APL is excited to introduce this year’s esteemed judging panel of the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photography Competition, bringing their expertise in visual storytelling, composition and technical skill. 

Meet the judges: 

• Andrew Reiner, food and travel photographer based in Mexico City 
• Celeste Noche, documentary and editorial photographer based in USA 
• Daniella Zalcman, photojournalist, Founder and Executive Director of Women Photograph based in New Orleans, LA 
• David Barreda, Community Director for Diversify Photo and former Senior Photo Editor at National Geographic based in Oakland, California 
• Hayley Benoit, a portrait, commercial and editorial photographer based in London, UK 
• Renato Granieri, wildlife and travel photographer based in London, UK 

The panel will be looking for the most spectacular travel shots across six categories, from captivating landscapes to dynamic city scenes. 

The categories:  

• People: More often than not, it’s the people you encounter that make a trip — but it can be difficult capturing the character of someone you’ve only just met. Have you managed it?  
  
• City life: Labyrinthine souks, striking architecture, edgy street art — life in cities takes on many forms. Finding your subject amid the hubbub is the key to urban photography.  
  
• Landscape: Shooting a landscape might seem easy, but few can really draw out the defining features. Can you identify intriguing contrasts, or show a level of detail that others can’t see?
• Wildlife: Wildlife is one of the great wonders of travel. Spotting creatures in their natural habitat often requires luck – capturing them requires skill.  
  
• Food: Whether it’s a local farmer bringing in the harvest or chefs hard at work in a street kitchen, this category celebrates every stage of the culinary journey from field to fork.  
  
• Portfolio: The portfolio category demands more than a single stunning photograph — up to 10 images should combine to tell a multifaceted yet cohesive story of a destination, whether it fits into one of the other categories or encompasses them all.  

The prize: 

The Grand Prize winner, from the six categories, will receive a luxury three-night escape to a UK hotel of their choice, courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). With over 600 hotels in 90 destinations, including 36 in the UK, SLH offers boutique stays with a strong sense of place, from chic city-centre hotels to rustic fishermen’s huts. The prize includes the SLH Book, a limited-edition coffee-table book featuring the brand’s beautifully curated portfolio.  

For the chance to have work published in the magazine, enter by 28 February 2025, 11.59pm. To enter, click here 

The winner must be a resident of the UK or Ireland and aged 18 or over. To see full T&C’s, click here 

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About APL Media    
An award-winning publisher and content marketing agency founded in 1997, APL Media Limited has been changing the narrative, and the way clients communicate with their audiences, for over 27 years. In addition to publishing the award-winning magazines National Geographic Traveller (UK) and Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK) and organising related events under the National Geographic brand umbrella, APL Media produces print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sector. aplmedia.co.uk