Our favorite photos from National Geographic's stunning 2024 'Pictures of the Year' issue

National Geographic never disappoints.

National Geographic released its Pictures of the Year issue, highlighting the 20 best images Nat Geo photographers took in 2024. This year's shots were narrowed down from over 2.3 million photos, 300,000 more than in 2023. They're an eye-opening and thought-provoking glimse into the animal kingdom, various cultures and scientific innovation.

“A compendium of the best recent work from National Geographic’s photographers in the field, Pictures of the Year is an annual highlight of our editorial calendar. This year’s selection is timeless and timely,” said Nathan Lump, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic. “Our 2024 photos are visually captivating, to be sure, but they also bring to life the urgent challenges facing us as well as the ingenuity that’s been sparked in meeting them – from an effort to save rhinos to advances in green technology to adaptations in animal behavior. We hope that these images will stop audiences in their tracks and inspire them to learn more.”

Woman has incredible reaction when stranger asks if he can take her picture

This didn't go the way people were expecting.

We all need to be told that we’re beautiful, that we are appreciated and that we matter. While hearing these words of kindness from loved ones is certainly palpable, they hit differently when offered by complete strangers.

And when that compliment also comes with some amazing pictures to prove it, even better. And that is the story we find ourselves in. On Nov 22, a portrait photographer named Alex, aka @portraitgeek on Instagram, stopped a woman walking on the street, asking her if he could snap a picture. The wholesome interaction that unfolded is a much needed dose of humanity at its best.

Sweden is looking to trademark their name and they need your help!

The country is taking historic steps to fix the problem.

There are eight other Swedens in the world, and six of them are in the U.S. - it’s no wonder the original* Sweden (which has existed for over 1,000 years) wants to create a less confusing world.

Unlike the knockoffs, the original Sweden has the luxuries of privacy, relaxation, freedom, four seasons, and so much more. Help them get that trademark and learn more about this majestic country

A man left a note after backing into a woman's car. Their text exchanges are peak wholesome.

Humans are just wonderful sometimes.

People leave notes on strangers' cars for a host of reasons. Sometimes it's an anonymous compliment or word of encouragement. Sometimes it's a complaint about someone's parking. Sometimes it's a sales pitch for a car wash or legal services. Sometimes it's an apology for a woopsie—opening a car door or losing control of a shopping cart, dinging a stranger's vehicle.

Often the note is where the communication ends—but not always. When a man left a note on a woman's car after accidentally backing into it, she responded to him by text and their exchange has people feeling a bit better about humanity.