Faces, people are part of the magic of travel. One of the big reasons to travel is to meet people from different cultures and to see the way they live. Every face has something beautiful about it and every face is a window into a character. It’s easy to take a travel snap of someone but capturing their character, the essence of a person is much harder. The focus here should be on the subject’s uniqueness and character.
What subjects can you include?
Portraits of people but with an insight into their character and lives. Not just a snapshot of someone you meet on your travels – make them come alive!
This category is a standalone award and entries are not considered in selecting the winner of the overall title of Travel Photographer of the Year 2025. However the winning image will be automatically eligible for the Travel Image of the Year 2025 award.
What are the judges looking for?
Images celebrating people, their faces and their characters. My their personalities come alive and give an insight into the person you photograph.
Am I eligible?
This category is open to all photographers.
How many images?
One (1) image per entry.
How many times can I enter?
You can enter this category as many times as you want to.
What is the category entry fee?
Entry options:
- £12 single image entry
OR IF ENTERING MORE THAN ONE IMAGE
- ‘Two Plus Four’ 12-image combination of 4 One Shot entries and 2 four-image portfolios entered at the same time for £55 (full price £82 if entered individually).
OR
- ‘Ten Image Combination’ of between 6 and 10 One Shot images for £55 (full price up to £100 if entered individually).
ENTERING LOTS OF IMAGES? Use the early bird TPOTY Pass for unlimited entries until 31st July 2025
Do I need to shoot new material to be able to enter this category?
No! We have always allowed entrants to submit images from their archives – i.e. contemporary photography shot in recent years – and have always said that ‘travel starts when you leave your home’. So it’s your choice. You can travel locally or travel further afield. Entries close on 13th October.
Digital Manipulation
Please see the information on digital manipulation and note that entrants who are shortlisted as finalists will be required to provide the original image files (RAW or jpeg as shot).
No AI generated images will be allowed and any entered will be disqualified.
Prizes
The winner of the One Shot Travel Portraits category will receive a Lensbaby Special Edition kit worth £1000, courtesy of SheClicks – plus Radiant Photo imaging software.
Images © TREVOR COLE & Maricruz Sainz de la aja
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Our sponsors and partners
It would not be possible to run Travel Photographer of the Year without the support of our sponsors and partners, and we are hugely grateful for their involvement each year. Click the logo to learn more about each of Travel Photographer of the Year’s sponsor and partners.
