Welcome to the winners’ gallery of the 2025 Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards, where the world shows up loud, raw, and ridiculously beautiful. These 30 winning images don’t just document places—they feel like being there. Dust in the air, neon at dusk, silence in the mountains, chaos in the streets. This is travel photography at full throttle.
What makes TPOTY hit different? The judging is 100% anonymous. No names, no clout, no shortcuts. Judges only see the image—nothing else. Generative AI? Not allowed. Finalists must submit RAW files (or adjacent JPEGs) to prove the work is legit. If the files don’t check out, the image doesn’t win. Simple as that. The result is a collection that’s honest, hard-earned, and technically tight.
The 2025 entries raised the bar yet again. From epic landscapes to quiet human moments, the variety is wild—and the quality is straight fire. The judging panel poured serious time and care into selecting the winners, and it shows. Every photo earns its spot.
Run by photographers, for photographers, TPOTY is truly global. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what gear you shoot—amateur or pro, beginner or veteran, young or old—this stage is open to anyone with vision and grit. And while the prizes are sweet (thanks to generous sponsors), the real win is exposure. TPOTY puts photographers on the map through international media, books, exhibitions, and profiles.
Over the years, TPOTY winners have seen careers explode—new doors open, confidence skyrocket, and images travel the world. For some, it’s a dream realized. For others, it’s the spark that starts everything. Judge for yourself—these photos don’t miss.
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#1. Overall Winner – Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 by Athanasios Maloukos, Greece
#2. Overall Young winner – Young Travel Photographer of the Year by Jamie Smart, UK (age 10)
#3. Young TPOTY – 14 & under Winner – Naomi Cech, Czech Republic/Czechia (age 11)
#4. Young TPOTY – 14 & under runner up – Zoe Wacker, USA (age 12)
#5. Young TPOTY – 15 to 18 Winner – Matei Maracineanu, Romania (age 15)
#6. Young TPOTY – 15 to 18 Runner Up – Kabiur Rahman Riyad, Bangladesh (age 18)
#7. Travel Image of the Year – Dana Allen
#8. Portfolio – Adventures & Experiences Winner – Sara Bardotti, Italy
#9. Portfolio – Adventures & Experiences Runner Up – Teo Chin Leong, Singapore
#10. Portfolios – Culture, Heritage & Beliefs Winner – Mitchell Kanashkevich, Australia
“Mauritanian children learning the quaran in an Islamic school called a mahadara. Adrar, Mauritania”
#11. Portfolios – Culture, Heritage & Beliefs Runner Up – Dashwater Gopalkrishna Bade, India
#12. Portfolios – Landscape, Weather & Climate Winner – Paul Sansome, UK
#13. Portfolios – Landscape, Weather & Climate Runner Up – Suliman Alatiqi, Kuwait
#14. Portfolios – Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife Winner – Mohammad Murad, Kuwait
#15. Portfolios – Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife Joint Runner Up – Emma Parker, Australia
#16. Portfolios – Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife Joint Runner Up – Panagiotis Dalagiogos, Greece
#17. Best single images in portfolios – Adventures & Experiences Winner – Frederico Figueiredo Cerdeira, Brazil
#18. Best single images in portfolios – Culture, Heritage & Beliefs Special Mention – Tittu Shaji Thomas, India
#19. Best single images in portfolios – Landscape, Weather & Climate Winner – Laetitia Guichard, France
#20. Best single images in portfolios – Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife Winner – Kevin Yu Shi, USA
#21. Best single images in portfolios – Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife Special Mention – Emma Parker, Australia
#22. One Shot – Green Planet Winner – John Edward, USA
#23. One shot – Slow Travel Winner – Teo Chin Leong, Singapore
#24. One Shot – Travel in Monochrome Runner Up – Prashant Chacko, India
#25. One Shot – Travel Portraits Winner – Rahsan Firtina, Turkey
#26. Rising Talent Winner – Marusa Uranjek, Slovenia
#27. Rising Talent Winner – Silke Hullmann, Germany
#28. Rising Talent Winner – Christopher Harrison, UK
#29. Rising Talent Winner – Sue O’Connell, UK
#30. Rising Talent Winner – Liesel Geertsema, New Zealand
In Summary
What is the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards?
- A global photography competition run by photographers, celebrating the best travel images worldwide.
How are TPOTY photos judged?
- Judging is anonymous. Judges don’t know the photographer’s identity until after results are finalized.
Is AI allowed in TPOTY?
- No. Generative AI is strictly prohibited, and RAW files are required for final judging.
Who can enter TPOTY?
- Anyone—amateur or professional, from anywhere in the world.
What do winners gain besides prizes?
- Global exposure through exhibitions, media features, books, and international recognition.
