At the end of each year, I like to step back and spend some time with a small selection of photographs that stayed with me long after they were taken. Not necessarily the most popular images, or even the most technically complex, but the ones that continued to surface as I reviewed the year. For one reason or another, these are the frames that stand out—whether because of a certain quality of light, the way I felt in the moment, a memory tied to a new experience, or some combination of all three.
As always, this list is less about ranking and more about reflection. These photos span street scenes, quiet city moments, and time spent moving through landscapes. Many were made during everyday walks or brief pauses between projects; others while traveling. This year, I had the privilege of taking photographs in South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
Here are my Top 10 images of 2025, presented in chronological order:
장날 (“Jang Nal”) – Market Day
Tongyeong, South Korea
Fujifilm GFX 50R + GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR
ISO 100, 1/1600s, f/1.7
In early January, I went for a walk through the Tongyeong Jungang Market with my wife and happened to arrive on jang nal, or market day—when vendors spill out onto the sidewalks to sell their goods. These days are always great for both shopping and photography. I came across this clothing vendor bathed in beautiful reflected light and couldn’t pass it up. I also love the tightly packed grid of signs on the commercial building behind him—very Korea.
Tales From the 출근길 (“Chulgeun gil”: On the Way to Work)
Seoul, South Korea
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 35–70mm f/4.5–5.6 WR
ISO 800, 1/110s, f/5.2
I was walking to a shoot one morning in Jongno and found myself wandering through alleyways near the Nakwon Instrument Arcade (낙원악기상가). While I would’ve loved to stop and check out some guitars, I was more drawn to the gritty atmosphere of the side streets. These two well-dressed gentlemen, framed by the worn parking-lot corridor, felt like a still from a film.
Quiet Evening in Ashikaga
Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR
ISO 800, 1/25s, f/2.8
In April, I traveled to Tochigi Prefecture with my mom—my first real taste of the Japanese countryside. I loved seeing a side of Japan far from the big cities (the best side, according to friends). Ashikaga is especially quiet in the evenings, and walking through scenes like this felt incredibly peaceful. I was drawn to the blue-hour sky, the silhouettes of power lines, and the soft glow of building lights. And no—those are not birds! I thought so at first too.
Ueno in the Rain
Tokyo, Japan
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR
ISO 320, 1/40s, f/2.0
After a few days in the countryside, it was time to return to Tokyo. Ueno is my preferred home base—it feels older and grittier, with traces of past decades woven into its streets, bridges, and alleyways. On a rainy night, I borrowed an umbrella from the very kind hotel staff and spent a couple of hours wandering. I came away with many images I like, but this one stands out. As I once told a friend, I left my heart in Ueno—and I’m already looking forward to going back. Fun fact: this has been my phone wallpaper for the past year. 😀
Ryōhaku Mountains
Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 55mm f/1.7 R WR
ISO 100, 1/75s, f/13
Japan kept delivering right up to the end. On my flight from Narita to Busan, the plane maintained a relatively low altitude, offering sweeping views from coast to coast. As we crossed into Fukui Prefecture, the Ryōhaku Mountains came into view—mist-filled valleys, snowy peaks, and late-afternoon light revealing layer upon layer of texture. It was a beautiful way to close out the trip.
Smoke Break
Busan, South Korea
Fujifilm X-T5 + Meike 85mm f/1.8 II
ISO 125, 1/1000s, f/1.8
After a few days of shooting for a commercial client, my good friend Dylan Goldby and I headed to Busan to unwind with chicken, beer, and some photowalks. In the Jagalchi Market area, we came across tents where people were carefully arranging fish hooks—junak (주낙), a traditional Korean longline fishing tool. Before heading out, fishermen spend hours baiting each hook by hand. The things you learn.
This tent had everything going for it: beautiful light on the man at work, the contrast of the woman taking a smoke break, rich colors and textures, all neatly framed by the tent and foreground. One of my favorite frames from that day.
Pokpo-Am Hermitage
Goseong, South Korea
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 100–200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
ISO 100, 6 sec, f/16
After a couple of weeks of summer monsoon rain, I made my way to Pokpo-Am Hermitage in Goseong. The valley and waterfall, framed by the temple grounds, are especially striking after heavy rainfall. I gave this image an Aerochrome treatment (RNI All Films 5), which felt fitting for the scene. While there, I even filmed an unplanned YouTube video—it felt right in the moment, and I’m glad I did. https://youtu.be/nkJYLMNVEFg
Dinahican Fish Port: Arrival
Quezon Province, Philippines
Fujifilm X-T5 + XF50mmF2 R WR
ISO 125, 1/1600s, f/2.0
This was another memorable day that yielded a lot of strong images. Dinahican Fish Port is over three hours from my hometown, but the photography—and the seafood—made it well worth the trip. We arrived just as the fishing boats were coming in. I loved the sheer number of people on the boats and the way fish were carried on shoulders straight to the market. As always in the Philippines, people were warm, friendly, and quick to smile. We left with full bellies, kilos of fresh seafood, and a memory card full of images.
Naro Island
Goheung, Jeollanamdo, South Korea
Fujifilm GFX100S + GF 100–200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
ISO 100, 10 sec, f/16
On a late-summer trip to Jeollanamdo, I found myself on a beach on Naro Island as the tide rushed in. I noticed an S-curve in the sand leading toward a distant rock and used a 10-stop ND filter to smooth out the water. Within minutes, the sand was completely submerged, but I managed to get this frame. A black-and-white treatment felt right—minimal, graphic, and focused on lines and shape. Landscape photography was my first love, and it was good to return to it.
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Autumn
Seoul, South Korea
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF16mm f/2.8 R WR
This year, I finally captured the postcard view of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion—something I’d wanted for years but never quite managed due to timing and renovations. During a busy stretch of autumn shoots, I carved out time to visit the palace. The image speaks for itself: a simple, quintessentially Korean scene. The overhanging maple branches frame the pavilion beautifully, while the reflection and fallen leaves complete the seasonal mood.
And that’s about it! Choosing just ten photographs always means leaving many behind—often images made on the very same days. Still, these ten feel like a clear distillation of how the year unfolded.
Despite busy shooting schedules and tight deadlines, photography, for me, remains a way of paying attention—of slowing down, noticing subtle shifts in light and atmosphere, and staying open to unplanned moments. I’m grateful that this sense of discovery hasn’t faded after years in the industry, and it’s something I’m carrying with me into the year ahead.
As I move forward, I’m looking toward new places, returning to familiar ones, and continuing to make photographs that feel honest to the moment.
Thank you for taking the time to look!
Onward to 2026!
