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2023 SATW Bill Muster Photo Awards Announced
Ferris Wheel at Sunset – Blaine Harrington III, photographer
Named for the late Bill Muster, a renowned photographer and SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) member, the SATW Bill Muster Photo Awards recognize excellence in travel photography featuring nature, people, and cultures.
After serving in WWII, Bill Muster graduated from the University of Illinois and devoted his life to capturing images for newspapers and media companies. He was a venerated member of the SATW community. Since 1981, SATW has presented the Muster Awards and cash prizes for travel photography in a range of categories. After Bill Muster died in 1989, his children Nori and Bill Jr., generously continued their father’s legacy with an annual gift that funds the cash prizes awarded.
“Photographers tell stories with their cameras,” said SATW President Elizabeth Harryman Lasley, “and travel photographers use arresting images to reveal insights into the world’s landscapes, cultures, and people. The SATW Bill Muster Photo Awards honor some of North America’s best practitioners of this visual storytelling. We’re so grateful for the Muster family’s support of this award, one of the most prestigious in travel journalism.”
The awards are presented annually at SATW’s annual convention The images must have been taken between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, and entrants must be SATW members.
The following awards were announced at the 2022 SATW Convention in Bogota, Colombia.
2023 Photographer of the Year
Gold: Blaine Harrington III
Silver: Eric Lindberg
Bronze: David Stock Jr.
Single Subject
Gold: Robert Holmes
Silver: Art Meripol
Bronze: Sherry Spitsnaugle
Action Adventure
Gold: Greg Vaughn
Silver: Donnie Sexton
Bronze: Kerrick James
Merit Award: Karilyn Owen
Animal
Gold: Laura Watilo Blake
Silver: Robin Karpan
Bronze: Steve Rosenberg
Merit Award: David Swanson
Culture
Gold: Laura Watilo Blake
Silver: Karin Pezo
Bronze: Greg Vaughn
Natural Scenic
Gold: Mark Downey
Silver: Carol Waller
Bronze: Carol Waller
Merit Award: Laura Watilo Blake
People (General)
Gold: Kerrick James
Silver: Karilyn Owen
Bronze: Lina Stock
People Portrait
Gold: Donnie Sexton
Silver: Robert Holmes
Bronze: Karin Pezo