The top prize was awarded to Andrea Bettancini (Italy) for The Background Noise, a striking series that captures the quiet tension between presence and place.
Second Place went to Callie Eh (Malaysia) for A Journey of Heart and Heritage, an intimate exploration of identity and belonging.
Third Place was awarded to Andrea Peruzzi (Italy) for Devotion in Mazar-I Sharif, a deeply moving look at faith and ritual in Afghanistan.
The remaining 22 Merit Award winners complete a remarkably diverse and global lineup, featuring photographers from 13 countries across four continents—with 12 women among the 25 winners, reflecting the evolving voices shaping contemporary photography today.
#3 Heart Of The Highlands From The Series 'Iceland From Above' By Artem Postelnikov
The Merit Award winners are:
Artem Postelnikov (Ukraine), Kristyn Taylor (Australia), Andrea Torrei (Italy), Guillaume Petermann (France), Somenath Mukhopadhyay (India), Indranil Sengupta (India), Vitaly Golovatyuk (Russia), Thibault Gerbaldi (France/United States), Fiorella Baldisserri (Italy), Brigitte Bourger (France), Lise Leino (Finland/United Kingdom), Ryan Kost (United States), Prescott Lassman (United States), Mogli Maureal (Philippines/United States), Costanza Rossi (Italy), Carole Mills Noronha (Australia), Orna Naor (Israel), TJ Vissing (United States), Emilie Favier (France), Mariqua Poquet (France), Sanghamitra Sarkar (India), and Laura Jean Zito (Ireland).
From ancestral rituals in Ethiopia and Borneo, to disappearing ways of life in Papua New Guinea and the Amazon, and deeply personal narratives of migration, labor, and childhood, these series form a layered portrait of a world in constant motion—yet deeply rooted in tradition.
The top three winners each receive a $1,000 cash prize, and all 25 winning photographers are featured in the All About Photo Winners Gallery and published in the printed edition of AAP Magazine #53: Travels.
More than a competition, this issue is a celebration of curiosity, respect, and storytelling—proof that travel photography, at its best, doesn’t just show us where people live, but how they live, remember, and belong.
#9 Illimani From The Sky From The Series 'Bolivia At 12,000 Feet And Above' By Tj Vissing
#10 The Art Of Beshik From The Series 'A Journey Of Heart And Heritage' By Callie Eh
#12 Between Departures From The Series 'The Distance Of Light' By Andrea Torrei
#14 The New Elders From The Series 'The Fathers Of The Rite' By Costanza Rossi
#16 Outside The Weaving Cooperative From The Series 'The Road To Machu Picchu' By Prescott Lassman
#18 Portrait Of Natata From The Series 'Level 5, Kenya' By Carole Mills Noronha
