Travel Boldly, the theme of this year’s Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest, invited travelers to look beyond the postcard moment and capture what it truly means to explore. From the icy wilderness of Antarctica to the warmth of childhood joy, the winning entries reveal the power of perspective and the unbreakable human connection that drives adventure.

Every traveler carries a story, and every photograph holds a heartbeat. This year, Global Rescue’s annual Photo and Video Contest brought together a global community of explorers — trekkers, mountaineers, families, and filmmakers — who submitted thousands of entries from every corner of the world.

The 2025 contest theme, Travel Boldly, resonated deeply with participants navigating an ever-changing travel landscape. After years of uncertainty, travelers have rediscovered their confidence, venturing farther, reaching higher and seeing the world through lenses that capture both wonder and resilience.

“Each entry told a story, not just of a place, but of perspective,” said Michael Holmes, Global Rescue’s Head of Marketing. “The photos and videos submitted this year reveal how travelers are embracing the world with open eyes and open hearts, finding beauty in movement, connection and adventure.”

 

Video and Photo Contest Honoring Vision, Creativity and Courage

With nearly $10,000 in prizes and a distinguished panel of judges representing National Geographic, The New York Times, Outside and Travel Weekly, the contest celebrated excellence in visual storytelling across four categories:

In The Wild

Accidentally Perfect

Between Here and There

Life In Motion (Video)

Each category invited entrants to interpret “Travel Boldly” in their own way — from the stillness of an untouched landscape to the chaos of a perfect candid moment.

“The diversity of vision among the winners shows that travel storytelling is alive and thriving,” said contest judge Jen Murphy, an award-winning freelance journalist covering adventure travel for The New York Times, Outside and Conde Nast Traveler. “Every frame, photo or video, brought us closer to the essence of what it means to explore boldly.”

 

In The Wild: The Power of Perspective

In The Wild is the category designed to highlight nature’s untamed beauty and the human impulse to explore it.

Passing Ancient Villages by Edward Dieppe

Winner: Crossing on the Algae River by Muhammad Amdad-Hossain
Judges were captivated by the image’s color, balance and movement.

“The colors in the shot are beautiful,” said Murphy. “I love the composition and how the photo captures the movement of the water and seaweed. The aerial angle gives a fresh dimension.”

National Geographic photographer Ben Horton praised its unique perspective: “I love the angle this is taken from, and the various patterns.”

Antarctica by Bryce Hill

Runner-Up: Antarctica by Bryce Hill
“Stark, moody, beautifully composed and incredible light,” said Berne Broudy, an outdoor journalist, photographer and filmmaker whose work appears in Outside, Popular Science and National Geographic Adventure. Geoffrey Morrison, a travel writer and photographer for CNET, Wirecutter and The New York Times, added “An incredible sense of scale. Wonderful desolation.”

 

Accidentally Perfect: The Poetry of Real Life

The Accidentally Perfect category celebrates the unscripted beauty of human moments; those fleeting seconds of laughter, contrast or connection that can never be staged.

Breaking Away by Barry Crosthwaite

Winner: Breaking Away by Barry Crosthwaite
“With an almost deceptive simplicity, this photo is very strong,” said Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly. “Its off-center composition is a study in balance: the age differences of the subjects, the nun’s black and white habit versus the colorful background. The little girl’s arm forms a graceful arc to complement the arches behind her.”

Joy of Childhood by Muhammad Amdad-Hossain

Runner-Up: Joy of Childhood by Muhammad Amdad-Hossain
“The photo is pure joy, not dampened in the least by its muted colors. Wonderful ‘accidental’ composition,” said Weissmann.

Allie Savage, Global Rescue’s award-winning video editor, added: “People soup! I like the authenticity. A candid moment showing group fun, great colors and balance.”

 

Between Here and There: The Journey, Not Just the Destination

Few things define travel better than the moments between destinations: the bus breakdowns, border crossings and quiet stretches of road where stories unfold.

Let’s Move On by Cristina Corti

Winner: Let’s Move On by Cristina Corti
“I love the collection of people you see working together,” said Chelsea Bakos-Kallgren, a designer and contest judge. “Even when faced with bus problems, the travelers and locals come together. It’s a wonderful story of community and perseverance.”

Passing Ancient Villages by Edward Dieppe

Runner-Up: Passing Ancient Villages by Edward Dieppe
“I like the dichotomy of the rural locals and the Westerner on the bike and how the locals aren’t even glancing his way,” said Murphy. “That mix of cultures tells a larger story of travel.”

Life In Motion: The Art of Adventure Filmmaking

The Life In Motion category celebrated the dynamism of video storytelling: movement, emotion and the rhythm of adventure.

 

 

Winner: Peru Mountaineering by Usman Raj
“It’s a really cool perspective in a really cool place,” said Horton, the acclaimed photographer for National Geographic and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Morrison added, “Great use of a variety of cameras to show a varied and gorgeous landscape.”

 

 

Runner-Up: Uyuni, Bolivia by Timothy Parrant
“Stunning footage,” said Broudy. Bakos-Kallgren praised its emotional tone: “This video opens in a gorgeous otherworldly setting, then transitions to the lush Amazon, giving the viewer a more serene perspective of an extreme sport.”

 

The Global Language of Exploration

Across all categories, one theme stood out: travel is more than the pursuit of beauty. It’s a practice of empathy, curiosity and courage.

“Photography and video have always been powerful ways to bridge cultural divides,” said Joseph Lambert, Global Rescue’s design manager and visual strategist. “What we see in these entries is a world of travelers who are not only adventurous but also deeply connected — to people, to place and to purpose.”

That philosophy echoes Global Rescue’s own mission: enabling travelers to explore confidently, knowing that medical and security support are always within reach. Whether summiting peaks, traversing deserts or documenting family adventures abroad, members can focus on the trip, knowing help is only a call away.

 

Celebrating Storytellers Who Travel Boldly

The 2025 Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest winners embody what it means to “Travel Boldly” — to explore with intention, to embrace uncertainty and to see the world not as observers, but as participants.

Each image and video is a reminder that adventure doesn’t always happen at the edge of the world. Sometimes, it’s found in the kindness of strangers, the shimmer of light on water or the laughter shared in a faraway market.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

Bold travel requires confidence, and confidence comes from preparation. Whether you’re trekking through the Himalayas, photographing wildlife in the Serengeti or filming your next great adventure in the Andes, knowing that expert medical and security support is available 24/7 makes all the difference.

Our memberships provide:

  • Field rescue in the event of illness or injury, even from remote or high-altitude locations.
  • Medical evacuation and transport to your home hospital of choice.
  • Medical and security advisory services, anytime, anywhere.
  • Global risk management support for travelers, expeditions, and enterprises.

Adventure is unpredictable. But with Global Rescue, you can travel boldly, and return safely.