It’s that time of the year again! The Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 awards are now open for submissions. Whether you’re an amateur shutterbug or a seasoned professional, this competition is your chance to shine. Founded in 2003, the contest celebrates the art of travel photography, welcoming participants from ages five to 88, and from over 154 countries.
Kazuaki Koseki from Japan clinched the best single image in the Landscape and Environment category with his captivating shot of Lake Shirakawa, taken with a Nikon D4S, 70-200mm lens, f8, 30s, ISO 100.
Running from May 31 to October 6, the contest invites photographers to submit their work under four portfolio categories: Faces, People, Cultures; Planet Earth; Landscapes, Climate, and Water; and Nature and Wildlife. It also features four one-shot single image categories: Cities, Towns, and Streets; Escape; Festivals and Celebrations; and Women in World Cultures.
Last year, Israeli photographer Roie Galitz received a Highly Commended in the Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation category for his poignant photo titled ‘The Last Embrace,’ taken in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, using a Nikon D850, 180-400mm lens, f/5, 1/200s, ISO 1000.
This year also introduces the Young Travel Photographer of the Year category, open to photographers aged 18 and under, with awards in two age groups under the theme ‘Travel Experiences.’ There’s also a new Rising Talent award for amateur or semi-professional photographers, or those who have been professional for up to two years. Entry fees begin at £12.
Sponsors like SheClicks and Eye for the Light are backing the event. The judging panel will feature Ellie Rothnie, a multi-award-winning nature and wildlife photographer and Canon Ambassador for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The grand title of Travel Photographer of the Year will go to the entrant with the best two portfolios across any of the categories. The winners will be awarded cash prizes, imaging software, online photography training, membership to the Royal Photographic Society, and portfolio reviews from judges. Specifically, two winners will receive an additional review from New York photographer’s agent Frank Meo, while Rising Star winners will join a mentoring scheme.
Besides these prizes, winners will also gain extensive media exposure and have their works exhibited in UK and international shows. Confirmed exhibitions include Banbury Museum and Gallery in Oxfordshire, UK; Foto Festival Manzana 1 in Bolivia; and Xposure Festival of Photography in Sharjah, UAE.
Last year, UK-based Sam Turley was the runner-up in the Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation portfolio with his touching image of a young pangolin resting under a boy’s chin at the Wild is Life Sanctuary in Harare, Zimbabwe. Turley used a Fujifilm X-T3 with a 16-55mm lens, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 1000.
This year’s Travel Photographer of the Year awards promises to be an extraordinary showcase of talent from around the world. With new categories and exciting prizes, it’s the perfect opportunity for photographers at any level to gain recognition and share their unique travel stories.
