2025 Year in review

Waiting for an event to begin at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Photo: Pedro Pardo

2025 was a busy but fulfilling year. I travelled to fourteen countries that were new to me, revisited two of my favourites, photographed Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, all at once, learned to kite surf, had tea with the former Bhutanese foreign minister, went on my first safari and was very fortunate to see a whale shark while scuba diving in Koh Tao, Thailand. Further, I made a handful of images I am proud of and was privileged to be assigned to photograph challenging events I had never photographed before. In short, this year will be hard to beat. It was one of the best years for me both professionally and personally.

Senior citizens sit outside of US store Victoria’s Secret in Beijing, China, April 7, 2025.

I started off the year unconventionally. While most people spend the beginning of the year head to the grindstone, setting resolutions, I packed my bags and flew to the South Pacific, a region I had long desired to explore more fully, but never had the money to travel to extensively (let’s be honest, travelling to this part of the world is expensive). It was a dream. I went to Fiji to dive with sharks and unwind on the beach, then flew onwards to Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, and finally New Zealand. It was a relaxing few weeks of snorkelling and shore-diving in aqua blue water, but also an immersion into the local cultures at a comfortable pace. 

In Kiribati, I walked to North Tarawa from South Tarawa on dusty roads and rusty bridges; and poked my head into grocery stores to see what locals ate (the options aren’t great because it’s mostly imported, unhealthy processed food). I spent some days driving around Samoa’s tropical coastline and swimming in their unique sinkholes; and a few days enjoying the laid-back yet cosmopolitan Auckland atmosphere. Then it was time to go home.

Staff members look at their phones and pose for photos while on a break during the Two Sessions.

Back in Beijing, a trade war was brewing again between China and the United States. While it has never been boring to work as a journalist in China, now is a particularly interesting time to be in the nation, watching two superpowers interact publicly with each other.

In March, the annual Meeting of the Two Sessions (featuring all the leaders of China) took place and I experienced my first media dash where photographers and videographers sprint to get the best photo positions. This 6 am run is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. The actual news event starts at 9 am, but we wake up at 4 am to get to the venue by 5 am to line up in the cold, so that when the doors open at 6 am, we are in a good position to sprint the 300 metres or so (while carrying all of our gear) to be one of the first ones through the door, passing through security, to secure a good spot in the photo pit. There are dozens of international and local accredited media in the photo pit all clamouring for a prime spot, so it’s important to not end up in the back where visibility is worse (unless that is what you want).

I tell this story of my experience of working in China to other photojournalists who work in other countries and it makes them feel relieved they don’t have to do this run while covering major events. While I don’t enjoy this run particularly, I’m sure years from now, this will be one of the memories I look back at when I recall my first year working in China.

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Tony Blair, at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, in June.

I was fortunate to be able to travel a lot this year. In April, after recovering from photographing the Two Sessions and eighteen hour days photographing the World Athletics in Nanjing, I took a plane to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for some exploring. It was my first time in Central Asia and the trip answered a lot of the questions I had in my mind about the region. I liked the wide, open sidewalks that had few people walking on them, a direct contrast from the chaotic congestion that is Beijing. I tried a variety of different foods, walked around Bishkek and Almaty and went on a trek to the gorgeous Issyk Kul Canyons. I enjoyed the area so much, the next month, I went back to visit Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In June, I visited Chongqing, China, the world’s largest city, after being influenced by social media videos showing the many levels of the city, and wanting to see the “cyber punk” metropolis for myself. I ate lots of hot pot in a city famous for it, took in the buzzing night glow of Hongyadong, and explored the famous Kuixinglou Square, a confusing building that shows as the first floor on one side of the building, but the 22nd floor on the other side.

A press tour of the mostly automated NIO car factory in Hefei, China, April 22, 2025.

In July, I flew to Bhutan, staying in the rural mountain town of Paro, which oddly reminded me of a road trip I took in 2022 through the ranges of South Dakota, USA, rather than any other mountain town in Asia, except for maybe Vang Vieng, Laos. I spent my time in Bhutan eating momos, soaking in a hot stone bath and climbing the Tiger’s Nest, where coincidentally, I bumped into the former Foreign Minister who invited me for tea at the famous monastery and gave me a tour of the cave and view (the “real Tiger’s Nest”, as they call it) underneath the building, which is closed to the public. The next day, I visited the bustling city of Thimpu and the Taschichho Dzong. Then I flew to Thailand for a week.

In Bangkok, I took the time to walk the iconic and vibrant Khao San Road once again. The last time I was on that road, I was dreaming of and wishing for a photojournalism career I did not have, but now I do. It has not been easy to get to this point, but it was gratifying to stop and appreciate how far I’ve come. My life now is full of travel and meaningful work, both aspirations I’d envisioned for myself all those years ago. 

The Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, Bhutan, in July.

With that warm sentiment, I travelled to the islands down south, my favourite part of Thailand. Serendipity would follow. In Koh Tao, on my last dive of the trip, I saw a whale shark for the first time. The majestic creature swam above me but also in front of me. It was a poignant moment and I felt very lucky to be able to witness the shark, and to be in this season of my life, blessed with freedom, meaningful work and steadiness. I spent the rest of my time in Thailand in Phuket, eating Khao Soi, Pad Thai and curries.

The rest of my summer was spent in South Korea, where I did many of the things I did last time: Yakiniku and Korean BBQ, and shopping in Myeongdong and Hongdae. Different this time was a unique tour to the Demilitarized Military Zone by a photojournalist friend who showed me his favourite photo spots (off the highway) and also introduced me to cold bean noodles. 

A whale shark in Koh Tao, Thailand, in July.

Eventually, I made my way to Jeju Island via Mokpo, taking the passenger ferry among locals who sang karaoke in the many karaoke rooms onboard and rested in the unique carpeted group rooms with no seats (I have never seen these types of rooms before in all my travels) during the passage.

Jeju Island was idyllic. The island is quieter than Seoul and has beautiful black rock formations and seascapes. I spent my time hiking, seeing the tea museum and relaxing at Seogwipo beach, which has some of the brightest blue water I’ve ever seen, like the Carribean, except it was filled with Korean people on holiday with their blow-up donut floaties, fully covered head to toe in rashguards and hats for sun protection. At night, I ate banchan, ramen and fresh seafood.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre), Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (right) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025.

Back in China, around this time, while we were waiting for a press conference to begin and exchanging stories, a veteran photographer told me about the time he photographed Boris Yeltsin and Bill Clinton together. I wondered if I would ever get a chance to photograph a historic moment like that and the kinds of stories about my work I might tell a younger generation in a few years.

I got my opportunity to photograph that historic moment in September when I was assigned to be one of the correspondents covering Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Sino-Japanese War. We (the photographers) assembled our gear and went through the security checks hours before, spending most of our time waiting, while the actual moment with all three leaders appearing side by side was just a mere few seconds.

Couples pose for pre-wedding photos on May 20th or 520 day, which is a Valentine’s Day in China, because the pronunciation of ‘five two zero’ sounds similar to ‘I love you’ in Mandarin.

In the early fall, still in awe at seeing the whale shark in Thailand earlier in the year, I booked a trip to Timor Leste for the start of whale season, hoping to see a whale cross the Ombai-Wetar Strait when they migrate for winter. It was a little early in the season, and only four whales had crossed by that point. While luck was not on my side that time in terms of seeing what I had travelled to see, I still enjoyed a slower pace of moving through the day in Dili and on Atauro Island.

Camps Bay in Cape Town in November.

In October, I finally travelled to a destination I had long been trying to visit: South Africa. It was a magical time being in a beautiful place with a vastly different culture to ones I have previously experienced. I started my journey in Johannesburg and went on my first ever safari at Kruger National Park, spending my day driving around in a 4X4 under a blazing African sun, looking for animals in the wild. My nights were spent eating under moonlight while hyenas circled (we felt reasonably safe), and sleeping in a bush tent. Then I made quick stops in Maputo, Mozambique, where I had some of the best seafood of my life; and Mantenga, Eswatini, a place not typically on most travel agendas, but one that I am glad I travelled to, to further add to my knowledge about the Southern African region. Afterwards, it was onward to Shelly Beach, Durban and the mountains of the Sani Pass that were so easy on the eyes, in Lesotho.

It’s been a privilege to see for myself parts of the world that I had only previously learned about through movies and books and to listen to stories and perspectives from people who grew up with vastly different experiences. While driving through the different neighbourhoods and seeing who worked different types of jobs, it is clear apartheid had massive effects on the quality of lifestyles and outcomes for different people, even decades later.

Finally it was time for my last stop: Cape Town. I spent my time there climbing Table Mountain, learning how to kite surf and exploring the stunning city. I finally understood why so many people move there, with the sweeping mountain views along the coastline, abundant choices of dining options, the golden beach sunsets and the youthful energy coarsing through the city.

A performer sings in Chongqing, China, in June.

Though I spent much of this year travelling, I have also been enjoying Beijing and further settling into my life in China. I’ve developed routines and have recurring grocery and take-out orders. There’s a favourite noodle place in my neighbourhood I go to often, I’ve become friends with my neighbours in the hutong I live in and I’m relishing in deeper friendships with other expats who have also chosen to work in Beijing. My favourite thing to do on the weekend is order in dim sum, but I also adore going regularly for grilled oysters and tacos (not at the same time). I don’t think I will ever get used to the hectic chaos of the traffic but the convenience of having fresh groceries, food and other items delivered to my door quickly and relatively inexpensively is a consolation. 

Zebras in Kruger National Park, South Africa, in October.

It has been such a honour to work alongside and learn from so many experienced journalists and photojournalists this year. I am constantly in awe of their dedication, professionalism, intellect and craft. It is a good environment to be in and I feel like I am becoming a better photojournalist by osmosis and sheer proximity.

I am spending the end of the year relaxing at home in Toronto with my family and my cats. I have seen a lot, learned a ton, made a handful of images I am proud of and travelled far and wide this year. I know this year will be a hard one to beat because it was absolutely fantastic, but here’s hoping I haven’t peaked yet and that 2026 will get even better. I am looking forward to continuing to get better at covering news in challenging new situations and to more travel to exciting destinations. Thanks for following along on my journey this year!

People dressed in traditional clothing walk past a light display during the Lantern Festival in Beijing, China, February 12, 2025.

2024 Year in review

Earlier this year, I went to the Gobi Desert to photograph the Shenzhou-19, a rocket launched by China, carrying three astronauts into space. Photo: Michael Zhang

2024 was a year full of lots of change, new experiences and professional career achievements! I travelled to five new countries and moved twice this year.

I spent the beginning of the year preparing for my move to Hong Kong, a city I have always dreamed of living in. My family is from Hong Kong and growing up, I did not always fully appreciate the trips we took over there, but now as an adult, I recognize what an amazing city it always was and continues to develop into: rich with cultures, diversity and liveliness. All the locals I talk to say it’s not like “it once was”, meaning a lot has changed in the last few years but for me, as someone who has lived up until now entirely in the western world, I enjoyed a change in scenery and reporting on different topics not focused on in Canada.

The cable car on Lantau, Hong Kong. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to live and work in Hong Kong earlier this year. It is one of my favourite cities in the world.

I moved to Hong Kong because I wanted to do more international reporting and to achieve a life goal: living in Asia. I quickly settled into a pace of assignments and projects; making a life for myself outside of work, exploring Hong Kong through hikes outside the city and food around the island and territories. On non-assignment days, I enjoyed settling into my favourite coffee shop in Wan Chai while tackling some editing. At night, I took strolls around the Victoria Harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui, amongst the tourists. There was always a light, pleasant breeze near the water, and while the lights across the harbour of the skyline shone, I felt awe, excitement and a delicious sense of anonymity being in a city of 7.4 million people.

Muscat, Oman

In the spring, I found out I had been awarded my first grant to work on a photo project, so I flew back to Canada to start the photography. But before that, I took a trip to Muscat, Doha and Dhaka. I have not travelled extensively to the gulf previously so this trip was meant to be a short trip to familiarize myself with the culture and climate. In Muscat, I went boating with dolphins, walked around the old town and hung out at the beaches. In Doha, I explored the unique mishmash of architecture around the city and the delicious food in the Westbank. The city has a lot of nationalities living there (75%+ of the population are expats), so the food scene is diverse and well-developed to accommodate all of the preferences of the people living there. In Dhaka, I rode on a local bus, went to the Pink Palace and took long walks around the city with my camera.

A beach in Muscat, Oman

Back in Canada, it was summer again. A photojournalism group I volunteer with, Room Upfront, had just been accepted to exhibit at Nuit Blanche, in Toronto. Since high school, when I attended one of my first Nuit Blanche all-night art events, it had always been a dream of mine to one day participate as an artist in this event, so it was a dream come true to finally organize and exhibit at Nuit Blanche.

The Katara Towers in Doha, Qatar. I first saw these towers in a photograph a few years ago and have since been trying to visit Qatar to see them in person, which I finally got to do earlier this year!

I feel so fortunate to be a part of Room Upfront, a volunteer-run mentorship program for photographers of colour in Canada. I first joined as a mentee and during the last couple of years, I have been giving back as a mentor. After four years of knowing the photographers from this group virtually, we finally met up as a big group in person in Toronto this year. It was such a delight to chat in real life with people I have mostly only known through computer screens and social media. Usually, when a group of photojournalists meet, eventually the topic of conversation becomes heavy because of all the hits the news industry has taken in the past few years, but that night, the bar only buzzed with good energy.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

During this time, there was a little secret I was keeping to myself. I was planning to move to China but I couldn’t tell anyone because I was waiting for my work visa to come through. So I took a trip to Copenhagen, one of my favourite cities in the world. After a few blissful days of stuffing my face with mouth-watering food that is inexpensive in Europe but ridiculously overpriced in North America (cheese and cold cuts mostly), I went on a road trip with a friend. We took a ferry across the Baltic Sea and drove down to Berlin for a few days and then to Cologne and Wetzlar to see the Leica museum. I had not been back to this part of Europe since 2013 and it was interesting to see my feelings about these places have not changed in ten years. I still love Copenhagen and think Berlin is overrated.

The CCTV tower in Beijing, China, on assignment for EPA

On my way back to Canada, I took a quick trip to Baku and Yerevan. I enjoyed foods that were new to me and took in lots of stunning architecture, most notably the Heydar Aliyev Center.

When I got back to Toronto, my visa was approved. It was time to move to China.

The Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. I was trying to get a seat at a specific restaurant for omurice but they were full that night and the next night as well. I ended up with this photo instead.

I packed my belongings into suitcases, said goodbye to family and friends for the second time within a year and arrived in Beijing after a day of travel.

The Shenzhou-19 rocket launches near Jiaqian, China, October 30, 2024. Photo for EPA

I am still adjusting to life in China and have been fortunate to see some amazing things during my time here. I photographed my first international fashion show, my first world-class tennis competition and travelled to the Gobi desert to photograph a rocket launch. On days off, I travelled to the Great Wall of China, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, again. In the fall and winter, two of my photographs appeared in The New York Times, accomplishing another goal I had set early on in my career.

Maggie Ma, for China Fashion Week, in Beijing, China, on assignment for EPA

It’s been an exhilarating and full year overall filled with lots of travel, a diversity of photo projects and assignments; and also many new experiences. I have been lucky to witness so many varied events and places this year; and to be part of different communities. I look forward to a little break in the new year to rest and to do a little diving but other than that, I’m excited to continue to unravel the full experience of working as a foreign correspondent in China.

The Great Wall of China, near Beijing.

I owe a lot of thanks for all of the successes I’ve had this year. In no particular order: thanks to my editors for the assignments and opportunities. Thank you to the Nuit Blanche selection committee for picking our project, thank you to the New York Times’ photo editors for picking my photos, thank you to the grant selection committee for funding my project. Thank you to my Room Upfront community and my journalism peers for endless inspiration, keeping my mind nourished and for being my cheerleaders. A rising tide lifts all boats. Thanks for following along on my photo journey and I’ll see you next year!

Posing with camels in the Gobi Desert while on our way to one of the most packed media trips I have ever been on. Photo: Michael Zhang

Hello from China!

On assignment near a section of the Great Wall of China, the Jiayu Pass, in the Gobi Desert in October. Photo: Florence Lo

Some news! I have moved to Beijing, China, to work as a photographer for the wire, European Pressphoto Agency. It has been a long-time goal of mine to live and work in Asia. I finally realized this dream earlier this year when I moved to Hong Kong to work for various editorial publications and am excited to continue my journey in reporting on international news for such a reputable agency such as EPA.

2021 Year in review

After an assignment for The Winnipeg Free Press at the St. Vital Park in Winnipeg, I posed for a photo in front of a backdrop photographer Mikaela MacKenzie and I had set up. Photo by Mikaela MacKenzie

I started January 2021 at home, with lots of hope that the world would soon return to normal with the arrival of vaccines. I had made goals of travelling later in the year to make up for 2020. I did end up travelling a little, but not in the way I expected. 

This year, I worked with lots of amazing editors and was fortunate enough to publish stories which really interested me. I also was lucky enough to accomplish two long-awaited career goals. Part of my photo project Targets of Hate was published in National Geographic, in an online article about racism against Asians; and after years of wondering when and if I would photograph the Prime Minister, I was finally was sent to photograph Justin Trudeau.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is photographed amongst local Liberal Party Members of Parliament candidates at Blue Note Park in Winnipeg on September 19, 2021, the night before the federal election. The Liberals’ federal PR team is well-versed in making the best impression. There were plenty of bright lights set up at the event, so that the PM and the candidates could be photographed well-lit.

The big news for my year would be Winnipeg though. In August, I moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to start a staff job as a photographer at the Winnipeg Free Press, the region’s largest daily paper. I packed up my life and my two cats and drove us all west on a three-day road trip through Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and small Northern Ontario towns. It was beautiful and brought back memories of pre-pandemic life when I would drive all over the U.S., stopping in all the towns I knew by name but had never actually travelled to.

But before that, I enjoyed summer in Toronto, fortunate to be photographing “boat life” and exploring alternative housing options in Toronto for Toronto Life Magazine. I spent many days on the Toronto Islands on what started as a personal project, and it was pure bliss. I also documented several protests related to housing and witnessed strong community action and brutal shows of police force.

Protestors gather February 28, 2021 below the residence of Toronto Mayor John Tory to serve a cardboard cut-out of Tory with notices of action to drop a lawsuit against a local carpenter who built tiny shelters for the unhoused; create housing for the unhoused; and to repeal by-laws that prevent people from camping in parks.

Karyna and Francois pose for a photo in their boat home, docked in Mimico, where they live year round.

Charlie lowers the ladder on her boat home, which is docked at the Toronto Islands. She and her partner Sia live on the boat for six months each year during the summer.

Talia and Michel pose for a photo on their boat home, which is docked at a marina near Harbourfront. They live year round on their boat.

Sia and Charlie pose for a photo on their boat home which is docked at the Toronto Islands. They live on their boat for six months out of the year.

Though this year did not go quite the way I expected, all in all, I am very grateful to have been able to make all the work that I did this year. Here are a few other images I made this year that capture my 2021:

After the horrifying violence against Asian spa workers in Atlanta in early March, thousands protested and spoke up in cities around the world including Toronto.

Ontario Tech chancellor Mitch Frazer, photographed for The Globe and Mail.

Soon after moving to Winnipeg, on the second day of working at the Winnipeg Free Press, my editor sent me to photograph a rally against vaccine mandates.

Dr. Eric Bohm, a surgeon, is photographed outside Concordia Hospital. Bohm says he would like to do more surgeries amidst a growing waitlist of patients but because of a provincial budget cap, he and other surgeons are not allowed.

Elder Wa Wa Tai Ikwe (Northern Lights Woman) of the Bear Clan, also known as Louise McKay, is photographed at St. Vital Park.

Margaret Swan, a senior political advisor at Southern Chief’s Organization, acting director of Child and Family Services and chairwoman of the board of Southern First Nations Network of Care.

Conservative party MP candidate Joyce Bateman is photographed in her home office before elections.

Liberal MP Terry Duguid is photographed on election night after winning his riding of Winnipeg South.

Chris Tacan with his horse Prince during a rest stop with the Sioux Valley Dakota Unity Riders.

Travis Mazawasicuna tends to his horses at the end of a ride with the Sioux Valley Dakota Unity Riders.

The Sioux Valley Dakota Unity Riders ride to bring awareness to issues affecting Indigenous people and to connect with their ancestors.

Polar bears play in snow in Churchill, Manitoba.

An electric tundra buggy travels in Churchill, Manitoba.

Bombers player Zach Collaros emerges from smoke, holding the Grey Cup.

Bombers player Rasheed Bailey flexes some muscle at an event at IG Field, celebrating the team’s Grey Cup win.

Bombers player Mike Benson holds his son during a celebration of the Bombers’ Grey Cup win. The Bombers kickers celebrate behind him.

Santa walks past a discarded mask on December 22, 2021.

2021 was definitely an improvement to 2020 for me and I created some of my strongest work this year. I am so grateful to all of the editors who hired me and gave me opportunities to prove myself. I know I am fortunate that I get to photograph for a living and am thankful every day. I’m hoping that 2022 will finally be the year that we can travel more freely and gather without restrictions. In any case, we made it to the end of 2021. That deserves some celebration. Thanks for reading. See you in 2022!

The only time I got on a plane this year was to go to Churchill, Manitoba, to photograph some polar bears and an electric tundra buggy for The Winnipeg Free Press. Never in a million years would I have predicted this trip at the start of 2021.