"Achieving Travel Photographer of the Year: Encourage the judges to reconsider, make them reexamine their decisions, and even bring a smile to their faces"
Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 Opens for Entries
The Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition, a renowned event launched in 2003, is now accepting submissions for its 2025 edition. This prestigious competition offers both monetary and professional development rewards, aiming to recognise and support travel photographers from around the world.
Categories and Awards
The competition features multiple categories, including four portfolio categories: Adventures & Experiences, Culture, Heritage & Beliefs, Landscape, Weather & Climate, and Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife. There are also four One Shot single-image categories: Green Planet, Slow Travel, Travel in Monochrome, and Travel Portraits.
New for 2025 is the Travel Image of the Year award, which will be chosen jointly by judges and public vote. The Young Travel Photographer of the Year award is also available for photographers aged 18 and under, divided into two age groups with the theme "Journeys & Adventures."
The Rising Talent award will see six amateur or semi-professional photographers selected to have their work reviewed and supported. The People’s Choice award, chosen by the general public, is also part of the competition.
Eligibility and Entry
The competition is open internationally to photographers of all levels, with the Young TPOTY category restricted to those under 18. Entry to the main competition is automatic and free when submitting portfolios.
Prizes
The overall winner, the Travel Photographer of the Year 2025, is the entrant who submits the best two portfolios across any of the four portfolio categories. Rising Talent winners receive a cash prize, portfolio reviews from TPOTY judges and New York photography agents, imaging software, and online photography training.
The Travel Image of the Year is chosen jointly by judges and public vote, and the People’s Choice award is selected by the public. Additional exposure includes inclusion in exhibitions and media, plus training and support opportunities.
Notable Figures
Chris Coe, a self-taught photographer who turned his passion into a career, is a significant figure in the world of travel photography. He lectures, teaches, and mentors through workshops, international photography festivals, and private tuition. Coe has curated over 50 international exhibitions and has published over 50 books, some of which are about photography. He also hosts a podcast series named Newton & Coe.
The Judges
The identities of the TPOTY judges are not disclosed.
The Competition's Scope
The competition has wide-ranging categories, but the common thread in what the judges are looking for is not specified. Details about the competition's policy on image editing, including the extent of editing allowed, are also not provided. Advice for entrants on how to choose their best shot ahead of submission is not given.
Conclusion
The Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 competition offers a unique opportunity for photographers to showcase their work, gain recognition, and win prizes. With its diverse categories and prestigious awards, it is a competition not to be missed for anyone with a passion for travel photography.
- In 2025, the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition, established in 2003, starts accepting entries for its latest edition, offering chances for monetary rewards and professional development.
- The competition features multiple categories, such as Adventures & Experiences, Culture, Heritage & Beliefs, Landscape, Weather & Climate, Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife, Green Planet, Slow Travel, Travel in Monochrome, Travel Portraits, and the new Travel Image of the Year.
- The Young Travel Photographer of the Year award is open for photographers under 18, with the theme "Journeys & Adventures," divided into two age groups.
- The Rising Talent award, exclusive for amateur or semi-professional photographers, offers portfolio reviews, cash prizes, imaging software, online photography training, and support from TPOTY judges and New York photography agents.
- The competition sees the People’s Choice award chosen by the general public, and the Travel Image of the Year chosen jointly by judges and public vote.
- Entrants must use the appropriate lens for wildlife, portrait, landscape, travel, or macro shots to capture the essence of their subject.
- Chris Coe, a self-taught travel photographer, has made a significant impact in the industry, with over 50 international exhibitions, 50 books, a podcast series, and teaching roles at workshops, festivals, and through private tuition.
- The TPOTY judges' identities are kept confidential, but their preferences lean towards original, captivating, and skillfully composed submissions.
- The competition encourages entrants to edit their video and photo submissions carefully, focusing on aspects like exposure, focus, composition, and attention to detail to maximize their chances of success.
