Chris Coe. Travel Photographer of the Year
Photo Award: Travel Photographer of the Year
In this exclusive interview, we speak with Chris Coe, the founder of the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year Award. With over two decades of experience running the competition, Chris shares his passion for nature, the evolution of photography from film to digital, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that make this international award a success.
We also discussed the impact of media exposure for winners, the importance of photographic quality, and the future of photography in the time of AI.
We also discussed the impact of media exposure for winners, the importance of photographic quality, and the future of photography in the time of AI.
"We’re a photography award, not an illustration award — it’s about your skill with a camera, not your skill with software."
— Today we are talking to Chris Coe, the founder of Travel Photographer of the Year Award. Great meeting you, Chris. The first question is why the travel photography contest?
— Hi, great to be here. Yes, I’m both the founder of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) and a professional photographer myself. The award has been running for 21 years now. I’ve always had a deep love for nature and spend as much time as I can outdoors. But TPOTY wasn’t created just for nature photography—it was designed to showcase the full diversity of travel photography.
People often think of travel as one genre, but it actually encompasses many: people and cultures, landscapes, wildlife, the natural world. The awards were structured to reflect that. Every year we include categories that celebrate both human stories and the environment. It gives photographers a chance to submit work across all these areas and be judged among peers within specific themes.
People often think of travel as one genre, but it actually encompasses many: people and cultures, landscapes, wildlife, the natural world. The awards were structured to reflect that. Every year we include categories that celebrate both human stories and the environment. It gives photographers a chance to submit work across all these areas and be judged among peers within specific themes.
— You mentioned the contest has been running for 21 years. That’s impressive. It must be one of the oldest of its kind?
— It is certainly one of the longest-running major photo awards. When we started, everything was done on film—prints, slides, transparencies. Digital didn’t exist yet, so the entire process was completely different.
— So over the years, the contest evolved alongside photography itself?
— Exactly. We witnessed the full transition from film to digital. Early on, even experienced photographers struggled with the new digital format, but as the technology improved, their skills shone through. That shift also changed how people approach photography. Film forces you to think carefully before you shoot—about light, exposure, aperture. With digital, some photographers take a "shoot now, fix later" approach, especially with editing tools. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to over-processing—just because you can doesn't mean you should. It reveals a lot about the photographer’s mindset and technique.
— What were some of the biggest challenges in building and running the contest over the years?
— At the start, getting visibility was the biggest challenge. We had to make people aware the contest even existed. Managing submissions was also a logistical nightmare—each physical entry had to be labeled and cataloged anonymously.
Once digital submissions became possible, we developed a platform that allows photographers to upload their images from anywhere. Each entrant has a private section, and the judges view entries anonymously. It took five or six years to perfect, but we now have a smooth and efficient system. When a photographer is shortlisted, they upload high-resolution files via a secure link, which is then used for final judging and exhibitions.
Once digital submissions became possible, we developed a platform that allows photographers to upload their images from anywhere. Each entrant has a private section, and the judges view entries anonymously. It took five or six years to perfect, but we now have a smooth and efficient system. When a photographer is shortlisted, they upload high-resolution files via a secure link, which is then used for final judging and exhibitions.
— Let’s talk about prizes. What do photographers actually gain from entering TPOTY?
— There are, of course, physical prizes, but the real reward is exposure. Our winners get incredible international attention. For example, this year the results were featured on the BBC News homepage. From there, the news spreads—MailOnline, global websites, local press.
One recent winner from Slovenia, an architect by profession, has been invited to conferences, featured on TV and radio—it's transformed her visibility. Another winner documented the last of the Northern White Rhinos, and his work has continued to circulate worldwide, long after his win.
One recent winner from Slovenia, an architect by profession, has been invited to conferences, featured on TV and radio—it's transformed her visibility. Another winner documented the last of the Northern White Rhinos, and his work has continued to circulate worldwide, long after his win.
— How do photographers find out about your open calls? Is social media a key tool?
— We rely on a combination of press coverage and Instagram. The media attention from past winners acts as a signal. Instagram helps, especially because it's a visual platform, but press releases still reach a broader audience. It’s important that photographers hear about the themes early on, so they can shoot specifically for the competition rather than just searching their archive.
— With AI-generated imagery becoming more common, is that a concern for TPOTY?
— It’s not a threat, but it does mean more work. We’re a photography competition—not an illustration contest—so we don’t allow generative AI. It’s about camera skills, not software manipulation. We’ve adapted our rules to reflect that. Any shortlisted image must be backed up with the original RAW or untouched file for verification. It's a lot of work on our end, but necessary to maintain the award’s integrity.
— Thank you. Wishing a successful Awards!
— That's a really good timing. Thank you!