Infrared wins out in the Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 winners

The Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 (TPOTY 2024) awards have once again highlighted the immense talent and diversity of photographers worldwide. This year’s competition received over 20,000 entries from more than 150 countries, showcasing compelling stories and breathtaking artistry across various categories. From infrared portraits in Africa to striking images of endangered species, the winners have raised the bar for travel photography, offering a visual feast that inspires and educates.

This article celebrates the exceptional winners who captured the essence of storytelling through their lenses. With each photograph, they invite us into unique worlds—bridging cultures, preserving traditions, and capturing fleeting moments of beauty and significance.

Overall Winner: Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 – Piper Mackay

Piper Mackay’s groundbreaking work earned her the prestigious title of Travel Photographer of the Year 2024. Her portfolio features evocative infrared images from Africa, including portraits of women from the Rendile and Daasanach tribes and ethereal shots of Maasai giraffes roaming the savannah.

Mackay’s use of infrared photography brings an otherworldly quality to her work, transforming harsh environments into surreal landscapes that emphasize light and texture. Her portraits, such as the pregnant Macubal tribe woman standing against the stark landscape of Angola, reflect resilience, grace, and the strength of cultural identity.

Mackay shared her philosophy: “Never let the photo dictate your experience; always let the experience dictate the photo.” For over two decades, she has dedicated her career to capturing the wild beauty of Africa, with her images appearing in National Geographic and numerous other esteemed publications.

Portfolio Winner: Faces, People, Cultures – Maricruz Sainz de Aja

Maricruz’s portfolio offers a poignant look at the Wauga elders of Papua New Guinea. Her photographs highlight the intricate details of their feathered headdresses and the cultural significance of their bamboo flutes, used during ceremonies.

One standout image features two elders standing together, their weathered faces reflecting a lifetime of resilience. This series is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving cultural traditions.

Best Single Image in Faces, People, Cultures Portfolio: Partha Pratim Roy

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Winners Best Single Image in a Portfolio – Faces, People, Cultures: Partha Pratim Roy, India
TPOTY 2024 Best Single Image in a Portfolio Winner – Faces, People, Cultures: Partha Pratim Roy, India

Partha’s dynamic image of a horseman battling the elements at Mount Bromo, Indonesia, captures the strength and spirit of the Tenggerese people. The swirling volcanic dust and the raw energy of the scene make this photograph a standout.

Portfolio Winner: Planet Earth – Landscapes, Climate & Water: Roie Galitz

Roie’s aerial photographs of the Bråsvellbreen Glacier in Svalbard are both beautiful and sobering. His images highlight the stark impact of climate change, with cascading meltwater and intricate ice textures underscoring the fragility of polar ecosystems.

Best Single Image in Planet Earth – Landscapes, Climate & Water: Alain Schroeder,

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Best Single Image in Planet Earth – Landscapes, Climate & Water Winner: Alain Schroeder
TPOTY 2024 Best Single Image in Planet Earth – Landscapes, Climate & Water Winner: Alain Schroeder

Alain’s touching image of a young girl playing in the flooded streets of Indonesia draws attention to the human cost of rising sea levels. Her joyful expression amidst adversity serves as a powerful symbol of resilience.

Portfolio Winner: Travel in Monochrome – Aleš Krivec

Aleš transforms the Dolomites into striking monochrome landscapes, capturing shepherd cottages and alpine vistas with dramatic use of light and shadow. His work emphasizes texture and contrast, creating timeless images.

Best Single Image in Travel in Monochrome: Linda Wride

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024Best Single Image in Travel in Monochrome Winner: Linda Wride
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Best Single Image in Travel in Monochrome Winner: Linda Wride

Linda’s photograph of a potter in Avanos, Turkey, captures the tactile beauty of the pottery-making process. The monochrome tones bring out the rich textures of clay and craftsmanship.

Portfolio Winner: Wildlife, Nature & Underwater – Jenny Stock

Jenny’s fearless exploration of Cuban crocodiles results in a thrilling portfolio. From macro shots of crocodile eyes to split-shots capturing their stealthy presence above and below water, her work showcases both technical skill and bravery.

Best Single Image in Wildlife, Nature & Underwater: Joshua Holko

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Best Single Image in Wildlife, Nature & Underwater Winner: Joshua Holko
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Best Single Image in Wildlife, Nature & Underwater Winner: Joshua Holko

Joshua Holkos’s haunting image of a frost-covered Pallas’s cat in Mongolia captures the harshness of the winter landscape and the elusive nature of this wild feline.

Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 – Raymond Zhang (age 14)

At just 14 years old, Raymond Zhang captured the hearts of the judges with his emotional portfolio depicting the lives of coal mine workers in Xinjiang, China. His images reflect not only the harsh realities of their work but also their resilience and dedication.

In one standout photograph, a worker is seen stoking the fire of a steam locomotive, symbolizing the toll of traditional energy industries on both people and the environment. Another image captures workers taking a rare moment of rest, their faces illuminated by the glow of Chinese New Year decorations—a poignant reminder of sacrifice and perseverance.

Young TPOTY Winner, 14 Years & Under – Leonardo Murraya (age 12)

Leonardo Murray’s serene portfolio from Namibia’s sand dunes is a testament to his precocious talent. His abstract compositions emphasize the stark beauty of the desert, with flowing lines of sand illuminated by golden light.

One particularly captivating image features a lone figure walking along a dune ridge at sunset, evoking themes of solitude and the enduring connection between humans and nature.

Young TPOTY Winner, 15-18 Years – Maksymilian Paczkowski (age 17)

Maksymilian’s passion for wildlife shines through in his portfolio, which captures the vivid beauty of birds in Poland. Highlights include a stunning shot of an ortolan bunting in soft morning light and a rare glimpse of a partridge silhouetted against the rising sun.

The judges praised his use of light and color, noting his ability to bring artistic flair to his compositions while maintaining a deep respect for the natural world.

One Shot Winner: Cities, Towns, Streets – Matthew DeSantis

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Cities, Towns, Streets – Matthew DeSantis, USA
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Cities, Towns, Streets – Matthew DeSantis, USA

Matthew’s photo of Bhutanese teens playing baseball against the backdrop of the Buddha Dordennma statue blends tradition with modernity, symbolizing Bhutan’s evolving cultural landscape.

One Shot Winner: Escape – Ngar Shun Victor Wong

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Escape – Ngar Shun Victor Wong, Hong Kong
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Escape – Ngar Shun Victor Wong, Hong Kong

Victor’s serene image of a snow-covered church in Slovenia captures a moment of peace and introspection, with delicate mist adding a dreamlike quality to the scene.

One Shot Winner: Festivals & Celebrations – Jo Kearney

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Festivals & Celebrations – Jo Kearney, UK
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Festivals & Celebrations – Jo Kearney, UK

Jo’s vibrant photograph of the Kalash Spring Festival in Pakistan showcases the joy and unity of the celebration. The vivid colors and elaborate costumes highlight the cultural richness of the event.

One Shot Winner: Women in World Culture – Erhan Coral

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Women in World Culture – Erhan Coral, Turkey
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 One Shot Winner: Women in World Culture – Erhan Coral, Turkey

Erhan’s touching portrait of an elderly woman during Mexico’s Día de los Muertos captures the profound intersection of life, death, and memory.

People’s Choice Winner: Mauro de Bettio

Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 People’s Choice Winner: Mauro de Bettio, Italy
Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 People’s Choice Winner: Mauro de Bettio, Italy

Mauro’s powerful image of a pangolin rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria raises awareness about the plight of endangered species.

Judging and Exhibitions

The TPOTY 2024 winners were selected by a 15-strong panel of international judges. All entries were judged anonymously, with finalists required to submit RAW files to ensure authenticity.

The winning images will be exhibited at the Banbury Museum & Galleries (March 29 – July 7, 2025) and other global venues, including China and the UAE, offering a unique opportunity to experience these stunning works up close.

Beyond the Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 Winners

The Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 winners demonstrate the power of photography to capture our world’s beauty, complexity, and vulnerability. With images that range from breathtaking landscapes to intimate cultural moments, this year’s winners remind us of the importance of preserving both the art of photography and the stories it tells.

Photographers inspired by TPOTY can check out our list of photography contests to find their next challenge. And enjoy the also very interesting photographs of runner-ups and other finalists in the gallery on the official contest page.

Furthermore, we can only wait for the new edition of these TPOTYs to start and hope to find photographs as good or better than the ones that have stood out this year.

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