2025 Feature Picture Story
First Place: Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Balancing nursing school and caring for her mother with dementia around the clock, 34-year-old Samantha Kortenhoeven perseveres and longs for a better road ahead. Despite the difficult relationship with her mother and healing from past traumas, Samantha is determined to graduate and build a future for herself. Caption: Samantha Kortenhoeven smokes a cigarette in her car before her practicum night shift on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in the Frankfort Regional Medical Center parking lot in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The practicum was a requirement for her nursing degree that she was pursuing at Bluegrass Community & Technical College.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven helps her mother, Bobby Stephens, put on her jacket on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in their home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Stephens battles diabetes and dementia, both requiring hands-on help from her daughter. I started noticing subtle changes with her, like she'd leave the damn stove on and little things that she never used to forget, Kortenhoeven said.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven helps her mother, Bobby Stephens, prick her finger on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, on their back porch in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The nursing never stops, Kortenhoeven said after getting home from a night shift at the hospital. Kortenhoeven ensures her mother writes down her daily sugar intake in the journal.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven takes a break from talking with her mother while drinking a cup of coffee on her back porch on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at her home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. I didn't think I could do it when they first diagnosed her. I was scared shitless, Kortenhoeven said.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven brings a cup of milk to her mother, Bobby Stephens, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at their home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. I've learned all these diseases that she has, so then I've just watched her digress slowly over time and telling her you're killing yourself when you eat that. You're genuinely hurting yourself. It's not safe anymore, Kortenhoeven said.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven draws a smiley face in the condensation of her breath on her front door on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at her home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Honestly, the thought of never needing another person again is the goal. I've always had a guy there. Ive always thought that the only way to be happy is to be with a guy. Kortenhoeven hopes that leaving her mother and moving away will help her find happiness.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven cries while smoking a cigarette Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, on her back porch in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. I can't even say how many times I'm ready to be done and then I've got this overwhelming, gut-wrenching feeling of just as soon as I leave, she's not going to care, and she's just going to fade, Kortenhoeven said, referring to her mothers health when she moves out.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven puts her hair up before a bath on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in her bedroom in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Kortenhoeven said the clover tattoo is for love. I dont need luck, Im never gonna get it, but Im always gonna have love.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven hits her vape in her bathtub on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at her home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Kortenhoeven has little time to herself, and the care she does show herself is in the form of a bubble bath while listening to My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven and her mother, Bobby Stephens, laugh on their back porch on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at their home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Stephens had to take care of her mother with dementia and doesnt want Kortenhoeven to have the same life. I dont want her to stay and take care of me, Stephens said. She needs to live her life.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven passes a cigarette to her mother, Bobby Stephens, on their back porch on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at their home in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It's been challenging to love each other, but we've loved each other through it, Kortenhoeven said. Im the only sounding board she has.
Abbey Cutrer
First Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Samantha Kortenhoeven walks toward the auditorium door to graduate from nursing school on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Anderson County High School in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Kortenhoeven graduated with a degree in applied sciences. She plans to move to Massachusetts and work as a nurse there, leaving her mother in Kentucky. Im excited. Proud of myself and ready to be done. I can't even say how many times I'm ready to be done.
Abbey Cutrer
Second Place: Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims slog for days under a punishing sun through country roads, sandy paths, even a river ford to reach the tiny hamlet of El Roco in southern Spain for Pentecost weekend. An icon of the Virgin Mary La Virgen del Roco has been venerated in this remote area since the Middle Ages.Today, dressed in their finest but caked in dust and sweat, crowds jostle to be the first to pray and sing sevillanas flamenco songs before Mary in the white sanctuary by the wetlands where wild horses and flamingos roam. On the multi-day journey by foot, horseback or ox-driven cart, and in the houses that line the streets of the village, theres a lot of partying, drinking, music and laughter. But there are also solemn vows, hushed worship services, tears of thanksgiving by flickering candlelight. The pinnacle of the pilgrimage is the procession of the icon of the Virgin Mary in the overnight hours between Pentecost Sunday and Monday. Crowds jostle to reach the gold-covered image of Mary looking down at an infant Jesus in her lap, which is then carried through the sand streets and plazas to visit each brotherhood house. Pilgrims ride through dusty terrain, on their way to the shrine of El Rocio near Aznalczar, Spain, on Friday, June 6, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which hundreds of thousands of devotees of the Virgin del Rocio converge in and around the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims walk through dusty terrain near Aznalcazar, Spain, during the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio, that draws hundreds of thousands of faithful, Friday, June 6, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims stand on the shore of the Quema River near Aznalcazar, Spain, a crucial point in the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio that draws hundreds of thousands of faithful, Friday, June 6, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims walk through dusty terrain near Aznalcazar, Spain, during the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio, that draws hundreds of thousands of faithful, Friday, June 6, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims light candles at the shrine of El Rocio near Aznalcazar, Spain, during the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio, Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims cross the Quema River on their way to the shrine of El Rocio near Aznalcazar, Spain, Thursday, June 5, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which devoteesof the Virgin del Rocio converge at the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A pilgrim hugs a priest during mass on their way to the shrine of El Rocio near Aznalczar, Spain, on Thursday June 5, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which hundreds of thousands of devotees of the Virgin del Rocio converge in and around the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims gather during the procession of the Virgin of El Rocio in the village of El Rocio, near Almonte in southern Spain, Monday, June 9, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which devotees of the Virgin converge on the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims walk next to the shrine of El Rocio near Aznalczar, Spain, on Saturday June 7, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which hundreds of thousands of devotees of the Virgin del Rocio converge in and around the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A tattoo of the Virgin of El Rocio covers the back of Paloma Maria, a pilgrim from Cordoba, who crosses the Quema River near Aznalcazar, Spain, a crucial point in the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio, Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims carry the Virgin of El Rocio during a procession in the village of El Rocio, near Almonte in southern Spain, on June 9, 2025, during the annual pilgrimage in which hundreds of thousands of devotees of the Virgin del Rocio converge in and around the shrine.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Second Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pilgrims dance Sevillanas in a home in El Rocio village, near Aznalcazar, Spain, during the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio that draws hundreds of thousands of faithful, Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Emilio Morenatti / Associated Press
Third Place: Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A man walks through mud in the center of Paiporta, the town most affected by the flood that devastated the south of Valencia, Spain, on October 29, 2024. On October 29th, the region of Valencia was hit by the worst floods of the century in Spain: over 220 people died due to flash floods caused by torrential rains, and dozens of towns were left completely destroyed. At the epicenter of this disaster was Paiporta, a town with just over 27,000 inhabitants, which was devastated by a mudslide that swept everything away. In the days and weeks that followed, the town became a symbol of the catastrophe. As time passed, the interiors of homes were gradually cleared of mud thanks to the efforts of local residents, many still in shock, and thousands of volunteers who traveled to the town from all over Spain. But the amount of mud that covered the streets was so massive that it seemed endless. Furniture, clothing, paintings, appliances, documents, toyseverything inside the homes ended up in the public space. Everything was ruined. The objects that once filled the homes now lay on the street, waiting to be hauled off to a landfill. The mark of the flood was evident across Paiporta like a scar, measuring the scale of the disaster. Inside buildings, a line marked the height the water had reached. The smell grew more intense by the day. Authorities recommended wearing masks due to the health risks posed by the mud, standing water, and dust in the air. The streets of Paiporta were gradually changing. Every day something shiftedsometimes only a little, sometimes more noticeablybut always with much effort behind it. The situation was one of emergency, but that didnt stop lingering questions: Why did the forecasted rains have such devastating effects? What was different this time? Why did no one arrive in time to prevent the catastrophe?
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Ivn, a 23-year-old from Valencia, cleans alongside several friends the house of a man hospitalized during the flood, in Paiporta's old town.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Agustina Zahonero del Ro, 61, and Gema, 32, her eldest daughter, embrace in front of Agustina's house in Paiporta. By the time the regional government of Valencia issued a flood alert, Agustina was already clinging to the ceiling lamp of her living room. The water reached nearly three meters inside her home, and both Agustina and Ana, 26, her youngest daughter, were floating in the darkness, being struck by objects swept in and out by the current. It wasnt until the early hours of the morning that a neighbor broke a hole in the wall with a hammer, allowing them to climb up to the home of the neighbor upstairs.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A man walks through the mud on a central Paiporta street. The old town of Paiporta was one of the areas most affected due to the proximity of the Poyo ravine, which channelled the flood, and the abundance of single-storey houses, where many elderly people live.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Mnica Fernando retrieves belongings from the storage room of her familys hair salon, severely affected by the flood, in the center of Paiporta.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Volunteers clean the streets of Paiporta on November 2, 2024. In the days and weeks following the devastating floods thousands of people volunteered to help residents in the affected towns.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
The kitchen of Paco and Teresa, aged 91 and 90, after their family and volunteers cleared the mud from their home on Convent Street in central Paiporta.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Pablo Mendoza, a 21-year-old biology student from Cdiz (south Spain) studying in Valencia, rests on the mud at the end of a workday after helping clean the flood-ravaged streets of Paiporta for six consecutive days, in Sant Josep Street, one of the most affected areas, November 4, 2024.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
The seats of the Banda Primitiva de Paiporta auditorium remain stained with mud carried by the floodwaters, 24 days after the disaster, November 23, 2024. On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 29th heavy rains started to fall across Spains south and eastern provinces. The rapid and torrential downpour affected 78 municipalities including towns in Andalusia, Murcia and Castilla La Mancha, but it was the Valencia region that bore the brunt.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A girl carries buckets full of muddy water on Sant Roc street in Paiporta, the town most affected by the flood that devastated the south of Valencia, Spain, on October 29, 2024, eight days after the disaster.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
The water reached over three meters in height inside the atelier of Mara Carmen Martnez and Jos Galarzo, located just a few meters from the Poyo ravine, which channeled the October 29 flood. The space hosted ceramic, drawing, and painting classes before the flood destroyed it.
Santi Palacios
Third Place - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Dozens of cars destroyed by the flood remain piled up on the outskirts of Paiporta, November 16, 2024. Spanish authorities estimate that over 120.000 vehicles were damaged by the floods.
Santi Palacios
Honorable Mention: Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
This year marks the 70th anniversary of actor, James Dean death. Despite only appeared in three movies, two of which were released following his passing, he went on to become a symbol of defiance and rebellion. Born and raised in rural Indiana, Dean is still remembered by family and fans in his home state. Each year the town of Fairmount, IN hosts a festival honoring their native son. Fans also remember him at the fatal crash site in California that took his life at 24. Collin Elliott, 20, wearing a cowboy hat at right, walks in the grand parade with others representing Rockin Robyns 50s Pinup Makeovers during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Fairmount is the hometown of James Dean. He gained fame by appearing in three movies, including Rebel Without a Cause.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Corrine Berkshire fixes the hair of Evelyn Mummey, 13, at Rockin Robyns 50s Pinup Makeovers booth during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Fairmount is the hometown of James Dean.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Mike Gross, a James Dean look-alike is seen at James Dean Gallery during the James Dean Festival on Thursday September 25, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Gross, who is from Boston, MA, has portrayed Dean for many years.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A vintage vehicle arrives for the James Dean Run car show at Play Acres Park during the James Dean Festival on Friday September 26, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Fairmount is the hometown of James Dean.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Dressed as James Dean, Cash Croy, 14, takes part in the Little James Dean Look-Alike Contest during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Cash won the contest.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
People gather at the Palace Bar during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. The building used to house a movie theater that James Dean used to frequent.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Fog shrouds a cutout of James Dean at Park Cemetery, where he is buried on Friday September 26, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Dean grew up with his aunt and uncle on a farm just down the road from the cemetery.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Velvet Zorn, left, and Callie Cox, second from left, gather with others to walk in the grand parade representing Rockin Robyns 50s Pinup Makeovers during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Fairmount is the hometown of James Dean.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Seth Martin and Sarina Jones of Michigan take part in the 50s Dance Contest during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Seth and Sarina won first place.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Mike Gross is seen after taking part in the World Famous James Dean Look-Alike Contest during the James Dean Festival on Saturday September 27, 2025 in Fairmount, IN. Gross, who won last year came in second this year. He had previously won the contest several years.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A makeshift memorial to James Dean is seen not far from the site of his fatal crash as seen on Monday September 29, 2025 in Cholame, CA. James Dean died in a car crash in Cholame in 1955. He gained fame by appearing in three movies, including Rebel Without a Cause. September 30th marked the 70th anniversary of his death.
Matt McClain / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention: Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. Even if it meant walking down a flooded one. The Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines, flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Wipha had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, bringing widespread flooding. The couple anticipated the risk of flooding, but instead of letting the weather dampen the mood, they decided to push through, as all marriages have their challenges. Bride Jamaica Agular prepares to enter the flooded Barasoain church for her wedding in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Wedding guests walk inside the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Bride Jamaica Agular walks down the aisle during her wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Bride Jamaica Aguilar, left, arranges her gown beside barefoot groom Jade Rick Verdillo, second from right, during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Guests attend a wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
A wedding guest holds a flower during a wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Guests leave their shoes on a pew during a wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Bridemaids attend a wedding ceremony at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica sit for their wedding ceremony at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Groomsmen and guests stand knee deep in floodwaters wearing the traditional barong tagalog at Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2025 Feature Picture Story
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo, center, and Jamaica pose with a kiss as guests cheer at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Aaron Favila / Associated Press