To finish the year with a bang, we asked to see the best Pokémon GO AR photos you took in 2025!
Next Submission Theme
For the first AR showcase of 2026, we want to see your best photos of shiny Pokémon! Submit here by 25th January to be considered.
Unedited Images
The below AR images have not been edited in any way.
‘『Greninja used ninjutsu!』’ by Limu, Tourist destinations in Nagano Prefecture.
‘They have passed down to their disciples for generations the techniques of giving the opponent the illusion that there are multiple of them.’
‘Legendary Encounter’ by Golbat Master, Massachusetts, USA.
‘Encountering an Elusive Legendary Pokémon while Hiking the Mountain Trails.’
‘Pink Queen’ by Gorgon25.
‘Wondering alone in the darkening forest…the last beams of sunlight gave ghoulishly pink nuance in the sky above…you see a clearing ahead…you rush, hoping to leave the forest…no more trees, just bat-like figure staring into your soul…no more…’
‘『friendship.』’ by Limu, A park in Odaiba, Tokyo.
‘I wanted to show two friends who don’t normally use Pokémon GO’s photo features the fun of taking photos. The Pokemon Playgrounds feature is a great way to deepen bonds between friends.’
‘Let’s Rock’ by Ayush7983, Goa, India.
‘I heard melodious voices coming from the jungle, I followed the sound and saw something unbelievable and rare . A mythical Pokémon, that too shiny !!! Meloetta with a flock of shiny Chatots :)’
‘May everyone be happy.’ by TAKA-RV, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.
‘This photo is featured on the GOSnapshot page in the Pokémon GO app. It won the grand prize in X’s AR submission project (MakeAWishAR2025), and it’s become a lifelong treasure to me.’
‘『The one who paved the way.』’ by Limu, A row of cherry blossom trees along the nearby river.
‘He is an important presence who taught me a world I had never known before. He showed me 12 flames. And I’m sure he will continue to guide my soul with flames I have never seen before.’
‘Happy Holidays!’ by ACE📸, Tokyo, Japan.
‘I wish you and your family the best for the coming year.’
‘『Village Gathering』’ by Limu, Tourist destinations in Nagano Prefecture.
‘Even when you meet someone for the first time, it doesn’t feel like you’ve met them for the first time, right? There’s something similar about them!’
Edited Images
The below AR images have been edited or filtered in some way.
‘Crimson Omen’ by DStarblader, IT Park, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.
‘With its spectral howl echoing through the stillness of a dying world, Hisuian Zoroark emerges like a harbinger of ruin cloaked in rage and illusion.’
‘Champions (“Pose” Series)’ by Lito Frito/@pogo_a.art, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
‘I started a series called “Pose” where they’re just Pokemon acting like any tourist would while visiting stuff: They’d go to the sites, strike the common poses, and take the commemorative selfies/pics people always take 🙂.
This one features the iconic Rocky statue, from the movies, next to the iconic steps Rocky runs up, in the movie.
I think this statue/pose/scene/movie speaks to so many people because it has Rocky and you, vicariously, feeling like a champion. I think I even read that the “champion” pose is not even learned behavior but innate! Really cool stuff’
‘A Mega Pop-Up!’ by PoGoMiloUKYT, United Kingdom.
‘Shiny Mega Lucario had to make an appearance at the Pokemon TCG Pop-Up in London in Autumn of 2025! An amazing exhibition with giant TCG cards gave an amazing AR Photography backdrop!’
‘Blazing Glory’ by DStarblader, City of Naga, Cebu, Philippines.
‘Reshiram burst out fiery aura in the morning sunrise, transcending its flaming glory by enveloping the atmosphere with warm and gentle embrace.’
‘Flex (Good as Gold) – (Pose Series)’ by Lito Frito/@pogo_a.art, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
‘This is also part of my “Pose” series ( a series of Pokemon posing for touristy pics).
This is called “Flex” because what use does Gholdengo have for an ATM when it’s “good as gold”? 😉
This is also a fairly iconic ATM in Philly’s Chinatown. It’s next to the Fire Station (another iconic place with a super cool mural). The ATM is decorated with graffiti and murals alike haha’
‘Celestial Paladin’ by DStarblader, City of Naga, Cebu, Philippines.
‘Clad in radiant steel and crowned by the wind, Shiny Crown Sword Zacian commands the skies as a mythic bladebearer sworn to vanquish darkness with a single, sacred strike.’
‘Posing with Pidove’ by BlueGiraffeKid, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
‘Pidove posing for the camera during a walk around downtown Indianapolis.’
‘Not Rudolph’ by Lito Frito/@pogo_a.art, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
‘Stantler’s posed to remind people of their favorite red-nosed reindeer. But, it’s “Not Rudolph” haha 😆 ‘
‘Eon Radiance’ by DStarblader, City of Naga, Cebu, Philippines.
‘Latias glides through morning light, with its gaze set on the rising sun and an ethereal stillness, embodying the quiet promise of a new day.’
‘Free Bird (Natural Environments Series)’ by Lito Frito/@pogo_a.art, Rail Park, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
‘I started a series where the Pokemon are snapped in what would realistically be their natural environments. In Gen1, Zapdos was found in a power plant. I found a park that overlooks a plant, so it made for the perfect shot. Also, def lookup the song Free Bird because it goes perfectly with this pic haha’
Edits
The below images are composites/full edits, made using a combination AR, existing images, and extensive editing.
‘NAIC with the Crew’ by theycallmephones (IG, Bluesky) / callmephones (Twitter/X), New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
‘While in New Orleans this year to compete at NAIC, I joined a few creators I know well for a nice dinner near the convention center. They posed for a photo at the end and, being the photographer that I am, I got the shot and put Pokémon with everyone. NAIC was a fun event and I’d love to compete (and get post-competition dinner with everyone) again!
Credited individuals (all of whom were asked for permission before posting on social media earlier this year) in this photo are: toloveL, AlcremieSundae, KberryKim, Leonhart, RealBreakingNate, Super Duper Dani, Stephosaurawr, Prof. Mikey, Basically_Marie, and GymTrainerMax.’
‘Pokémon @ Times Square’ by theycallmephones (IG, Bluesky) / callmephones (Twitter/X), New York City, NY, United States.
‘This was a major project for me this year. I was leaving a card store and walking past Times Square to get to my train. There was an empty area in the middle where I thought I could put some Unova Pokémon to match the setting of Unova being based on NYC. As the project went on, it evolved into trying to make the Unova element feel “real” with different advertisements and blending certain advertisements between the two worlds (ex: the Wicked poster being changed to include Gothitelle and Hatterene, or the ad for the Hisui exhibit at the Museum of Natural History). It took about a week to compile all this using official Pokémon assets as well as my own photography and Photoshop work.’
‘Welcome to Worlds 2025!’ by theycallmephones (IG, Bluesky) / callmephones (Twitter/X), Anaheim, CA, United States.
‘When we all got to the Anaheim Convention Center for the Pokémon World Championships this year, attendees were greeted with a giant inflatable Pikachu to take photos with. I got to the convention center a few days before the tournament started so I had the chance to take photos without too many people in the way. Once a great shot was established, I just had to wait for Pikachu in the letterman jacket to go live in-game and compiled this shot using all the Worlds mascots this year.’
AR Masters
The below images are taken by our AR Masters.
‘Galarian Articuno’ by kittypokemonsalot, Nottinghamshire, UK.
‘My favourite photos I took this year were actually taken way back in January 2025! We were away on a family holiday to celebrate my Mum’s birthday and the lighting was beautiful, so I had to photograph one of the most beautiful Pokémon there is. I love the Bokehmon technique, and this one is extra special because it has a treasured memory attached to it.’
