We received nearly 800 photo and video entries for the 2023 Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest. And every one of them was an outstanding representation of how everyone has been traveling boldly during the travel rebound in a post-pandemic world.

“Travelers have a growing desire for genuine, meaningful and extraordinary experiences in an increasingly globalized and connected world. That’s why the contest theme is Travel Boldly. The spirit and passion reflected in the images submitted can only be defined as bold,” said Michael Holmes, VP Marketing at Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.

The contest featured five categories:

  1. On the Edge – Images of experiences slightly beyond the comfort zone of the subjects.
  2. Bleisure – Travel images that combine business and leisure.
  3. Urban Exploration – Images that feature the architecture, food and culture of a city.
  4. Family – Images that depict family togetherness through travel.
  5. Video – Travel video content that vividly portrays world exploration in all of its forms.

 

And the Category Winners Are…

 

A woman paragliding upside down high above the desert.

 

On the Edge – Leah Catullo, for her photo “Balloons Over Rum.” She will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Chile Nativo Travel extravaganza for two people to hike and boat the famous W trail’s three major attractions in the Torres del Paine National Park region.

“A unique perspective of a rare activity over an uncommon area. Good stuff,” said contest judge Geoffrey Morrison, a travel writer and photographer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

 

An man hits a drum as native Papua New Guinean men dressed in traditional dress dance around him.

 

Bleisure – Jason Wang, for his photo “Huli Wigmen of Papua New Guinea.” He will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Manu Canoe & Culture 5-day expedition for one in 2024.

“Great moment shared by people of different cultures,” said contest judge Mark Edward Harris, a photographer whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler and many others.

 

A man wearing a red bandana holds a sparkler with several others in celebration.

 

Urban Exploration – Matias Alvarez, for his photo “Barcelona Festival Nights.” He will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Sun Safaris 4-night safari to Kruger National Park in South Africa for two people.

“The energy captured in this photo is contagious! Despite the chaotic scene, the photographer was able to isolate a face in the crowd for the viewer to connect with. You feel like you’re with them in the middle of all the excitement,” said contest judge Chelsea Bakos-Kallgren, Global Rescue’s graphic designer whose past design talents have shaped the brands of Simon Pearce, CBRE Group, National Park Service, Shire Digital and Cloudbank Inc. She’s won numerous awards for design: print, digital and best in show.

 

Three young sisters stand on top of a rocky point overlooking green mountains under a cloudy blue sky.

 

Family – James Darter, for his photo “On Top of the World.” He will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and an Aylmer Lake Lodge 5-day fishing trip for two people in July/August 2024.

“Great framing of a core memory moment,” said contest judge Geoffrey Morrison.

 

Video – Tessum Weber, for his video, “Greenland Heliski Mission.” He will receive a Global Rescue 14-day membership, a $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, a $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, and a Polarquest Dog Sledding Expeditions trip for one in Lapland, Finland.

“The captivating music grabs the viewer right away, great pacing and alternating speeds to hold our attention, not to mention breathtaking scenery,” said contest judge Anna Haines, an award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Insider, AFAR, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, and Eater.

 

What About the Grand Prize?

Of the hundreds of photo and video submissions we received, the judges selected one that stood out among the rest, capturing the essence of what it means to Travel Boldly.

And the winner is…

 

A massive sand dune dwarfs a man walking across a desert with two dead trees near him.

 

Barry Crosthwaite for his photo, “Big Daddy.” He will receive an Annual Global Rescue Annual membership, $500 Life Happens Outdoors Gift Certificate, $500 Climbing the Seven Summits Gift Certificate, $5,000 Your Private Africa Gift Certificate, $500 Rise Up Surf Certificate for 2024, €150 Gift Certificate for the LeRipp Worldwide Mountain Bike Holiday, Buy 1, Get 1 Free for The Secret Atlas South Georgia Wildlife and Photography Expedition Cruise Tour in the Falkland Islands scheduled for Feb. 24 to Mar. 9, 2024, and 80% off a Voygr Expeditions Snow Leopard Excursion in Ladakh, India.

“Out of all the photos, I keep looking back to this one,” said contest judge Alessandra Amodio, an American fine art photographer based in New York City where she is Digital Photo Editor at Travel + Leisure.  “The use of shadows to tell the story makes it so strong. The colors, shapes and lines of the natural landscape are so visually captivating. It’s such a calm and peaceful photo but somehow so exciting to see.”

“As the travel rebound continues, the traveler appetite for exploring the world is increasing. Today’s travelers are traveling boldly and increasingly seeking out new destinations that are unspoiled, less popular, more remote and sometimes a little riskier. It shows in the images and videos submitted by traveling photographers who found courage, determination, curiosity, wanderlust, character and flexibility in their subjects during a time when we are all grateful for it,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.

Congratulations to our winning photographers and videographer, and thanks to everyone who sent us their captivating visuals. They reminded all of us here at Global Rescue of the power and importance of travel. Plus, they were just really fun to look through.

Until next time, continue to Travel Boldly!