This story is about 1,000 words — the same number they say a photo is worth. But some of you will skip entire sentences of this piece, instead scanning the images themselves for meaning. And that’s fair enough. The winning photos of the TravelAge West 10th Annual Reader Photo Contest drew us in, too.
Evocative and beautiful, they invited conversation, pulled at our heartstrings, conjured old memories and inspired future travel. In them, we saw visual representations of why we schlep baggage, cram our bodies into tiny seats and even pay money to do so: for the people we meet, the new perceptions we gain and the emotions we feel — being wholly present chief among them.
This story is special for other reasons, too. Our 10th contest is our first since the pandemic began, and it feels good to be back, celebrating travel advisors doing what they do best — traveling and sharing their journeys with their colleagues and clients. From riding camels in search of adventure to sunbathing solo in the Mediterranean Sea, these photos remind us of the experiences that human beings perpetually pursue if they are lucky enough. On that note, we wish you a fortuitous 2023, full of life-affirming travel for you and your clients alike.
First Place: Julie Patterson, Wanderfully Planned, Holland, Mich.
“One of the highlights in Wadi Rum, Jordan, is riding a camel, so a small group of us decided to hitch a ride to experience the sunrise, killing two birds with one stone. I was circling the camels and grabbing shots at every angle when I saw how the white camel was perfectly framed in the saddle of its flock mate; the sun was just starting to peek up over the hills in the background, bringing the desert to life; and the palm trees were silhouetted against the rising sun.”
“I was lucky that there was some haze in the mid-ground, offering a cool effect with the palm trees and the hills in the distance. The way the sand is naturally textured by the wind, the Jeep tracks and the camel prints also worked perfectly for the shot, with the lines mirroring those of the horizon. It just screamed ‘this is Jordan.’”
Second Place: Antoine D. Wilson, A.D. Elite Travels, Miami
“I have always wanted to witness the Great Migration crossing the Mara River in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. I was warned going into it that the animals are unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that I would witness the migration crossing the river. Well, I guess it was my lucky day, because I got to see two separate crossings. It was an adrenaline rush, and the sound of the stampede gave me chills. It was as if someone blew a whistle or school let out — the animals were coming from everywhere. From the dust rising in the air to the sound of the water and the grunts from the animals, I am so ready to return to the Serengeti.”
Third Place: Angie Brandt, Both Worlds Travel, Raleigh, N.C.
“This summer, my family and friends chartered our own catamaran from Athens to the surrounding islands. This was my last morning swim of the vacation, relishing in the calmness, the beauty and simplicity of this area. We took a lot of footage during that trip, but we learned quickly we had to be cautious for a few reasons. In Greece, it is very common to see people in the nude, either bathing or swimming at any time of day right off their boat and right next to you.”
“Also, using a drone on a boat is very challenging for an amateur. Boats are constantly moving even when not underway, which makes launching and landing somewhat difficult. I recommend making a list of shots you want, including a general idea of how you plan to use the footage. Embrace the spontaneous moments, however, and do not delete anything. You could even uncover hidden gems, just like this photo. My image encapsulates the dreamy quality of the Mediterranean and brings a visceral, sensory component to it, evoking emotion and fueling the flames of wanderlust.”
Honorable Mention: Sydney Zaruba, Explorateur Travel/The Boho Traveller, Palatka, Fla.
“Visiting the Sahara Desert was one of the great adventures of my life. Not only was it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but we happened across an afternoon thunderstorm, and my Florida girl heart had to go dance in the rain.”
“Never in a million years did I expect to see a Sahara rainstorm, but it’s a memory that will be told to my family for generations to come. I threw out the tripod, set the self-timer and started running and dancing, and managed to snap this self-portrait.”
Honorable Mention: Julie Patterson, Wanderfully Planned, Holland, Mich.
“Photography is such a huge part of my travel experience, and capturing this hummingbird in the wild in Monteverde, Costa Rica, reminded me again how fortunate I am to be a small part of this great big, beautiful world.”
“I probably took 1,000 photos to get 30 good shots, this being one of the best. Hummingbirds move between 20-30 miles per hour, so the fact that I was able to capture such a crisp, clean image of such a tiny bird was incredible.”
Honorable Mention: Lauren Quirk, Travel With Character, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
“The old man was a musician playing a barrel organ on a side street near the main square of Bruges, Belgium. As a music lover and a performer myself, I love the moments where music enhances the world we experience. Whether it’s a guitarist at an outdoor cafe, a choir of children singing in a cathedral, a guitarist at an outdoor cafe, this man in the cobblestone square or even a piano player at a crowded airport, music and travel go hand in hand.”
“I rendered the photo in a monochrome style, as I thought it complemented the antiquity of the organ and its tune. When traveling, it’s not just the historical buildings and sights that draw us. The art, culture, people and, in this case, music, are also important reasons why we explore.”
Honorable Mention: Vicki Winters, Bucket List Travelers, Brooklyn, N.Y.
“We had just finished kayaking, and then we got onto a Zodiac from our ship, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator, to sail over to Brown Station. I am one of the lucky few who will ever get to go to this remote location, and I wanted to capture some of the interesting scenery.”
“It is so inspiring to me to think about the animals and humans who live in these wild weather conditions and solitude. I am so thankful for and impressed by those who are studying the environment and doing this incredibly important scientific research. This photo really tells a story of both how the station remains today and how penguins live.”
Honorable Mention: Melanie Rodriguez, Travel With Character, Leesburg, VA.
“We were visiting Awana Kancha Camelids Center in Cusco, Peru, a refuge for llamas, alpacas and vicunas, run entirely by local women. As we were getting the tour, we saw the large open pen of all the animals and were handed a bouquet of grass and told, ‘We’ll give a prize to whoever takes the best selfie with a llama.’”
“I love a photo challenge, and luckily for me, I found a vicuna who was obsessed with the smell of my shampoo. He followed me around the whole time and I did get multiple selfies with him, but as we were wrapping up and getting ready to go inside to the shop, I knew I had to get a portrait of my new best friend.”
Honorable Mention: Julie Patterson, Wanderfully Planned, Holland, Mich.
“I am always scanning for moments worthy of a photo. The day at this school in Uganda was no different. The kids were smiling and singing, so full of joy and happiness. It was absolutely infectious. When I saw the boys peering out at me from the window, I instinctually knew this was going to be a good shot and raised my camera to capture the scene.”
“They set themselves up perfectly, with one boy centered as the focal point, while two of his classmates flanked him on either side, with more of their peers’ shadows in the background. [The boy in the center] also really helped me out by positioning himself directly in the middle of the bars, which helped me tell a pretty compelling story.”