The SATW Bill Muster Photo Awards recognizes excellence in photography and is named for renowned photographer Bill Muster, who generously established a foundation to support this annual travel photography award. Since 1981 SATW has presented the Muster Awards and...
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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, 2022, and June 30, 2023, and entrants must be SATW members.
The following awards were announced at the 2023 SATW Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2024 Photographer of the Year
Gold: Eric Lindberg
Silver: Doug Peebles
Bronze: Carol Waller
Single Subject
Gold: Donnie Sexton
Silver: Art Meripol
Bronze: Cory Lee
Action Adventure
Gold: Stuart Dee
Silver: Mark Downey
Bronze: Mary Love
Merit Award: Vanessa Dewson
Animal
Gold: Kari Bodnarchuk
Silver: Mark Downey
Bronze: Robin Karpan
Merit Award: Greg Vaughn
Architecture
Gold: Juliana Broste
Silver: Cosmo Condina
Bronze: Susan Portnoy
Merit Award: April Orcutt
Culture
Gold: Vanessa Dewson
Silver: Mark Downey
Bronze: Laura Watilo Blake
Merit Award: Susan Portnoy
Food
Gold: Kevin Wagar
Silver: Susan Portnoy
Bronze: Art Meripol
Merit Award: April Orcutt
Natural Scenic
Gold: Debi Lander
Silver: Mark Downey
Bronze: Eric Stoen
Merit Award: Sandra Foyt
People (General)
Gold: Christopher Baker
Silver: Eric Stoen
Bronze: Lindsay Nieminen
Merit Award: Eric Stoen
People Portrait
Gold: Susan Portnoy
Silver: Mark Downey
Bronze: Stuart Dee
Merit Award: Chuck Cecil