Photos have the power to tell an inspiring story in an instant. The most inspiring photos reveal something authentic — transcending cultural boundaries, sparking the collective imagination and moving people to action.
Arete is the expert storytelling and training agency for NGOs, UN bodies and foundations. Inspiring change through storytelling is at the heart of what we do.
Last month, we invited our community to submit their most inspiring photos from 2024. For our final blog of the year, we are pleased to present the winning photos, along with commentary from Arete Director and award-winning photojournalist, Kate Holt, who led the judging panel. May they inspire you towards a hopeful new year.
Kate Holt:
‘An inspiring image should evoke a positive emotional response from the viewer. There are several ways a photograph can do this.
The way a photograph is taken using lighting techniques that create a sense of harmony can prompt nostalgia. An image that displays a sense of affection, love or calm can also inspire one towards achieving these emotions.
The winning image we chose does the latter — it displays an overwhelming sense of love between a mother and her son. At the same time, it exudes immense joy and happiness. This combination leaves a lasting impression on the viewer, resonating long after first seeing it.’
First Place: Andrea Guiduzzi
Andrea Guiuzzi:
I chose this photo because I believe it represents beauty in all its forms: closeness between mother and son, affection, intimacy, understanding, amusement, delight… and an authentic kiss.
A hot and humid afternoon in Bangkok, Chongrak invites me for tea. We sit by a stagnant canal with his mother, chatting and laughing, when his mother, a 79-year-old, good natured, polite and placid woman rapidly starts peeling shrimps and vegetables. Silently I look at her, completely absorbed by her vitality. Her name is Hom, which means “fragrance” in English. Chongkrak translated her words:
“I was born in a small village in the centre of Thailand, in a family of rice farmers. We did not have our own rice fields; instead, we had to rent from landlords in order to engage in production. The fields we rented originally belonged to us, but we had to sell them to pay off our debts.”
“I got married to Chongkrak’s father when I was 19 years old and moved to Bangkok, looking for a better life.”
We share a plate of Sen Yai, flat Thai noodles with vegetables, shrimps, eggs and tofu. Silently, we eat, observing the tranquil sun going down behind the buildings in front of us.
Rice farmers make up the majority of farmers in Thailand. Out of 5.6 million farming families in the country, 66% are rice farmers. Thailand’s income from rice exports amounts to 80–100 billion baht per year, but rice farmers receive almost no benefit from producing rice for export. What rice farmers do receive are the negative consequences on their families, such as indebtedness and the loss of their land for production to wealthy businesspeople. For those rice farmers who still have their own production land left, the pattern of production for rice produced for export does not yield enough income to make production worthwhile and thereby leads to continually higher levels of debt.
Second Place: Amy MacGregor
Kate Holt:
‘The second image we chose displays an extraordinary sense of peace between two friends and a dog. It inspires a sense of wholeness and calm to the viewer.’
Amy MacGregor:
My favourite inspiring photo, ‘Company’, was taken in Purmamarca, Argentina.
During my first visit to Argentina on a road trip in the North — in cities, towns and rural areas — I kept noticing people sitting in pairs or small groups outside, often not speaking to one another. Coming from the UK, where life moves at a faster pace, this was an odd phenomenon to see, so I asked my Argentinian partner if it was normal and what they were doing. He told me that it was very normal for Argentines to meet up, find somewhere to sit and be together, without much planned. I began to notice it even more afterwards — that everywhere we went — people just wanted to spend time together, whether it be sitting around playing music together, playing football, or in many instances to do nothing more than share a mate or enjoy the sun — people were together.
It seems something very simple, but a concept that I personally found to be inspiring. Coming from a small family, and quite a reserved but fast culture, I saw an enormous amount of beauty in the way the Argentines viewed one another and the way they view life, without pressure to perform or ‘do’, but just to exist and enjoy one another. In a world that is becoming more and more complicated, I am inspired by the Argentines, to simply enjoy the world around us and the beings that come with it. I think these two men and their dog in Purmamarca depict that pretty well!
Third Place: Tatenda Brighton Mapigoti
Kate Holt:
‘This image is all about the light! One first sees the beauty of nature — a sunset over water with a fisherman calmly pushing his way forward. However, there is also an underlying sense of danger, created by the knowledge of the location — a river teaming with crocodiles.
The viewer is inspired by the fisherman and his stoic reserve set against a memorable backdrop.’
Tatenda Brighton Mapigoti:
For me, an inspirational photograph encapsulates the power to navigate through crises and extend a helping hand to others. It embodies the inner strength to confront the world’s challenges fearlessly.
This image portrays a fisherman navigating the Zambezi River, teeming with crocodiles, hippos, and other wildlife. Despite the dangers, he bravely catches fish to support his family, selling his catch to the locals.
Thank you to all of the entrants in our photo contest. Your work showcases the fact that, in media, often dominated by negative narratives, stories of human resilience and hope have the power to shine through and inspire.
As 2024 draws to a close, Arete would like to thank everyone we have worked with this year. We look forward to working with you in 2025 — telling stories that make a difference and inspire change.
