Photographers reveal their perfect moments of 2025

As we head towards 2026, it is a time to reflect on the year that's about to end.

BBC News has again asked several West Midlands photographers for their favourite image from the past 12 months.

They all post photographs on BBC Weather Watchers and Instagram, where BBC accounts publish photos and videos.

More than 105,000 people follow BBC Birmingham and there are profiles for BBC Black Country, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Shropshire and BBC Stoke & Staffordshire.

"This leaping roe deer might be my favourite wildlife photo of the year, especially as I missed an opportunity for a 'deer in flight' shot an hour earlier, so was extra pleased when another opportunity presented itself," said Balsall Common photographer Luke Bennett.

"By this point, the low evening sun made for much nicer illumination on my subject, too. It's always a pleasure to spend some time in the company of wildlife and to get away from the less peaceful aspects of modern life."

"The one I have elected is Chesterton Windmill in Warwickshire," said Knowle photographer Damien Walmsley.

"After several years of no sails, it is so good to be able to see the building restored to its full glory."

A conservation team finished the installation after spending five days at the site, near Royal Leamington Spa, in March.

"I took this image of Coventry Canal Basin back in January," said Coventry photographer Mark Pemberton.

"It was an icy cold evening and the water was frozen, the people in the photo and the statues to the left all reflected in the icy water.

"The photograph has an almost impressionist feel to it. I had just lost my dad in December and it was definitely a time for reflection."

"As a nature photographer a huge amount of my pictures are taken in my favourite place, Sutton Park," said Sutton Coldfield photographer Alison Matthews.

"Our fabulous park gives me endless inspiration as well as great exercise and wonderful moments of mindfulness. Depending on the season, I can be found hunting ponies, rummaging around the forest floor for fungi or gazing at the changing sky.

"I sat and quietly contemplated the universe as the sunset put on a beautiful display in front of me. It is the simple things in life that can give the most pleasure when you take the time to stop and look."

"Many people in Worcester will remember this image as part of the Worcester Bridges of Light Festival at the end of October," said Bransford photographer Lynne Falconer.

"It had been raining during the day, and I was in two minds whether to go and trudge around Worcester in the wet - or not. Well, the rain held off, and the clear air and reflections showed off this moving spectacle to great acclaim. So I joined the crowds to enjoy the evening show."

"This photo, taken on a country lane near Gnosall, is my absolute favourite," says Staffordshire photographer Serena Gough.

"It captures a perfect misty morning. The air was soft, and the mist rolling over the fields in the distance made everything look calm and dreamy.

"I love how the sunrise colours are caught in the sky - shades of gold and orange that paint the whole scene. It wasn't a bright, harsh light, it was gentle and warm."

"After the wet autumn of 2024 and the wetness of winter in 2025, it was such a joy in the spring to just step out of my back door in Shropshire to be welcomed by the sun, the blue sky and the cherry tree in full blossom on my driveway," said Rushbury photographer Peter Steggles.

"No planning for this one, just a shot to show the wonders of spring."

"The Clent Hills are a place where landscape, history, and serenity come together in a way that feels almost timeless," said Worcestershire photographer Simon Beckett.

"Rising gently above the surrounding countryside, they offer sweeping views that can take you by surprise, the kind of vistas where patchwork fields, distant church spires, follies and rolling ridgelines unfold beneath wide, everchanging skies.

"With the lure of the city far in the distance, a reminder that both Birmingham and the Black Country's industrial past isn't that far away and how Clent offers a calm respite from busy city life."

"Where I live I'm surrounded by countryside and it's a short walk to the Grand Union Canal at Bascote - that's where most of my photography takes place on my daily dog walk with Poppy," said Warwickshire photographer Josie Weller.

"No two days on the canal are ever the same because of the changing seasons, weather, narrowboaters and frequent wildlife encounters. This photo was very unexpected as when I left home it was a dull, grey morning - then the sun broke through, the light changed and with the autumnal colours it became a lot more atmospheric."

"My photography, this last year, has definitely had more of a wildlife focus. I still love taking landscape images, but there is something about being outside in the fresh air and peace and quiet, watching our remarkable wildlife in their natural habitats, that is quite special," said Kingswinford photographer Joanna Noble.

"I set myself a few challenges this year, I wanted to try and see puffins, foxes, gannets, kingfishers, short-eared owls and badgers and I have been so lucky to have managed to photograph all of these and more.

"However, the highlight for me has definitely been photographing and watching a family of badgers feeding and drinking, including a beautiful erythristic badger."

Black Country photographer Lisa Reynolds is normally found wandering around a local nature reserve or along the canal, but her photograph is from further afield this year.

"My favourite image is of a red squirrel, taken in April at Dingle Nature Reserve, Llangefni, Anglesey," she said.

"It's my favourite photo because I think red squirrels are so special and to see one in its natural habitat made my whole year."