New York, NY – June 1, 2022 Submissions for the prestigious Bill Muster Photo Awards, presented by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), will be accepted beginning today, June 1 through June 30. Open to all SATW members, including amateurs as well as professional photographers, this contest is one of the most highly respected and sought after by the most talented photographers in the travel industry.

Named for renowned photographer, publisher and tourism executive, Bill Muster, the Bill Muster Photo Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievements in travel photography. Since its inception in 1981, Bill Muster’s ongoing generosity has supported SATW’s presentation of the Awards for travel photography in a range of categories awarded at the annual convention.

Christine Loomis, the chair of SATW’s 2023 Bill Muster Photo Awards, said “the contest is a unique opportunity in the travel industry to showcase the depth and breadth of each photographer’s portfolio and talent. Entries encompass wide ranging topics, destinations and subjects from around the world. And, for professional and amateur photographers, SATW provides a vital professional networking platform with organizations and destinations in the travel industry and supports its members with educational and travel opportunities.”

Award categories range from culture, people, and nature to single subject and overall portfolios that represent a more comprehensive look at a photographer’s work. All images must have been shot between July 2020 – June 2022. Unlike past contests, photos taken during June 2022 may be submitted. Also, photos do not need to have been published in order to be submitted. 

This year’s registration and submission period is June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022. The entry fee is $35. There is no late registration this year as the convention is earlier than usual. Full competition rules and information on how to enter are found here. Active, Associate, and Emeritus members all have an equal opportunity to enter and win cash prizes, up to and including the $1,000 Photographer of the Year award.

The Bill Muster Photo Awards will be announced at SATW’s annual 2022 Convention held this year in Bogotá, Colombia, and will be featured in the Bill Muster Photography Showcase presentation. Although registration for the convention is now closed, new members are welcome to apply before the Muster deadline is up and applications are available at https://satw.org/join-us/

Named a UNESCO City of Music, Bogotá showcases 60 annual music festivals and over 500 live music venues. Once maligned, graffiti has turned into colorful street art, and even one of their own, DjLu, is nicknamed the “Banksy of Bogotá.”  Universities and libraries in nearly every block belie the country’s violent past and point to its well-educated populace and peaceful future. This capital city is also the gateway to an extraordinary country. Colombia’s natural and cultural assets are numerous and plentiful. Almost twice the size of Texas, Colombia is the world’s second most biodiverse country with 56,343 species, and it is the leading country in terms of the number of birds, orchids, and palm species. The country features 314 different ecosystems across its six natural regions: Andean, Pacific, Caribbean, Orinoquía, Amazon, and Insular.

Founded in 1955, SATW remains the nation’s premier professional travel media organization comprising nearly 1,000 of the travel industry’s most experienced journalists, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, media relations experts and hospitality industry representatives from the United States, Canada and beyond. All members must meet and maintain the industry’s highest standards of productivity, ethics and conduct, and support SATW’s mission of “Inspiring Travel through Responsible Journalism.”

SATW and its members are forever meeting and overcoming the challenges of the changing media landscape. As a result, the organization is a vibrant resource in and to the travel industry and is valuable platform for bringing travel media and destinations together. SATW welcomes new applications and you can find information on the website at https://satw.org/join-us/

MEDIA REQUESTS: For additional information and interviews with SATW President Elizabeth Harryman Lasley, contact SATW’s External Communications Manager, Victoria Larson, victoria@vklarsoncommunications.com. For information about SATW and its membership, please contact SATW Executive Director Marla Schrager, mschrager@satw.org.

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