Throughout 2025, the fervor of political movements, thrum of entertainment excellence, triumphant cheers of sports fans and quiet moments in between echoed through the world. Northeastern students experienced a taste of it all, with events like the anti-Trump “Hands Off” rally in April and the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series championships in September. We sent our photo staff to capture it all, and these are their best photos of 2025.
During the Lunar New Year celebration at City Hall Jan. 27, two girls perform a traditional Chinese umbrella dance. Read more here. (Aya Al-Zehhawi)Daria Bogatova, a volunteer with the Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England, listens to speeches at a Feb. 23 rally commemorating the third year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (Chloe Craft)A b-boy — or male breakdancer — performs a windmill at the NU Breakers’ Pack the House event March 1. Read more here. File photo by Jessica Xing.A hockey player quietly confronts the Huskies’ loss against Boston University in the Hockey East Championship March 8. Read more here. (Margot Murphy)Dropkick Murphys member Jeff DaRosa plays the banjo while kicking one foot up March 14. Read more here. File photo by Jessica Xing.Freshman first baseman Eric Cha catches a pass from the pitcher as a Harvard player dives at a game March 16. Read more here. (Brian Daniels)A man holds up a sign that reads, “The revolution was born in Massachusetts. It will not die here” during the “Hands Off” rally April 5, which protested the Trump administration’s policies. Read more here (Chloe Craft)Bright Eyes member Conor Oberst proudly sings while surrounded by red and pink lights at a House of Blues concert April 18. Read more here. File photo by Jessica Xing.GENU-UAW union members chant and hold signs demanding Northeastern offer better compensation and health care benefits for working graduate students during commencement at Fenway Park May 11. Read more here. (Curtis DeSmith)Harvard graduate Leo Gérden speaks about his experience as a Swedish international student at the Harvard Students For Freedom rally May 27. Read more here . (Margot Murphy)Chaos, a member of the show “Flying High Dogs”, gazes into the camera after completing a trick during the JFK Library and Museum “Presidential Pets” exhibition Sept. 10. Read more here. (Margot Murphy)A child holds a balloon while watching the Chinatown Lantern Festival Sept. 13. Read more here. (Ian Dickerman)A diver competing in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series championships twists in the air Sept. 19. Read more here. (Curtis DeSmith)A couple enjoys a picnic along the Muddy River in the Back Bay Fens Sept. 20. Read more here. (Devyn Rudnick)A cowboy wrangles an ox during the steer wrestling event at the Boston Rodeo & Country Music Festival Sept. 20. Read more here. (Curtis DeSmith)A model laughs and smiles as she walks the Runway for Recovery show at Westin Seaport Hotel Oct. 3. The annual show hosted by a nonprofit of the same name celebrates and supports individuals with breast cancer. Read more here. (Curtis DeSmith)An attendee at the District 7 city councilor debate smiles Oct. 16. Read more here. (Evelynn Lin)Sophomore setter Arina Sosinovica jumps to hit the ball during the Huskies’ senior day game against Hampton University Nov. 2. Read more here. (Evelynn Lin)Freshman forward Ty Francis (left) and junior guard JB Frankel (right) fight a BU player for the ball during the season opener Nov. 3. Read more here. (Molly McAlevey)
Aya Al-Zehhawi is a second-year English and Communication Studies combined major and deputy photo editor for The News. She has previously contributed as photo staff and is passionate about covering community events and projects. You can find her on Instagram at @ayaalze.
Chloe Craft is a third-year journalism and international affairs combined major and city editor for The News. She has previously been a staff writer and photographer. Her coverage has included the rise of the No Kings movement, advocacy for Ukraine in Boston, student activism for Palestine and more. You can follow her on X at @CraftJournalist.
Constantly with her camera, Margot Murphy is a fourth-year journalism major with a minor in psychology and photo editor of The News. From Peruvian sports stories to environmental portraits, Margot dives headfirst into the photojournalism scene. She can’t wait to hone her craft and experiment with photography styles while listening to “Last Son” by David Fleming for the nth time. You can find her on Instagram at @margs.murphy and @murph.photo.
Brian Daniels is a third-year computer science major and member of the News’ photo staff. He has covered everything from sports to concerts to local events. You can follow him on Instagram @BdanMedia.
Curtis DeSmith is a fifth-year media arts and communication studies major serving as audiovisual editor for The Huntington News. After two years supporting the photo department, he now focuses on video stories covering city events, music industry, social action and student life. Follow his work on Instagram @cdsmithphoto_.
Devyn Rudnick is the city editor of The News and a fourth-year journalism major with minors in political science and photography. She has written and photographed for The Huntington News since joining the Boston campus in 2024, reporting on municipal elections, protests, local businesses, housing costs, and more. She was also a hyperlocal city reporter on co-op for The Scope in fall 2025. You can follow her on Instagram at @devyn_rudnick.
Evelynn Lin is a second-year journalism and media & screen studies combined major. She has been with The News since joining the Boston campus in the fall of 2025 and is continuing her role as Deputy Photo Editor. She enjoys both writing about and photographing all kinds of events and has previously written stories about the campus and city community. You can follow her on Instagram at @eves._.fotos.
Molly McAlevey is a fourth-year psychology major with a sports media and communication minor. She specializes in Northeastern sports photography and plays on the Northeastern women’s rugby team. You can find more of her photography on Instagram @pics.bymolly.
