2025 was noisy. As AI made image-making faster and cheaper than ever, something else came into focus: the pull of work made by people, shaped by lived experience, with feeling intact.
Selected by our staff and editors, these images stood out for their emotional honesty, idiosyncrasy, and the way they stayed with us. In no particular order, this is our latest selection of staff picks.
“I love Anna Reynal’s Man and Dog photo because it so beautifully captures a moment. We know the man in the photo is aware that the photo is being taken and he is modeling for it, but he deflects the attention from himself, and by looking at the dog, he wants to make it be about them, his connection with the dog. He doesn’t want it to be just about him with a dog. This also typifies for me everything authentic about Stocksy: real, authentic, genuine, and of course, technically great and well-lit. The light coming in through the crack in the door creates a frame within the frame.”
– Trace Cohen, CEO
“I loved this whole series when it first arrived in the collection. Ivan has really been able to create a very commercially focused yet creative and original set, but this one is my favorite. Well done Ivan!”
– Karim Perales, Senior Editor & Curator
“A perfect UGC recipe! Squeeze all the juice from the unexpected, scary event, blend in immediately with the ideal face expression, and sprinkle the mixture with direct flash. This UGC treat can be served both cold and warm, forever actually. We present to you Eloisa, the master chef!”
– Jelena Jojic Tomic, Editor & Curator
“Selecting one image from this year felt impossible; the volume of exceptional work submitted has been extraordinary. Choosing a single frame from this series proved equally difficult. I wish I could feature the entire collection. What truly demonstrates a photographer’s skill is their ability to deliver on a brief at the highest level, and this is where Bonninstudio consistently excels. Time and again, they produce work that aligns perfectly with the brief while directing models in a way that feels completely natural and unstaged, all at the highest commercial quality.”
– Micky Wiswedel, Editor & Curator
“This one might feel like cheating, because the whole series could easily stand as a beautiful short film on its own. I obviously loved the 16mm texture, but what I appreciate even more is how effortlessly you can complete the story with your imagination. There’s a presence, a feeling, that pulls you right into the moment.”
– Felix Chacon, Editor & Curator
“This portrait of a fisherman standing in his boat, wrapped in a cloak of fish, is such a treat to look at. Every time I come back to it, it brings up a mix of thoughts: the way it’s made, the textures, the mood, and especially his steady gaze just past the frame. He looks quietly proud and sure of himself, like he doesn’t need anyone else to approve of what he’s doing. The whole scene stays with me and softens the lines between what we do, what we love, and who we are.”
– Amy Covington, Editor & Curator
“It is very hard picking one image from our wonderful collection, there has been so much great work coming in. I love Silvia’s representation of worlds and how she has a specific style and perspective.”
– Boris Jovanovic, Editor & Curator
“Rodolfo Carlos Martinez Zuniga joined our community just two months ago, but has already brought us dozens of vibrant, engaging images. Blending Canadian, Mexican and Chinese cultural influences, his work is a fusion of each, yet entirely his own. This is just one out of many of his that I fell in love with this year.”
– Mark Pollard, Editor & Curator
“I have a bit of a weakness for archival family photos, and Maria Soledad has the most generous collection. This particular wedding registry image has so many layers of intrigue, it’s the perfect mid-moment snap. I want to know everything, possibly watch a movie based on these characters.”
– Andrea Fernandez, Senior Curator
“A perfectly captured family moment. The love and continuity between generations. I think this image perfectly captures what we need more of.”
– Pavel Gramatikov, Editor & Curator
“I loved this illustration so much that I had it printed and displayed as an oversized poster above my kid’s bed. Volha’s work is creative, warm, and playful. There is a cozy nostalgia that draws me again and again to this wonderful creator’s portfolio.”
– Michelle Sadler, Director of Operations & Governance
“Loved the framing and symmetry here, and how fisheye flare adds to the overall feeling.”
– Marko Milovanovic, Editor & Curator
“Every time I come across a new image by Jie Ma, I am reminded to take a breath and be still for a moment. There is a quiet certainty in the images, along with a strong sense of emotional intention. The colours and light are soft and beautifully balanced. This particular photograph places us as observers, watching an anonymous woman step out onto the street with calm determination. The banister becomes a character of its own, inviting us to wonder what kind of building she has emerged from. The angle is immaculate. The lines on the street could easily distract, yet through Jie Ma’s masterful composition, every element is perfectly placed. I imagine a poem forming in the dark copy space to the right. As I watch the woman step out into the day, I find myself quietly wishing her well.”
– Julia Forsman, Editing & Curation Lead
“If dogs could talk. This is one of those where they can speak to your mind what they really do feel about that moment. Annoyance? Boredom? Either way, this one has one of those stories where they will, no matter what, make you love them more.”
– Gabi Bucataru, Creative Tech
“The bold color palettes and jam-packed compositions of Antonio’s works all enhance the poignant narratives he crafts. I love this exaggerated depiction of having support and trust from a team. Sometimes I need the reminder that there are folks to catch me when I slip, and I can always be there to do the same. Hello, co-op!”
– Aaron Bergunder, UX Design
“I love the mood and deep colors of Huiqi Zhang’s still life. The candlelight feels so cosy and inviting.”
– Kayleigh Rees, Head of Revenue Marketing
Cara’s way of documenting everyday life on film never fails to draw me in. The moments Cara captures feel like stills from a movie full of curiosity, emotion, and wonder. They show the magic that is hidden in our daily routines and rhythms.”
– Ivar Teunissen, International Sales Consultant
“I find myself drawn to a lot of A.J.’s work, and this image is a great example of why. There are untold stories in the interplay of light and shadow here. It reminds me of those magical times in everyday life when everything comes together for a perfect, beautiful moment. At the same time, it feels as though it is far more than one moment both visually and thematically. Such potential for what comes next.”
– Margaret Vincent, VP Legal & Advocacy
