
MJ Kim
“Paul McCartney’s music has the power to unite people divided by ideology and ideas. People from different backgrounds and perspectives can connect and empathize through music, breaking down boundaries in the process of sharing emotions and messages. This is Paul performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 16, 2024.”
Find MJ Kim on Instagram: @mjkim_lalala and mjkimpictures.com.
Kate Green
“Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium on August 15, 2024 in London, England.”
Find Kate Green on Instagram: @kategreenphotographer and kategreen-photographer.co.uk/.
Art Streiber
“Leonardo DiCaprio is an Academy Award-winning actor, a climate activist, and a major philanthropist. In 1998, when he was 24, DiCaprio and his mother donated $35,000 for a ‘Leonardo DiCaprio Computer Center’ at a library in Los Feliz. He has donated to the nursing home of a Titanic survivor; relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010; the Animal Legal Defense Fund; and GLAAD. In 2020, DiCaprio’s foundation donated $3M to Australia bushfire relief and in 2022 he donated $10M to support Ukraine against the Russian Invasion. This portrait was part of a Vanity Fair cover story about the making of “Killers of The Flower Moon.” I photographed DiCaprio, Lilli Gladstone, and Martin Scorsese for the cover, an inside portrait, and then made individual portraits of each. The light was inspired by the Dutch Masters, in particular Thomas de Keyser.”
Find Art Streiber on Instagram: @aspictures or visit their website.
Cristina Mittermeier
“Although I photographed ‘Wild Flowers in My Hair’ in 2023, it wasn’t until 2024 that its significance was fully recognized. The image features a young girl I met in a market in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, adorned in a magnificent headdress of wildflowers native to the region. She was not the only woman wearing flowers that day, a testament to how, even in this harsh and challenging part of Africa, women find ways to embrace beauty amidst adversity. I chose this photograph for the cover of my new book, HOPE (Hemeria), because it reminds me of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling to inspire conservation and connection.”
Find Cristina Mittermeier on Instagram: @mitty and cristinamittermeier.com.
Sandro Miller
“I created this portrait in Mumbai in 2024. The banyan tree represents growth, strength, and self-awareness through reflection and meditation. The power in his eyes tells me his mind is clear, alert, his soul kind and caring and full of love. The banyan tree provides a place of safety and connects one to the natural world. What amazed me while clicking this picture was the look in the eyes of the man. They tell a story and evoke multiple emotions at the same time.”
Find Sandro Miller on Instagram: @sandro_film and sandrofilm.com.
Deanne Fitzmaurice
“Six months after the 2023 Lahaina Fire tore through the island of Maui, Hawaii, killing over 100 people, I returned to Lahaina to document how the community was coping in the face of such unthinkable loss and devastation. As I photographed the hillside memorial, a brilliant rainbow emerged. It felt hopeful, and for me, symbolized the profound strength and resilience of the human spirit I had witnessed in this community. I learned later that for the Hawaiians, when a rainbow or ‘Ānuenue’ appears, it is believed to be the doorway or portal between this world and the world of the gods.”
Find Deanne Fitzmaurice on Instagram: @deannefitzmaurice and deannefitzmaurice.com.
Ringo Chiu
“I created this playful shot with my laptop and some nuts on the campus of California State University, Northridge to illustrate the idea that you’re never too young, too old or too furry to learn.”
Find Ringo Chiu on Instagram: @ringochiu and ringochiuphotography.com.
Paul Nicklen
“In 2024, I had one of the most profound experiences of my life while documenting pumas in Chilean Patagonia. After a challenging journey to Torres del Paine National Park, I finally met Petaka, a legendary puma, and her kittens, witnessing their serene lives in harmony with their wild surroundings. Later, caught in a snowstorm, I shared a cave with another wild puma, sitting in perfect silence as snow blanketed the landscape. Moments like these remind me why conservation is so vital. When we give nature the space to recover, we see life as it was meant to be — wild, resilient, and awe-inspiring. This is why I dedicate my work to protecting our fragile planet.”
Find Paul Nicklen on Instagram: @paulnicklen or paulnicklen.com.
Ami Vitale
“The Kenya Wildlife Service team quickly sprang into action to save a rhino’s life after it stopped breathing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, January 20, 2024. They successfully translocated 21 eastern black rhinos to Loisaba Conservancy, which hasn’t seen rhinos for 50 years due to poaching. The operation not only underscores Kenya’s conservation triumph but also signifies a critical step in achieving stable habitats for the survival of the species.”
Find Ami Vitale on Instagram: @amivitale and amivitale.com.
Michelle Valberg
“This infrared image of a black bear on Vancouver Island became one of those unforgettable moments for me in 2024. The bear feels and looks almost insignificant in the immensity of the landscape, yet its presence is a powerful reminder of resilience, fragility, and the beauty of the wild. Capturing this in infrared pushed my boundaries as a photographer and made me think about how small actions can ripple outward, creating a bigger impact. It’s not just a photograph — it’s a call to see, feel, and protect the world around us. The surreal tones remind me that seeing the world differently can inspire us to think differently too.”
Find Michelle Valberg on Instagram: @michellevalbergphotography and michellevalberg.com.
Douglas Busch
“The Genos Center, our non-profit organization, is dedicated to fostering a more just, equitable, and compassionate world through the power of art, education, and sustainable design. Our curated art exhibitions will be designed to encourage deep questioning and reflection on the complexities of culture and society. Whether showcasing music, film, painting, or multimedia works, we aim to evoke feelings of hope, healing, and a profound sense of belonging. Our educational programs for children and adults will promote the teaching of tolerance, love, and the celebration of our cultural shared humanity. At the heart of our mission is the creation of a proactive community that celebrates the diversity and interconnectedness of all individuals, with a special focus on empowering and educating children and underrepresented social groups.
The AI rendering program I used gives us a visual glimpse into the future. We are hoping to break ground in Simi Valley, California in mid-2025. I designed all the buildings and landscapes. This particular image is the interior of the non-denominational Genos Chapel. The photographs in this gallery are from my ‘Silent Wave’ series and allow the viewer to contemplate how nature and man interact.”
Find Douglas Busch on Instagram: @buschdesignbuild and douglasbusch.com.
David Burnett
“I photographed World War II tank driver Ray Glansberg at home in Port St. Lucie, Florida on March, 14, 2024 for American Airlines. He was among the veterans they flew to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 in Normandy. Ray was born in November 1921, so he just had his 103rd birthday. I went to Omaha Beach for the first time in 1974 and have continued to go back at least once every five years. For the 50th anniversary I was there to document a bunch of the veterans who decided they wanted to parachute near Sainte-Mère-Église which ended up as a double-page spread in Time Magazine. I’m always touched by the great sense of gratitude the French have for the American liberators at these ceremonies.”
Find David Burnett on Instagram: @davidburnettfoto or visit their website.
Paul Kitagaki Jr.
“On February 19, 1942, the reverberations of a nation grappling with the aftermath of a Japanese attack manifested in President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s issuance of Executive Order 9066. This decree marked the inception of a harrowing chapter that forcibly displaced nearly 120,000 ethnic Japanese, the majority being native-born American citizens. Removed from their lives in California, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, they found themselves relocated to desolate incarceration camps far from the West Coast.
Driven by numerous questions and a quest for understanding, I embarked on a mission in 2005 to identify Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans immortalized by Dorothea Lange — who had photographed my grandparents, father, and aunt — and other War Relocation Authority photographers. This undertaking led me to photograph more than 60 of the original subjects or their direct descendants. This included locating and photographing the three boy scouts in a photograph by Pat Coffey taken at the Heart Mountain War Relocation Center, Wyoming on June 5, 1943 during a flag raising ceremony. I photographed the three — Junzo Jake Ohara, Takeshi Motoyasu, and Eddie Tetsuji Kato – in the front yard of Eddie’s Monterey Park, California home 70 years later. My book ‘Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit includes these pairings and encapsulates my lifelong commitment to sharing a crucial chapter of American history, fostering remembrance, and ensuring that such injustices are never forgotten.”
Find Paul Kitagaki Jr. on Instagram: @paulkitagaki and kitagakiphoto.com.
Byron Smith
“As part of my photojournalistic coverage in Ukraine, I documented the harrowing experiences of Ukrainian IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) fleeing Irpin. This image captures a group arriving before a destroyed Kyiv bridge, their faces etched with hardship. Amidst the chaos, they find solace in their canine companions — a testament to the unbreakable human-animal bond. It’s a poignant scene highlighting the human cost of the war and at the same time, human resilience. My role is to bear witness, give voice to the displaced, and shine a light on the ongoing struggle.”
Find Byron Smith on Instagram: @byronsmitty and byronsmithphoto.com.
Don McCullin
“In the last 20 years I’ve had a great passion for Roman archeological sites… anything to do about culture outside of war is a plus for me… I was allowed to go into the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last year and photograph the Roman room and I was never more happy. I got the most beautiful pictures photographing the statues. (The photograph presented here is ‘Discobolus’ at the Museo Nazionale Romano from McCullin’s new book The Roman Conceit.) I think I would spend my life doing that, all over, archeological and Roman history. Not a scholar, just a photographer. I would have been on the edge of poverty, but I would also have been in the center of great happiness and joy. But, mind you, when I photographed the great Roman temples and things like that, I always give thought to the fact that they were only created by slavery in the first place…everything I do is slightly overshadowed. When I look at a great Roman building, I think, ‘How beautiful! But hang on a minute, this could only have been put here by the slaves and the deaths of others.’ It’s taken me all my life to realize how futile violence is, in any shape or form. That’s why photography was meant to give me another life, take me away from the ignorance and the bigotry of the people I grew up with. I’ve been so grateful. I didn’t choose photography, I felt in chose me.”
Find Don McCullin on Instagram: @provocateurpress and donmccullin.com.
Mark Edward Harris
“Simone Biles inculcates the best of humanity. Her discipline, determination, and her ability to focus under the most difficult of circumstances — the whole world watching her — is unparallel, even on the uneven bars.”
“After winning the gold in the Women’s Long Jump at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team USA’s Tara Davis-Woodhall (left) ran to the stands to celebrate with her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodhall who I would later document winning gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.”
“Not since Babe Ruth has baseball seen a player such as Shohei Ohtani who could pitch and hit at an all-star level. While he did not pitch in 2024 to avoid reinjuring an elbow ligament, the Los Angeles Dodger posted the best offensive season of his career, which saw him become the first player to reach the 50-50 club. He also earned his third Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Most Valuable Player Award while helping his time to a World Series victory. I have had the honor of photographing the superstar with both the Dodgers and the Angels. It will be amazing to see what he can do when he returns to the pitching mound for the 2025 season.”
Find Mark Edward Harris on Instagram: @MarkEdwardHarrisPhoto and markedwardharris.com.
Nick Ut
“I went to San Pedro to photograph birds along the coast. As I was walking there I saw a young man playing basketball. Right away I thought, ‘This is a better picture.’ You always have to keep your eyes open and look for opportunities. Don’t just focus on a plan and stick to it. So I went to photograph birds and instead photographed a human flying.”
Find Nick Ut on Instagram: @utnicky.
