A look back at the moments, families, and stories that defined 2025. All photos by Pittsburgh Family Photographer, Danielle Blewitt Photography.
More Than a Favorites List | 2025 Photography Year in Review
For years now, I’ve had the idea of creating a superlatives post — a way to look back on the best (and funniest) moments from the year and see them all together in one place.
When I finally sat down to do it, I realized pretty quickly that narrowing things down was harder than expected. Not because there weren’t enough good photos, but because there were too many meaningful ones.
Every image represents a real moment — a laugh, a connection, a phase that won’t last forever. Each photo has a purpose in its family’s story, which makes choosing “favorites” feel surprisingly overwhelming when you know how much every frame matters to someone.
This year felt full in all the best ways. Full of familiar faces I’ve photographed again and again, new families who trusted me for the first time, and moments that were real, emotional, sometimes chaotic, and always meaningful.
And that’s the part I keep coming back to — these photos exist because of trust. Because families show up, let their kids be themselves, and allow me into moments I never take lightly.
So this isn’t a list of the only images that mattered this year — just a small window into a year I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of as a Pittsburgh family photographer.
This post is a look back at the best photos of the year 2025, highlighting the moments and families that made it so meaningful.
The Year, By the Numbers
This year, I photographed 165 sessions, with families continuing to be at the heart of my work.
In total, I edited and delivered 20,489 images — each one carefully culled, thoughtfully chosen, and hand-edited to help tell the story of each family’s session.
Sessions took place across 15 locations, from familiar favorites to a few new spots that quickly earned a place in my rotation.
And the number that means the most to me?
74% of the sessions I photographed this year were with returning families.
That statistic represents trust, connection, and relationships that have grown over time. I truly believe the feeling is mutual — I adore your families, I love watching them grow, and I’m deeply honored to help document these seasons of life as they unfold.
The remaining 26% of sessions were with new families, many of whom came through referrals. Thank you for sharing my name, trusting me with your people, and helping this community grow in such a genuine way.
With the year in mind, here are a few superlatives — moments that stood out for different reasons, but all tell the story of 2025 in their own way.
WANT TO JUMP TO THE FAVORITES?
Favorite Image of the Year | Best Photos of the Year 2025
This image holds so many of the reasons I love what I do. The light, the color, the calm after a little uncertainty — and a family that feels so genuine and welcoming.
We went back and forth all day, wondering if it would be too cold or if the rain would move in, and instead we were met with dramatic skies and the most beautiful sunset. Sometimes the days you’re unsure about end up giving you exactly what you needed.
2025 Favorite Image Runners Up — A few more moments that stood out and were hard to leave behind.
2025 Winner | Best Action Shot
I loved this little moment so much. The way the light wrapped around her, paired with that quiet, thoughtful expression, felt really special. It wasn’t a big or loud moment — just a small gesture that happened naturally and told its own story.
It’s a reminder that some of the most meaningful moments come from simply letting kids be exactly where they are.
2025 Best Action Shot Runners Up:
Best Light | Best Photos of the Year 2025
I’m such a sucker for beautiful light, and if I could bottle this up and bring it to every session, I absolutely would. There were so many favorites this year, but this moment stood out immediately — I knew it in the moment.
The light here is rich and deep in that way only golden hour can be, wrapping the scene in warmth and setting the tone for the entire image. It feels calm, timeless, and like everything lined up exactly when it was meant to.
2025 Best Light Runners Up: The first was a very close runner-up from this year for a completely different, but equally beautiful kind of light.
2025 Winner | Best Emotion
This moment was pure joy between a beautiful mom and her spunky little one. It wasn’t staged or forced — just an organic, genuine moment of love and laughter that unfolded naturally.
These are the moments that hold so much meaning, because they’re real and honest, and they tell the story of connection in the simplest way.
2025 Best Emotion Runners Up:
2025 Winner | Best Sibling Moment
This moment was so simple, but incredibly organic and genuine. These two sisters were so sweet throughout the whole session. This moment showcased the way they naturally look at each other — it says everything. I know there was a mom, dad and excited photographer peeking in on this moment.
2025 Best Sibling Moment Runners Up:
2025 Winner | Most Personality
This one had to be a full session, not just a single image. From start to finish, this little one showed up with so much personality — expressive, curious, playful, and completely herself in every frame.
She was clearly having the best time, and honestly, I’m not sure who enjoyed this session more — her, or all of us watching her do her thing. It was one of those sessions that felt easy, fun, and full of genuine moments from beginning to end.
2025 Most Personality Runners Up:
2025 Winner | Best Cry Face
This one wins Best Cry Face for obvious reasons. One kid smiling, one kid crying, and a mom right in the middle holding it all together.
It’s such a real snapshot of family life — not perfectly timed or posed, but honest and full of personality. Moments like this are a reminder that real memories matter far more than perfect ones, and sometimes the images that make us laugh later are the ones we end up loving the most.
2025 Best Cry Face Runners Up:
2025 Winner | Best Storytelling Sequence
This sequence tells a complete story on its own. What started as a playful moment initiated entirely by this little guy quickly turned into a full-on celebration — complete with the cutest touchdown dance.
Nothing here was directed. He took the lead, showed off his personality, and moved through the field exactly how he wanted to. As the moment developed, it all unfolded in the most beautiful scene — surrounded by flowers and glowing light — which is what ultimately made this one such a favorite for me.
2025 Best Storytelling Sequence Runners Up:
Best Black and White | Best Photos of the Year 2025
There’s a boldness to this image — the contrast, the tones, the way black and white strips everything down — but the moment itself is incredibly still.
That balance is what drew me in. Nothing is rushed or dramatic. It’s quiet, intimate, and steady, letting the connection between them take center stage in a way that feels timeless.
2025 Best Black and White Runners Up:
New Favorites This Year
Alongside the superlatives, there were a few things this year that felt new — moments, locations, and types of sessions that stood out and quickly became favorites. These aren’t tied to one category or title, but they reflect the ways my work continues to evolve and the creative spaces I found myself drawn to this year.
Chasing Cherry Blossoms
For the first time this year, I set out intentionally to capture the cherry blossoms during the spring season. They’re such an elusive window — completely dependent on the weather, never guaranteed, and often squeezed into those unpredictable pockets of early spring when conditions can change day by day.
With a few flexible families willing to roll with the timing, it all came together. The result was a gorgeous session wrapped in soft spring color, warm light, and that fleeting feeling that only cherry blossom season brings. It was one of those moments that felt worth the wait — and something I’d love to chase again.
Diving into Sports Portraits
This year I fully leaned into my sports mom era and started offering sports portraits for my son’s baseball league. What began as a way to support the season we were already living in quickly turned into something I genuinely loved creating.
I wanted these to feel like more than traditional sports photos — giving kids the chance to step into character, show some confidence, and let their personality come through just as much as the uniform. The kids had so much fun with it, and those personality-packed moments ended up being some of my favorites.
It felt really special to pair what I love about photography with the season I’m surrounded by right now. And of course, my favorite subject was my favorite athlete — capturing him right in the middle of his big pro-sports dreams made it all even sweeter.
Capturing the Drama of a Silhouette
Let’s talk about a new shot that quickly became a favorite — and a bit of a staple during the fall season. When paired with a new favorite location, silhouettes ended up being something I kept coming back to again and again.
A great silhouette isn’t always easy to pull off. It takes the right timing, the right light, and the right setting — and this spot delivered all three. Once I realized how well it worked, I leaned into it and gave myself permission to play a little more creatively.
What I loved most was how it introduced a new way of storytelling through a different type of shot. Stripping things down to shape and movement, paired with dreamy skies, allowed the moment to speak in a quieter but still powerful way. These silhouettes were so fun to create and quickly became a favorite part of the season.
Sessions at Soergels
One of my favorite discoveries this year was a hidden gem that had been right in plain sight the whole time — Soergel’s Orchards. Just minutes from my house and along a path I travel often, it was a place I’d never really considered for photos until this season.
The rolling hills, the organic feel of the farm, and the simple, timeless landscape make it such a beautiful setting for fall sessions. This year, I was lucky enough to have an abundance of sun, which brought so much warmth and depth to the space and made it feel even more special.
I loved getting to see this familiar place through a new lens, and I’m excited to return and explore it in other seasons in the year ahead.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back on this year, I’m reminded how much of this work exists because of trust. Because families invite me in, show up as they are, and allow me to document moments that are real, imperfect, and deeply meaningful.
I don’t take that lightly. Each session, each story, and each image is something I’m truly grateful to be a part of. Thank you to the families who returned year after year, to the new faces who trusted me for the first time, and to everyone who made this year feel so full in the best way.
As I look ahead, I’m excited to keep creating, exploring, and telling stories — wherever the next season leads. Thank you for being part of the best photos of the year 2025 and the stories behind them.
If you need family, newborn or senior photos, I’d love the opportunity to connect. You can get the conversation started HERE.
