"Achieving Travel Photographer of the Year: Stimulate, captivate, and even amuse the judges through your photographs"
The Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition is back for its 2025 edition, inviting photographers from all around the world to showcase their best travel-related images. This prestigious competition, launched in 2003, offers multiple thematic categories, a notable cash prize, and a closing date on October 13, 2025.
Categories and Eligibility
TPOTY features a broad scope of categories, allowing entrants to submit images across diverse themes connected to travel experiences. The competition is open internationally to photographers of any skill level, with free entry for under-18s. Entrants can submit multiple images, and there are no nationality restrictions.
Prizes and Awards
The main prize is £1,000, but additional prizes are likely to include recognition through publication and exposure, typical for TPOTY. Past competitions have mentioned additional awards and showcase opportunities, but the exact breakdown beyond the cash prize was not found in these results.
A new award for 2025, the Travel Image of the Year, will be chosen by the judging panel and the general public. There is also a People's Choice award, given to one of the finalists by the general public.
Prizes for the winners include a cash prize, a portfolio review from a TPOTY judge, imaging software, and online photography training.
Advice for Entrants
TPOTY founder Chris Coe advises entrants to submit their best images, not just their favorites. He also encourages photographers to ensure their photos fit the specific category theme and to consider entering harder categories due to fewer entries and better chances to stand out.
TPOTY 2025 Categories
The Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 competition includes four One Shot single-image categories: Green Planet; Slow Travel; Travel in Monochrome; and Travel Portraits. Additionally, there are four portfolio categories: Adventures & Experiences; Culture, Heritage & Beliefs; Landscape, Weather & Climate; and Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife.
There are also categories for young photographers in TPOTY. The HD Video category invites submissions for either a two-minute video themed Our World, or a one-minute Shooting Travel video.
For full details on all 2025 categories and comprehensive prize specifics, checking the official TPOTY website (tpoty.com) close to the deadline will provide the authoritative and updated information.
About Chris Coe
Chris Coe, the subject of the article, taught himself photography with an Olympus Trip and turned his student hobby into a career. He has published over 50 books, including some on photography, and curated over 50 international exhibitions. Coe lectures, teaches, and mentors through workshops, international photography festivals, and private tuition. He also runs an online creative resource called Eye for the Light, featuring photography articles and the Newton & Coe podcast series.
Conclusion
TPOTY is a global photo competition that celebrates the best work in travel photography. With multiple thematic categories, nominal entry fees (free for youth), a notable cash prize of £1,000, and a closing date on October 13, 2025, it is an opportunity not to be missed for any travel photographer.
- Entrants should submit their best images, not just favorites, for the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition.
- TPOTY offers a broad scope of categories connected to travel experiences and is open internationally to photographers of any skill level, with free entry for under-18s.
- The competition includes categories like Green Planet, Travel in Monochrome, Travel Portraits, Adventures & Experiences, and HD Video.
- Past competitions have featured additional awards and showcase opportunities, which may include recognition through publication and exposure.
- The new award for 2025, the Travel Image of the Year, will be chosen by the judging panel and the general public.
- The main prize is £1,000, but additional prizes may include a portfolio review, imaging software, online photography training, and other benefits.
- Chris Coe, the founder of TPOTY, encourages photographers to consider entering harder categories due to fewer entries and better chances to stand out.
- Chris Coe is a renowned photographer who has published over 50 books, curated over 50 international exhibitions, and runs an online creative resource called Eye for the Light.
- The winning travel photographer will have their work showcased in TPOTY exhibitions around the world, opening doors for further opportunities in travel photography, journalism, and lifestyle industries.
- TPOTY 2025 invites photographers to capture the spirit of travel through wildlife, landscapes, portraits, and more, offering a platform for newcomers and professionals alike to elevate their careers and showcase their best work.
