Travel photography is one of the most powerful forms of storytelling, and the Artist Gallery Awards 2025 has once again proven how images can transcend boundaries and connect us to the world. This year’s competition showcased an extraordinary collection of photographs that captured the essence of exploration, culture, and human connection. From remote landscapes to bustling city streets, the winning entries highlight the diversity of experiences that travel brings to life.
Photo by: Laurin Strele
The 25 exceptional travel-winning photos stand out not just for their technical brilliance but for the emotions they evoke. Each frame reflects a unique perspective — a frozen moment that carries layers of meaning. Whether it’s the golden light falling on desert dunes, the vibrancy of marketplaces alive with color, or the quiet dignity of people in remote villages, these photographs reveal the beauty of our shared humanity and the planet we call home.
One of the strongest aspects of this year’s award-winning collection is the way it emphasizes cultural narratives. Travel photography is more than landscapes; it’s about the people, traditions, and fleeting moments that make each place distinct. These images celebrate authenticity, steering away from clichés to reveal unexpected stories hidden in everyday life.
The 2025 winners also reflect the growing importance of sustainability and mindful travel. Many photographers turned their lenses toward environments under threat and communities working to preserve their heritage. This subtle yet powerful theme underlines how photography can inspire awareness and change.
Ultimately, the Artist Gallery Awards 2025 remind us that travel is a bridge — one that connects us to distant places, different cultures, and new perspectives. Through these 25 photographs, viewers are invited not only to witness beauty but also to feel a deeper connection to the world and its people.
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#1. 1st Place: "Venice of Africa" by Mauro De Bettio, Italy
"Makoko, Lagos’ vast floating slum with 300,000+ residents, faces severe challenges—lack of infrastructure, poverty, limited education, and healthcare. Built on stilts over water, it serves as home and sewage system. Despite hardships, its community shows strong unity and resilience."
#2. 2nd Place: "Catch of the Day" by Joy Saha, Bangaldesh
"Hundreds of fishermen catch fishes with bamboo-made traps in knee-deep water as they take part in a century-old traditional fishing festival during a foggy winter morning in Pabna, Bangladesh."
#3. 3rd Place: "Flying Wall" by Laurin Strele, Austria
"Young Shaolin monks practicing the legendary ‘Fei Bi’ (Flying Wall) technique, a gravity-defying exercise in discipline, agility, and years of devotion etched into every motion."
Honorable Mentions
#4. "Fish Market Flurry" by Florian Kriechbaumer, Germany
#5. "Sacred Union" by Ton Schless, USA
#6. "Tibetan Yellow Monks" by Ombeline Olmer, France
#7. "Mount Fuji in the Spring" by Bill Wilkins, USA
#8. "Our Antartica Home Away From Home" by Bill Wilkins, USA
#9. "Sunrice Terraces" by Cezary Filew, Poland
#10. "Calm Matternhorn Reflections" by Dario Brand, Germany
#11. "Seaweed Farms" by Paulina Castiello
#12. "Buggy Ride" by Gayle Pepper, USA
#13. "The Durban in Dutse" by Trevor Cole, Ireland
#14. "Danakil Camel Train" by Trevor Cole, Ireland
#15. "The Land Divers" by Mie Nielsen, Denmark
#16. "A Harder Asleep with his Castle" by Trevor Cole, Ireland
#17. "Iceburn in Town" by Dean McKillop, Canada
#18. "Hyena People" by Mauro de Bettio, Italy
#19. "Free Riders" by Mauro de Bettio, Italy
#20. "Ballon Over Bagan" by Karen Safer, USA
#21. "A Journey to Manhood" by Mauro de Bettio, Italy
#22. "Gentlemen of Kibera" by Mauro de Bettio, Italy
#23. "Devotion in the Smoke – Rakher Upobash" by Héctor Ruiz Golobart, Spain
#24. "Return of the Warriors – Asmat Canoe Ritual" by Héctor Ruiz Golobart, Spain
#25. "Sharing a Ride" by Antoine Weis, Switzerland
