From the series Night of Sorrows – the Yacente Procession of Zamora, Holy Thursday by Athanasios Maloukas
A Greek civil engineer and award-winning amateur photographer has been named Travel Photographer of the Year 2025.
Athanasios Maloukos has been recognised for images of spiritual ceremonies including whirling dervishes in Konya, Turkey and hooded mourners during Holy Thursday in Zamora, Spain.
Maloukos is drawn to religious practices across the world, from Asian shamanism to Anatolian mysticism and African ritual trance to Himalayan monastic solitude.
His mesmerising work leads a gallery of winning and finalist images exploring the diverse existence of Siberian fishers, Arabian red foxes, camel herders in Oman and soaring birds at Iguazú Falls, Brazil.
Here, we bring you ten of our favourite pictures. You can also explore the full gallery of winning and finalist images from Travel Photographer of the Year.
1. Overall Winner: Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 – Athanasios Maloukos (Greece)
From the series Whirling Devotion, Konya, Turkey by Athanasios Maloukos
2. Winner: Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 (14 and under) – Naomi Cech (Czech Republic/Czechia)
‘Forest near town of Kraliky, the Czech Republic’ by Naomi Cech
3. Portfolio Winner: Adventures and Experiences – Sara Bardotti (Italy)
From the series Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, Russia by Sara Bardotti
4. Portfolio Winner: Landscape, Weather and Climate – Paul Sansome (UK)
‘Norðurfjörður, Árneshreppur, Iceland’ by Paul Sansome
5. Portfolio Winner: Culture, Heritage and Beliefs – Mitchell Kanashkevich (Australia)
From the series Ouadane, Mauritania by Mitchell Kanashkevich
6. One Shot Winner: Green Planet – John Edwards (USA)
‘Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukhothai, Thailand’ by John Edwards
7. Portfolio Winner: Wildlife, Sealife, Birdlife – Mohammad Murad (Kuwait)
From the series Kuwait Seaside, Kuwait by Mohammad Murad
8. One Shot Winner: Travel Portraits – Rahsan Firtina (Turkey)
‘Hanoi, Vietnam’ by Rahsan Firtina
9. Winner: Rising Talent – RPS member Sue O’Connell (UK)
‘Iguazú Falls, Brazil’ by Sue O’Connell
10. Single Image Winner: Wildlife, Sealife and Birdlife – Kevin Yu Shi (USA)
‘Torres del Paine, Chile’ by Kevin Yu Shi
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