Some things never change — which is an interesting statement to make in a year marked by twists and turns. From global uncertainty and economic volatility to adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence, most days of this year were full of surprises.
And while travel advisors have had to adapt their businesses to these challenges, it’s clear that the lure of their core product — travel — is timeless.
Indeed, the images that struck us the most in our 13th Annual Reader Photo Contest could have been taken decades ago. They capture the simple pleasure of swinging in the sun, the awe of beholding an enduring tradition and the startling human-likeness of a chimpanzee. They show us why we travel — and why Americans continue to prioritize experiences even during hard times. These photos remind us that traveling provides us with the moments of joy, meaning and connection that enrich our lives.
“My heart still races when I think about this moment. This was the only chimpanzee we saw on the ground in Kibale Forest, Uganda. After it heard my camera clicking, it came straight up to look at me before climbing up another tree.
This photo hangs in our living room now as a reminder that the universe provides what you need when you need it.
“It was the first moment where I sat as a silent observer to Mother Nature and, for one instant, felt at peace. A few weeks prior to this, my dad passed away. I had been his person while he was sick for two years, and his loss was devastating.
“There is truly no place in the world that I love being more than behind the lens of my camera. This photo hangs in our living room now as a reminder that the universe provides what you need when you need it.”
“The Chouara Tannery in Fez, Morocco, has been operating for nearly a millennium, its methods unchanged. There’s a powerful contrast here. The tannery floor is a world of muted browns and worn textures, the air thick with the pungent smell of lime and dye. The scene feels rough, raw and harsh until you remember what’s being made here.
Julie Patterson’s image of a Moroccan tannery took second place.
Credit: 2025 Julie Patterson“From these humble vats come some of the most luxurious leather goods in the world, prized for their beauty and craftsmanship. It’s a striking reminder that so many of the things we consider precious begin in places that don’t look like luxury at all. Diamonds, silk, leather — they all start in the hands of people working in environments shaped by tradition and grit. Beauty, it seems, is often born from perseverance, not perfection.”
“While visiting family near Diamond Head, Oahu, my daughter Malia drifted toward this swing at a friend’s beach house — a quiet moment in the middle of a beautiful Hawaiian summer day.
Our third-place photo was taken by Jeni Kay, who captured her daughter swinging at an Oahu beach.
Credit: 2025 Jeni Kay“I love this image because it pulls me back to a kind of simplicity that’s easy to forget as an adult. Most of my days now unfold in front of a computer, managing the consistent pace of modern life. But watching my daughter slip so naturally into this quiet moment — a swing, the ocean breeze, nothing urgent pulling at her — reminds me of my own childhood in Southern California in the ’70s, when days stretched long and unstructured, and you came home only when the light faded.
“This photo makes me feel nostalgic, but in a grateful way. It’s a reminder that ease and presence still exist, albeit in small pockets, and that I can allow myself to seek this out more in my daily life.”
Honorable Mention: Marcia Dillon, Caprice Travel
“Perched atop a rugged, lunar-like landscape, the Lamayuru Monastery in Ladakh, India, immediately captivates the eye. This ancient Buddhist sanctuary, dating back to the 11th century, was a magical place to interact with the monks.
Young monks share a playful moment in Ladakh, India.
Credit: 2025 Marcia Dillon“And these young monks were very glad to show us how they could speed along spinning the prayer wheels. We were allowed to wander around the monastery and take photos, as our guide has built up a good relationship with the monks over the many years he has visited here.”
Honorable Mention: Melanie Rodriguez, Life Is Better Traveling
“This image stands out because every time I look at it, I’m right back on that bear viewing boat at Alaska’s Redoubt Mountain Lodge, feeling the chill coming off the water and breathing in the glacier air. It instantly brings back the sense of scale, and how small we were in that boat.
A boat ride inspired this photo of Alaskan bears and wilderness.
Credit: 2025 Melanie Rodriguez“But I also remember noticing how tiny the baby bears were and wondering if they’d been born late in the season. It was Fat Bear Week and even though they’re animals, there was this moment of connection where I felt the same instinct I have with my own kids, hoping they’d find their footing and pull it together.”
Honorable Mention: Lorenzo Serluca, Dream Vacations
“Only by getting up close to Horseshoe Falls [of Niagara Falls] can you fully appreciate their power and scale. While on a boat tour, I was able to capture their majesty.
Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls in all its glory
Credit: 2025 Lorenzo Serluca“The overcast skies only further enhanced the energy of the place. The experience was extremely exhilarating and a reminder that Mother Nature is in charge.”
“It’s a humbling experience looking into an elephant’s eye, but this moment at the elephant orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya, was a bit different. I was looking into a baby elephant’s eye.
An up-close look at a baby elephant’s eye
Credit: 2025 Pat Silveri“Even at a young age, this elephant was conveying all her intelligence and rich emotional life, urging me to be more compassionate and live in harmony with our environment. Kenya really is a magical place, and this was a hint of the meaningful experiences to come.”
Honorable Mention: Jeni Kay, SeaBreeze Travel – Frosch by Chase Travel
“While working as a volunteer photographer for a nonprofit on Indonesia’s island of Java, I spotted a tuk-tuk driver in repose as he waited for his next ride. I love this image in part because it tells a full story through a single detail. The driver’s weathered hands and worn rings reveal decades of one man’s hard work, personal pride and identity — without ever needing to show his face.
A man’s hands reveal aspects of his identity.
Credit: 2025 Jeni Kay“As someone drawn to cultural anthropology, I’m fascinated by how small, ordinary moments can depict both divergent and shared human experiences. This photo is a quiet reminder of how much we can understand about one another through the details we often overlook.”
“There’s something magical about spotting a creature so small and hidden that most would walk right by without ever knowing it was there. The red-eyed tree frog is one of Costa Rica’s most common species, yet in the wild it’s a master of disguise. During the day, it tucks itself beneath broad jungle leaves, blending perfectly into the green of its surroundings. One morning in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, a flash of color caught my eye as a tiny frog rested still on a leaf, trusting its camouflage to keep it safe.
A brilliantly colored tree frog in Costa Rica
Credit: 2025 Julie Patterson“Finding him felt like uncovering a secret. His emerald skin mirrored the leaves around him, but his bright orange toes and scarlet eyes gave him away. I crouched low, careful not to disturb him, and in that quiet moment surrounded by dripping leaves and distant birds, I felt both exhilarated and humbled. Photography has taught me patience, and this encounter was a reminder that some of the most extraordinary things in nature aren’t loud or obvious — they are found only when you slow down and truly look.”
Check out our past TravelAge West Reader Photo Contest winners here:
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
