Grand Prize Winner

Ann Schneider, 14-time traveler
Gurnee, IL

This evocative photograph of women working in a field near Agra was taken on our Heart of India adventure.

Comments from the judges: The photographer managed to perfectly capture an in-between moment that translates into an authentic glimpse of local life. You feel the sense of implied movement between the subjects and the environment. The beautifully exposed light adds warmth and complementary tones to the photo, bringing out details in both the women and the sun-kissed wheat.

Wildlife Winner

Paul Stark, 16-time traveler
Fountain Hills, AZ

Africa’s lush grasses are on the menu for these elephants on our Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara to the Serengeti adventure.

Comments from the judges: The composition is done very well, using the “classic rule of thirds.” With the subject on the left side of the frame and in the foreground, we are shown rich textural details of one elephant; while two other members of the herd in the background complete the perfectly composed scene. Seeing the elephant contentedly grazing while staring directly into the camera lens is a powerful moment. There is also an excellent use of negative space as the tree almost appears to frame the elephant.

Scenery Winner

Jamie Kathy Stamey, 26-time traveler
Sherrills Ford, NC

This photograph of the landscapes of Cappadocia, taken on our Turkey’s Magical Hideaways adventure, rose above the rest.

Comments from the judges: We loved the matching yellows of the land, the sky, and the balloons that came through in the photo. Shot from above for a bird’s eye view, the photo really captures the vastness and otherworldly beauty of the Cappadocian landscapes.

Fellow Traveler Winner

Donald E. Browers, 10-time traveler
Omaha, NE

Travelers pay close attention during a pasta lesson on Tuscany & Umbria: Rustic Beauty in the Italian Heartland.

Comments from the judges: Some consider making fresh pasta in Italy a work of art. We felt the soft, muted colors and lighting contrasts brought a true painterly quality to this photo showcasing cultural interaction in a Tuscan home.