It was a year of extremes. Extreme close-ups, extreme colors, extreme loudness and extreme quiet. The visuals that defined the New York Times Styles section in 2025 showcasedbold choices made by the people behind and in front of camera lenses.

The still and moving images photographers made on assignment this year captured rock stars, superfans, fashion shows, marching bands and familiar faces in surprising ways. Here, we share a collection of those images,along with photographers’ reflections.

“This photograph reminds me of Botticelli’s ‘The Birth Of Venus.’ In the painting, Venus arrives at the shore for the first time; in this photograph, Lupita arrives at the Met Gala, with the quiet certainty that she has, indeed, stood in this place before.” — Landon Nordeman

“The race isn’t about top speed but about connection, nostalgia and the rare opportunity to slip back into a simpler time. And while these machines are not particularly fast, I wanted the images to feel fast while still holding the moment still.” — Jason Andrew

“What struck me most about Javier was his radiance — joyous, warm and magnetic. The sculpted seriousness of a leading man gave way the moment I leaned around the camera to speak, shifting to something subtler and disarming in its simplicity.” — Ryan James Caruthers

“Being among these birds felt very elemental. Like I’d experienced something both familiar and ancient.” — Erinn Springer

“He had a genuine enthusiasm about being on the other side of the camera for the first time. The perfect subject. Collaborative and generous, up for anything, including hanging out of the same window he’d welcomed me from an hour prior.” — Jono White

“It was my Salvador Dalí moment.” — Amir Hamja

“The energy at the Pitbull concert was infectious. Everyone was so excited and fully engaged, eager to have their experiences documented of what felt like a global pop-culture movement.” — Ayesha Kazim

“I loved the juxtaposition of his intense stare piercing through the sea of silver glitter.” — Dolly Faibyshev

“A surprising moment always makes the photo special. We were having a fun time at the bodega playing hide-and-seek with Ashley, thecat. I’m glad I could capture that unexpected split second.” — Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

“Peck was hyper-meticulous in his attention to detail — perfecting his western fit and making sure the fringe of his mask fell straight. So when we started recording video, it was surprising to see him become so playful.” — Thea Traff

“If you manage to find your footing on the tiny platform that overlooks the crowd at Le Bain, you become the main character. You gain the power to see everyone and also be seen completely.” — Marissa Alper

“When the shepherd warned me that his gay flock was currently in mating season and highly aggressive, I felt a little uneasy. When we arrived at the flock, however, I found the sheep to be quite different from what I had feared; they were downright affectionate with each other and cuddled in the pasture.” — Valentin Goppel

“As I photographed them, it felt like stepping into their universe, one defined by pure excitement and imagination.” — Ye Fan

“I had to photograph from the arena floor while weaving between a dozen moving pigs. I waited for the split second when her stare, her pig, and the surrounding chaos all aligned in one frame.” — Mike Kai Chen

“For a guy who is around the real thing, Robert seemed delighted by the toy crocodiles I brought to the set. His keenness to play, without any hesitation, was an unexpected but endearing response, and it only confirmed what a lot of people had been telling me: that he’s an absolute sweetie.” — Jennelle Fong

“I could tell immediately Michael’s energy was totally commanding of every room he walked into. I knew it was important to make his huge smile a part of this portrait.” — Vincent Alban

“That collaboration and commitment between photographer and subject always leads to magical photos. A little bit of improvisation in the moment and a killer dress, and suddenly we’re really making something.” — Michelle Groskopf

“This was right after I asked if he could take off his sunglasses. His willingness to be still and present was surprising, especially his eyes, which remained vulnerable and gracious.” — Erik Carter