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2025 SATW Bill Muster Photo Awards Announced

Nov 25, 2024 | Blog

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 Past 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, 2024, and entrants must be SATW members.

The following awards were announced at the 2024 SATW Convention in İstanbul, Türkiye.

2025 Photographer of the Year

Gold: Mark Downey ‎

Silver: Donnie Sexton ‎

Bronze: Eric Lindberg ‎

Single Subject

Gold: Bob Holmes ‎

Silver: Ellen Clark ‎

Bronze: Vanessa Dewson ‎

Action Adventure

Gold: David Stock ‎

Silver: Kerrick James ‎

Bronze: Debi Lander ‎

Animal

Gold: Vanessa Dewson

Silver: Karin Pezo

Bronze: Dave Bouskill

Architecture

Gold: William Tang

Silver: Brad Johnson

Bronze: Debi Lander

Culture

Gold: Cosmo Condina

Silver: Juliana Broste

Bronze: Carol Waller

Merit Award: Kerrick James

Merit Award: Shel Zolkewich

Food

Gold: Lisa Ballard

Silver: Doug Peebles

Bronze: Len Garrison

Merit Award: Brad Johnson

Natural Scenic

Gold: Dino Vournas

Silver: Carol Waller

Bronze: Robin Karpan

People (General)

Gold: Kerrick James

Silver: Doug Stremel

Bronze: Christopher Baker

People Portrait

Gold: Christopher Baker

Silver: Sherry Spitsnaugle

Bronze: Bob Holmes

Merit Award: Katy Koontz

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