2025 in pictures: ASU photographers share some of their favorite moments of the year
The ASU mascot, Sparky, pops out of the cockpit of a KC-135R Stratotanker, where the 161st Air Refueling Wing honored the Sun Devil spirit with custom nose art. The aircraft supports U.S. airborne military operations around the globe. Photo by Charlie Leight, ASU News senior photographer
From football games to lab work to graduation, our photographers in Media Relations and Strategic Communications see it all throughout the course of the year.
So we wanted to know — what were their favorite assignments?
Here's a look at the varied work from three of our in-house creatives and why these particular assignments were so fun to shoot.
Emma Fitzgerald, student photographer
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Olivia Alejandro (left) sees herself on a TV screen while journalism student Rei Tedoco shows her how the green screen works in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication studio during ASU Open Door on the Downtown Phoenix campus.
"This is one of my favorite moments I have ever captured. Olivia was intrigued by the green screen, so I handed her the green cloth, and her reaction, as captured in the photo, made my day."
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A view of water splashing in the studio.
"This was from a really fun — and wet — studio project. We dropped numerous ice cubes in different containers of water, and this was one of my favorite shots I got."
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A view of a Deca wafer in the studio.
"Taking photos of different wafers in the studio was a fun project. I loved how they reflected light from different angles. This one stood out to me because the wafer looked like it was glowing."
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Fourth-year biochemistry student Anika Li poses for a photo during a shoot for the CryoVeritas startup at Biodesign B on the Tempe campus.
"This photo from a lab photoshoot is a favorite of mine because of the leading lines throughout and her smile as she works."
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A view of people walking in front of the Memorial Union on ASU's Tempe campus.
"I liked this photo because of how there is movement and shows active life campus."
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Sociology student Ramero Russell poses with his custom ASU shoes for a photo in the studio.
"Ramero's photoshoot was so much fun and his vibrant personality came through in his photos. I like the contrast in this photo as well as how he is showing off his custom ASU shoes."
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Arizona State running back Raleek Brown (3) prays before the ASU vs. UA Territorial Cup game on Nov. 28.
"I just love everything about this photo. I love how still it feels in such an energetic moment. I also love the low angle and how the smoke highlights behind the player."
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From left: Lewis Calamity IV, Cade Duncan and Audrina Calamity smile as they watch the ASU vs. NAU football game.
"I have a soft spot for this photo because of the natural smiles they each have. I was so excited when I was able to capture this candid moment."
Sam Chow, multimedia specialist
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ASU redshirt junior defensive lineman Clayton Smith (10) pushes a University of Texas at Austin player out of bounds as Head Coach Kenny Dillingham and the ASU football team watch from the sideline during overtime in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 1, 2025.
"I love the anticipation of everyone on the sideline leaning in."
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From left: film and media production student Rina Lee, fashion and business management student Gisselle Velasco and fashion and business management student Lexie Gomez walk down the historic Broadway Theatre District at night in Los Angeles on March 19, 2025.
"All of the lights made for a great background to showcase student life in a vibrant city."
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ASU process engineer principal Robert Naujokaitis makes adjustments to a machine in a clean room at the ASU MacroTechnology Works Building in Tempe on July 28, 2025.
"Typically the backside of this machine is closed; however, because it was being moved, I was able to capture a unique angle."
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ASU environmental life sciences PhD candidate Kayla Burgher examines a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle after rescuing it from a pound net off the coast of Harkers Island, North Carolina, on Aug. 1, 2025. The Senko Lab for Marine Megafauna and Fisheries Conservation at ASU is working to reduce the bycatch of turtles using solar power lights.
"Jesse Senko and his team of student researchers have such a deep appreciation and care for sea turtles and the fishing industry. I really feel like that comes through in this photo."
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Lightning strikes over Tempe Town Lake in Tempe on Aug. 21, 2025.
"I’d been wanting to get lightning photos in Tempe, but storms move fast and I don’t live in the city. I’d been watching a storm develop and made a call to go for it — luckily it paid off!"
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ASU women’s golf Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye poses for a portrait in studio on Aug. 26, 2025.
"Missy has such a bright personality and beautiful outlook on life. It was fun to be able to reflect that in the colors and lighting."
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ASU sports business student and Army ROTC member Zachary Swiney walks through the Tempe Healing Field on Sept. 11, 2025, after helping plant nearly 3,000 U.S. flags, one to represent each life lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"This is an annual event but my first time photographing it. There’s a lot of moving parts to get it set up, but once it’s done, there’s a beautiful moment of silence as the sunrise peaks through."
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Fall 2025 graduates pose for a composite photo, taken on multiple dates. (Photographed with assistance from Deanna Dent, assistant creative director for social media, and post-production design by Chad Musch, graphic design specialist.)
"This project involved just about our entire Viscomm team — from designing the box to hauling practically an entire studio to Durham hall, it was truly a team effort.
Charlie Leight, senior photographer
"Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of photographing around 120 stories for ASU News and submitting more than 1,850 images for publication. With each photo, I aim to go beyond just capturing a 'decisive moment.' I try to depict people caring for each other and their future, reflecting an aspect of living a meaningful life. Through my lens, I seek to portray the quiet strength of compassion, resiliency and connection that allow us to be included in the Arizona State community.
"These photographs are more than highlights; they are visual narratives of compassion, resilience and connection, reminding us of the values that shape our society."
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President Michael Crow gives each student a tomato in his PAF 547: Science, Technology, and Public Affairs class on the first day of the spring semester to illustrate how to analyze the technological evolution of the fruit — examining its origins in terms of economic, ecological, sustainable and flavor profiles, as well as its engineering for production and distribution.
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Akayla T. Weathers, who plays Little One in the play “Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea” by Julia Izumi, rejoices as the rain and flooding end during dress rehearsal. The play is a loose adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” featuring a rain cloud who falls in love with a human and explores the struggles of unrequited love.
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Graduating astrobiology senior Kiera Charley prepares to defend her Barrett, The Honors College thesis, "A Direct Imaging Search for Substellar Companions around B&A Stars," while her mother, Erika Begay, sits across the table.
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Sun Devil quarterback Sam Leavitt prepares to start an interview with TNT Sports on the first day of the Big 12 Media Days at the Dallas Cowboys training facility in Frisco, Texas. Leavitt, who started the season as a Heisman Trophy hopeful, ended up suffering a season-ending foot injury.
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Nine-year-old Clara Varnum is pictured with her father, Professor Michael Varnum, for a story on their study on lucid dreaming.
"Varnum was talking with her father on the way to school when they started talking about lucid dreams. The conversation led to a published co-authored research study that examined the links between personality traits — such as openness, vivid imagination and curiosity — and the frequency of lucid dreaming."
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Makaela Ross gently interacts with a few of the 35 African penguins in a colony at OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale. She started working at the aquarium complex as an intern and was soon promoted to an animal care specialist. Ross uses her neuroscience training to understand the connections between the birds for behavioral conditioning. Read our story about her work.
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Retired Army veteran Jessica Lynch shares a moment with Percy Piestewa after talking about her experiences from the Iraq War. Lynch was the first American prisoner of war rescued alive since World War II. She had a close friendship with Piestewa's daughter, fellow soldier Lori Piestewa — who was the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military — and maintains a relationship with the Piestewa family.
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Assistant Professor of dance Amanda Pintore (front) and dancer/researcher Olivia Herneddo perform “Red,” a creative story told through dance that features a pair of red sweaters connected by a 17-foot-long sleeve and is designed for young children and their families.
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Sparky pokes out of the cockpit of one of the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft, where members of the 161st Air Refueling Wing have honored the ASU mascot with a depiction of its face on the nose of the jet, which supports U.S. airborne military operations worldwide.
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Recent sustainability graduate Brennan Campbell has his hand licked by one of the goats he’s tending in the goat corral at Maya’s Farm in south Phoenix.
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Princess Benally (left) beams after her mentor, former Assistant Professor Amanda Tachine, placed her doctoral hood on her for earning an education degree. Both women are members of the Navajo Nation.
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Theresa Zimm, who earned a master's degree in teaching English to other languages, snaps a selfie with the spark towers at the conclusion of Graduate Commencement.
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