From remote deserts to bustling cityscapes, the 2024 Travel Photographer of the Year winners capture the planet in all its beauty, fragility and wonder (www.tpoty.com). This gallery showcases a powerful collection of images – some taken by seasoned professionals, others by emerging artists as young as 12 years old. These young photographers prove that age is no barrier to vision offering awe-inspiring perspectives that remind us how travel can shape the way we see the world – and each other.
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A symbol of resilience and grace U.S.-born photographer Piper MacKay captures in Northern Kenya a Rendille girl – from the pastoralist tribe – adorned in traditional attire with woven beads, cowhide and ornaments. This clothing symbolizes her readiness for marriage. She holds a calabash which stands for nourishment and abundance. (Piper Mackay/tpoty.com)
Africa's wild beauty Mackay, who lives in Kenya, has been exploring Africa’s wilds since 2004. Her monochromatic style highlights this Maasai giraffe striding across the golden Mara Plains of Kenya. (Piper Mackay/tpoty.com)
Amboseli National Park Two Massai giraffes stroll across the stormy Amboseli plains. Mackay describes the air as “tense,” and the approaching storm adds a sense of urgency to their slow steps. (Piper Mackay/tpoty.com)
Sandaoling coal mine In an autonomous territory in northwest China, known as the Xinjiang province, black smoke arises at the Sandaoling coal mine. Photographer of the image, Raymond Zhang, says he was “moved by (workers’) persistence and silent contribution.” (Raymond Zhang/tpoty.com)
A beacon of positivity Workers at the Sandaoling coal mine have worked there for more than 40 years, Zhang says. Workers are seen during their short break. The red traditional artwork in the background symbolizes the Chinese New Year – a reminder of the positivity they kept despite being at a hard site away from their family. (Raymond Zhang/tpoty.com)
Abstract shapes and rhythms Twelve-year-old Leonardo Murray of Australia captures Namibia’s sand dunes. He shot these winning images on a trip around the southern African country with his father who is also a professional photographer. (Leonardo Murray/tpoty.com)
Namibia sand dunes A person walks along the Namibia sand dunes. A judge of TPOTY says Murray showed a “good creative eye,” and captured the near abstract shapes and rhythms. (Leonardo Murray/tpoty.com)
Whirlwind of energy Fourteen-year-old Sachin Prakash of the U.K. shot this pink hued image of New York City’s diverse crowd of tourists and the bustling of the “city that never sleeps.” The image was taken from 42nd Avenue in Times Square. (Sachin Prakash/tpoty.com)
June's sunrises bring new songs Seventeen-year-old Maksymilian Paczkowski from Poland has an eye for animals and nature. This image of an ortolan bunting – a tiny songbird that summers across Western Europe and winters in Africa – was captured by Paczkowski before dawn in Kórnik. (Maksymilian Paczkowski/tpoty.com)
An unexpected moment Paczkowski says that this kingfisher – a brightly coloured bird – sat right in front of him and changed position several times. He took the picture as the bird was taking off. (Maksymilian Paczkowski/tpoty.com)
