We are thrilled to announce the Top 100 Finalists for the WallMag Travel Photography Awards 2026! Shoot Travel · Submit · Win
🔗 Award Page: https://wallmag.io/awards/wallmag-travel-photography-awards-2026
- 📅 Finalists Announced: 25 September 2026
- 🏆 Winners Announced: 2 October 2026
- 🗳️ Voting Open Until: 2 October 2026
Why We Launched This Award
Travel photography has a credibility problem: the algorithm rewards the same twenty locations shot the same twenty ways. Meanwhile the photographers who actually travel slowly — who wait out a monsoon in a small town, who learn a place before photographing it — make work that almost nobody sees, because it does not look like the feed. We launched this award to put that work in front of a jury and a community that will judge the frame rather than the destination, and to give photographers outside the metros a stage that does not require knowing anyone.
How Are Finalists Selected?
Every entry was scored by the WallMag community. Over the entry window, creators, peers and readers voted on the work itself, and those votes decided this shortlist — nothing else. The 100 finalists below are the ones the community put forward. No editor overruled that, and no entry was advanced because of a follower count.
📖 Learn how our voting system works →
How Are Winners Decided?
This is where our jury joins in. From today, an independent panel scores the shortlist, and their evaluation carries 80% of the final standing while community votes carry the remaining 20%. Voting stays open while the jury works, so the community still has a real say in who takes the top three.
🗳️ Cast your vote before 2 October 2026!
The finalists below are listed by vote score, highest first. Final winners will be announced on 2 October 2026.
Miscellaneous Life
By: Nikita Malla
I'm a dentist who is also interested in creative work. I have a lot of interests apart from my profession one of which is street and candid photography. I love clicking candid pictures of everyday life and I have been doing that since 2 years. My series here showcases the pictures of mundane existence, a visual journal of unposed human interactions and moments.
Guardian of the Wild
By: Diptadip Roy
That dog was standing in front of the road , I was just standing behind . After a few minutes he is just barking and while looking at his back like he wants that I follow him . Then the bunch of monkeys came and I got another great shot . That dog standing in front of us like he is the guardian.
Where Light Meets Silence
By: Arit Dhar
A solitary figure stands immersed in the still waters as the sun slowly disappears beneath a dramatic sky. The contrast between the dark clouds, warm golden light, and reflective water creates a moment of quiet isolation. The photograph captures the fleeting transition between day and night, where the vastness of the landscape makes the human presence feel small yet deeply connected to the scene.
Wrath of Aghoris
Wrath of Aghoris A powerful glimpse into the fierce, raw, and spiritual world of Aghori tradition, capturing their intense presence amid smoke, devotion, and ritualistic energy.
Ganpati Bappa’s Agman
By: Nalayak_Kalakar
This striking photograph captures the grand essence of Ganesh Chaturthi, an annual Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Shot from a dramatic low angle, the perspective emphasizes the monumental scale and divine presence of the massive idol as it weaves through urban streets.
Hedam : Devine Power
By: Shivaji Dhute
The customs and traditions of each religion are different. Similarly, Halmat is a religion (Dhanagar community). Even though the life of this community is difficult and full of struggle, the people of this caste come together and worship their God with immense and heartfelt feelings. A grand palanquin is organized at different places according to the date.
Masks, Mortals and Mahakali
By: Ansh Jain
High in the Baspa Valley, the end of winter is marked not merely by a change in weather, but by a centuries-old ritual of spiritual renewal. Echoes of Bering Nag documents the sacred community theatre of Faguli and Holi in Sangla, where mythological epics and Himalayan animist beliefs converge on the village streets.
The Rhythm of Himachal Pradesh | Nati Folk Dance
By: Hrithik Saini
Deep in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, nearly five hours beyond Shimla, lies the remote region of Nankhari near Narkanda. Once a year, the local community comes together for a traditional Mela that is deeply rooted in faith, culture, and collective celebration. Before the Mela begins, the villagers gather to invite and worship their local deity.
Songs of the Andaman and Nicobar Island Sea
By: Afzal Khan
A lyrical exploration of the Andaman & Nicobar seascapes, where horizons stretch into infinity and every tide carries a whisper of timelessness. This series frames the ocean in its many moods, dawn light spilling across tranquil bays, clouds brooding over turquoise waters, and sunrise, sunset tracing delicate lines against the horizon.
A journey above the clouds
By: Dhyeya Sekhalia
So this all photos are taken by a quite enjoyable suffering of waking up at 2-4 am in the morning for the stars and the views but as a passionate photographer i would call it a win win
Life Of FIsher Village
By: Arnab Biswas
THIS PROJECT DESCRIBES ABOUT THE LIFE OF A FISHING COMMUNITY WHO LIVES ,SURVIVES AND THRIVES ALOMG SIDE THE WATER.THEY LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE AND ARE VERY CLOSE TO NATURE
लोग और पहाड़
By: Lakshay Chandna
Log aur Pahad is a visual exploration of the relationship between people and the landscapes they call home, pass through, or simply pause within. The series moves between intimate portraits, expansive landscapes and quiet frames made under the night sky, observing how human life exists alongside the scale and stillness of the mountains.
Kashi — Beyond Life and Death ⭐
By: Saurav
A documentary-style photography project capturing the raw and spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat. The series explores the relationship between life, death, tradition, faith, and the people who keep these ancient rituals alive. Through candid portraits, burning pyres, smoke-filled frames, and riverside moments, the project presents Kashi in its most authentic and timeless form.
A Symphony of Peaks
By: Pragya Varma
A breathtaking view of majestic mountains rising above a sea of clouds, capturing the raw beauty, serenity, and grandeur of nature.
Faces of Pushkar
By: Kuntal Paul
Faces of Pushkar highlights the vibrant energy of Rajasthan's famous camel fair. The series contrasts sweeping, dusty landscapes of camels at dawn with intimate scenes of daily life, such as locals sharing chai and decorating their animals. At its heart are striking portraits of weathered traders, mothers, and elaborately adorned holy figures.
A play of Shadows and nature
By: Subhankar Dhar
As a human being am always intrigued by the ever amalgating human interaction with nature and light , this photos are somewhat very own since the characters were all in their mind and I was in my mind while clicking them
Akshardham...
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville stands at an unusual intersection of faith, architecture, craftsmanship and migration. Built in the ancient Hindu tradition of the shilpa shastras, its intricately carved stone surfaces draw upon a visual language developed over centuries, yet the monument itself rises thousands of kilometres from the land where that tradition began.
Dancing Gods of Kerala, India.
By: Rahul Wedpathak
Different forms of traditional ritual Theyyam.
The Journey Beyond the Rain
By: Jaya Chandra V
After a passing rain, a quiet roadway transforms into a scene of reflection and hope. A traveler and an elderly companion cross the glistening street, their silhouettes framed by the bridge stretching toward the horizon. This image captures the essence of travel—not merely reaching destinations, but sharing moments, overcoming paths together, and finding beauty in everyday journeys.
Travel Photography
By: Kajal H
This shot i took from Shibuya sky. The view was so magnificent and the sunset view is etched for forever in my memory.
chandratal lake 8834
By: udayan kundu
chandratal lake with beautiful reflection of mountain
Maha Kumbh Mela
By: Mohd Asif Khan
This five photograph series documents the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. Rather than presenting the Kumbh only as a spectacle of crowds and rituals, the series looks at the people, practices and moments that give the gathering its spiritual and human character.
Travel photography
By: YOGA KUMAR
A visual journey capturing the beauty, people, culture, roads, landscapes, and everyday moments encountered while travelling. Through photography, I aim to tell authentic stories and showcase the character of each place from my perspective.
The Bagad Yatra
Bagad Yatra, a tradition that is more than 800 years old, showcases the roots of Maharashtra. Where emotion and devotion come together to celebrate the thrilling festival.
kandanar kelan Theyyam - kannur
By: Divyasree Hazare
The ultimate comeback story isn’t in the movies it’s in the sacred groves of North Kerala.🔥 Kandanar Kelan wasn't born a legend. He was actually a hardworking guy who spent his days clearing land for his mother. One day, while he was clearing some brush in Wayanad, a fire he started got totally out of control. To save himself, he climbed a gooseberry tree but he wasn't alone up there.
Many Stories, One India
By: Dev Rai
Many Stories, One India India is not a single story. It is a collection of countless moments, cultures, beliefs, celebrations, streets, structures and emotions — existing together in the same country. “Many Stories, One India” is a collection of ten photographs captured across different parts of India, each representing a different fragment of the country I see through my camera.
Traditional mask dance
By: Rupak Sinha
Dance for world's peace.
Coorg Trip
By: Astrin Rodrigues
We went for a trip to coorg for 2 days with cousins to experience the hidden destinations and experiencing its culture and nature
The Soul of Benaras
By: Ratnadip Das
The Soul of Benaras is a visual journey into these fleeting moments, capturing the people, rituals, silence, and everyday life that give this ancient city its enduring soul.
The vintage
By: Shreya Satish
The older one is still the aura
amalgam of sikkim and UAE
By: parv panchal
the above album consist of shots combined from two trips in sikkim and UAE
Photography
By: Manjunath S
Photography
Bio-diversity
By: TUSHAR SHARMA
A farmer stripped the jute fibers from the raw jute plants. The raw jute plants are soaked in shallow water. The pond is also used for fishing and duck farming.
Where the Gods Walk
By: Abhishek Sonwani
During my journey through Kerala, I encountered Theyyam not simply as a performance, but as a living tradition where devotion, fire, movement and community come together. These photographs capture two moments from that experience: one intimate glimpse of the performer and his extraordinary transformation, and another where he stands surrounded by fire, devotees and the energy of the ritual.
In the glow of memory
Captured during All Souls’ Day in a cemetery, this photograph portrays a quiet moment of remembrance. A child holds candles among flowers, adding a gentle warmth to the darkness of the surroundings. The glowing candles symbolize love, memory, and the enduring connection between those who are remembered and those who remain.
A journey carved in mist!
By: SUBHAJIT DATTA
A journey carved in mist - where cable cars drift above ancient forests, rising toward stone hands that hold the sky. Where mountains fade into infinity, and human imagination hangs weightless between earth and cloud. Ba Na Hills in Vietnam isn’t a place you reach — it’s a place that lifts you.
"Dubai- From first light to City lights"
By: Massera Siddique
“Dubai- From First Light to City Lights” is a five-photograph visual storytelling series capturing different visual moments from my visit to Dubai, arranged as a journey from morning to night. Rather than focusing only on famous landmarks, I wanted to document the changing atmosphere of the city through light, architecture, surroundings, and details that caught my attention.
Life’s lost color!
By: Disha Shah
Street Photography captures raw emotions and it’s hard to tell exactly what I want to showcase! Some might see different perspectives some might not! It’s open to interpretation!
On the way home
By: akshay S
The scenic route comes on the Kerala around Dharmapuri with a bit of monsoon magic on the western ghats
Capturing prescious things
By: Shreya Das
It's all about travel , culture, nature and life
'an architect in the pink city'
By: Diya Shah
seeing jaipur from an architect's perspective
Creator being created
By: Arindam Mullick
From the streets of Kolkata, West bengal, India this picture is the indication that countdown begins to celebrate one the biggest festivals of India as divinity is taking the form of mother through the artist.
Some of my best classes clicks
By: Pranay Kapahi
These are some of my best clicks, some are clicked with a phone and rest are clicked bya camera I hape u want ll like them
Cascade of Lights Above the Tyrrhenian
By: Devika Pramod
As the sun dips below the horizon, soft shades of amber and rose illuminate the pastel houses clinging to the cliffs of Positano. Framed by vibrant bougainvillea blossoms in the foreground and the gentle glow of streetlamps guiding the stone steps below, this view captures the magical stillness of an Italian evening by the sea.
India, As I See It
By: Mohit Asrani
A visual journey through India, capturing the people, traditions, streets, festivals, and everyday moments that give each place its unique identity. These photographs look beyond popular destinations to document India as it is raw, vibrant, diverse, and deeply human.
Serenity
By: Ankita Basak
Shikara ride on dal lake
Lens and Lore by Sanju
By: SANJUNA K
Photography, for me, began with something I already had in my hands — my phone. What started as simply capturing moments slowly became a way of seeing the world differently. I began noticing little things: a beautiful play of light, an expression that lasted only for a second, an ordinary place that suddenly looked extraordinary, or a moment that felt worth keeping.
The blessed nights
Milky way over a small unknown stream in chandarnahan area in himachal
Shadows of the High Pass
By: Arnav Sahu
Golden hour hitting the jagged ridges of Leh, framed by snow dusting the high peaks in the distance.
Muses of a daily routine
I have captured these clicks with a specific thought behind all of them. They signify those small moments that touch the heart by just being. My photography style is in finding happiness and small joys of life in a daily mundane life.
The Making of the Sacred Journey
By: chintan vyas
Captured during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, this image portrays the intense preparation behind one of India’s most revered religious processions. Workers carefully arrange and prepare the massive ropes that will connect devotees with the sacred chariots.
A Journey of Freedom 🇮🇳
By: Yashwant Marathe
A moment where freedom meets the spirit of youth. Running with the Tricolour, carrying pride, hope, and the dreams of a nation. 🇮🇳✨
Faith in Motion
Saffron, celebration, and shared devotion. Lost in the momentum of local tradition."
Moichara Cattle Race Canning
By: Mr Sumit Bose
This is a 33 years Pride Of Bengal, The Famous Cattle Race of Canning - Herobhanga
The Land of Uttarakhand
By: Vinit Patel
Where the Himalayas rise above the clouds and rivers carve their stories through ancient valleys, Uttarakhand is more than a destination, it’s a feeling. Every sunrise paints the snow-clad peaks with hope, every winding trail invites discovery, and every quiet breeze carries centuries of faith, adventure, and wonder.
Two Worlds in Blue
By: Sanjay Joshi
The frame within a frame divides two worlds: the silent world of the cat, and the lively world of the boys. The Jodhpur blue dominates the scene, and from its midst the cat's orange leaps as an instant focal point, pulling the eve before discovering the human moment beyond the door. The facing staircases create a stunning geometric balance.
Vantage Points
By: Aaish Alam
A collection of images gathered across different journeys, unified not by geography but by a recurring habit of noticing. A minaret rises into view through a carved stone threshold, centuries framed within centuries. A lone figure sits above a sea of clouds, small against the vastness of the mountains. A white stupa emerges quietly through the trees, catching the last light of the day.
Nature photography
By: Suyash Sinha
Each photograph gives us a story, and each story remindes us about the location or the memories we made....
Daivam
By: Maitree Acharya
A powerful expression of the divine, reflecting the sacred spirit and vibrant tradition of Theyyam in Kerala.
Bangkok, Between Daylight and Dreams
By: Riju Adgiri
A breathtaking view of Bangkok illuminated beneath a dramatic golden-hour sky, where the city’s sprawling skyline meets the winding Chao Phraya River. The contrast between the warm sunset and the cool blue cityscape captures Bangkok in a quiet, cinematic moment.
High Altitude Match
By: Aamir Khan
Shot this while i was doing my solo 15days mountain trip.
Preserving Monuments through the lens
By: Ayush Anand
It's a picture of Humayun tomb that is situated in Delhi, i clicked this picture to preserve the monument in my gallery for forever.
Stories Written in Stone
By: Ujjawal Agarwal
"Stories Written in Stone" is my visual interpretation of Italy-a place where history is not confined to museums, but lives in its streets, sculptures, fountains, facades, and sacred spaces. Through my lens, I tried to capture the quiet dialogue between centuries-old architecture and the fleeting moments of the present.
Collared scops owl
By: Reyan sofi
It has a PhD in camouflage
The soul of Himalayas
Photo 1 A beautiful Himalayan town surrounded by rugged mountains and lush green trees. The contrast between the barren mountains and the green settlement creates a stunning landscape. Photo 2 A golden Buddha statue standing in the middle of a river, with green vegetation and majestic mountains in the background. The scene reflects peace, spirituality, and natural beauties
Jk photography
By: jithin kishore
Portrait, symmetric, nature
The River’s Journey Through the Green
An aerial travel shot capturing the river flowing gracefully through the landscape near Gobichettipalayam. The river creates a natural leading line through the centre of the frame, surrounded by vast green farmlands, creating a striking contrast between water and land. The elevated perspective highlights the beauty, symmetry, and peaceful rhythm of the rural landscape.
Nature Calling at Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan
By: Roopal Aditya
Captured the beautiful nature of Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan
Anant's Gallery
By: Anant Sharma
This is a photograph of a near Sunset from an Airplane window, while being 36,000 Fts in air. This was when, I was traveling from Delhi to Guwahati in January this year.
Theyyam - The Other GOD
By: sagar mondkar
Theyyam – The Other God explores the extraordinary transformation at the heart of Theyyam, the ritual tradition of North Kerala where a human performer becomes a manifestation of the divine. Through three moments—the artist behind the deity, the deity in stillness, and the performer surrounded by fire—I explore the fragile boundary between human and god.
Beyond the journey - A series of the best travel photographs by me
Travel, to me, is not just about the places we visit, but the little stories we find along the way. These photographs capture India through my eyes from the peaceful Ganga and its boats, to glowing aartis, festive celebrations, children at play, and the quiet lives of people we meet on the road.
Inn Dino, Mumbai....
By: Loyal Manuka
Inn Dino, Mumbai A collection of brief moments from Mumbai. The streets, the people, the architecture, and everything in between. Not a postcard of the city, just Mumbai as it passed in front of my lens.
Village life
By: Mayuri Sonsale
In the villages drinking water supplies not available. They have to walk miles for water. Taking water over heads.
Passing B(o)y
By: Vansh Duggal
**Passing B(o)y** captures a young passenger standing at the doorway of a moving train, watching the landscape pass by. The motion-blurred surroundings contrast with his stillness, turning a simple journey into a moment of quiet observation. The title plays on *“passing by”* and *“boy”*—he is passing through both a landscape and a fleeting stage of life.
Mother's love
By: Suneeth S G
Mother's Love which i have clicked from Grahan village, Kasol, UK, India.
Moments of the streets
By: Sushovan Sar
Moments of the streets
Turning motion into art.
By: Ranit Kukreja
Qutub Minar, a timeless symbol of Delhi, captured through the movement of light. Using the concept of shutter drag, I transformed passing light into flowing trails that surround the monument, creating a visual contrast between still architecture and motion.
The Geometry of Solitude
By: Tanay Verma
Captured on the very morning after unboxing a new camera, this minimalist perspective reveals the monumental scale of the tomb. Entering as the first visitor of the day under harsh, unforgiving sunlight, the stark monochrome contrast highlights the intricate geometric patterns of Mughal architecture.
Monsoon in Motion
By: Santanu Mallick
A rainy evening transforms the city into a canvas of reflections, colours, and fleeting moments. Under the patterned umbrella, a woman walks through the wet streets, surrounded by glowing lights and blurred silhouettes. The reflections on the road capture the rhythm of the monsoon, creating a cinematic atmosphere where rain, light, and everyday life come together in quiet harmony.
Behind the Offering
By: Sneha Sengupta
A fleeting encounter on the bustling ghats of Benaras, where a young girl looks through a collection of offerings and everyday objects. Her quiet, direct gaze stands in contrast to the colour, movement and ritual surrounding her. The frame captures one of those unplanned moments in which the ordinary becomes intimate, a glimpse of life unfolding amid the timeless rhythms of Benaras.
Heaven's Whisper
By: febin babu
The valley rests beneath a cathedral of clouds, where sunlight slips through the storm like a whispered blessing. In the silence between shadow and light, the mountains breathe, the mist drifts, and time seems to stand still.
Pangtoed Chaam: The Warrior's Oath
In the high Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim, the Pang Lhabsol festival honors Mount Khangchendzonga as the land's guardian deity — a tradition rooted in the 13th-century reign of Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, who is said to have introduced the sacred Pangtoed Chaam, or warrior dance, after it appeared to him in a vision.
Human Nature
By: Souharda Roy
The human nature is of immense contrast and complexity which has been portrayed in this image. The image holds the emotions and different life experiences of different people under the same frame of time which signifies human nature.
Evening at jantar mantar
By: Farman Ansari
A vibrant urban street scene captured during golden hour, featuring the distinctive Gopaldas building rising above the trees. The curved modern architecture contrasts beautifully with the deep blue sky and scattered clouds.
Speck of subcontinent
A collection of mobile photography from the places I travelled. Also it contains a visual of Durga Puja of Kolkata- an unesco world heritage.
The Quiet Watcher
By: Ajai
A gentle reminder that sunsets aren’t just for humans to enjoy—nature pauses to admire them too.
Sun bathed Heritage
By: Brishti Rakshit
The picture was clicked in Agra. It was clicked during the time of sunset.
Boat at flood
By: Abhay Prajapati
I captured this photo as proper perspective and also refection photography
Troy of the East
I came across this beautiful view while exploring the Gingee fort. The long stone steps leading through the rocks immediately caught my attention. I waited for the right moment and framed the shot so that the pathway naturally leads the viewer towards the old structure at the top. For me, this photograph is not just about the fort, but about the journey, the landscape and the history connected to it.
Beauty of nature
By: Rahul Das
Meet of hills and clouds
YOGA
By: JAYANTA RAY
At the sacred ghats of Varanasi, beside the holy River Ganges, a sadhu performs a challenging yoga posture in deep concentration. His graceful balance and disciplined form reflect a profound sense of spirituality, strength, and inner peace.
To Reach
By: Nilimesh Bhowmik
To Reach the Destination in my Dream
Varanasi
An elderly man seen cleansing in the holy river of Ganges. It is believed that all sins wash away when one takes a dip in the holy river.
Sun, Surf, Survival
Framed against a sunrise and crashing waves a fishing crew sails through the turbulent ocean spray to begin its daily voyage. The contrast of the low sun flare, against the silhouettes highlights the movement, danger and beauty of traditional coastal life.
Fragments into Forever
By: Akshaya Sonawane
This body of work follows stone in two states of time: broken and reassembled; weathered and maintained. Made at the temple complexes of Gadhavali-Padhavali near Morena, Madhya Pradesh, including Ektarso and Batesara, and at Gwalior Fort, these photographs consider heritage not as a fixed inheritance, but as a continuing act of attention.
"Divinity in Every Frame"
“Divinity in Every Frame” is a visual journey through faith, devotion, artistry, and the timeless beauty of the sacred. Each photograph is more than an image—it is a carefully observed moment shaped by patience, perspective, light, and an eye for detail.
Ringan
Ringan sohala 🚩 Ringan Sohala, a key ritual in the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage, is a vibrant display of devotion and community spirit. It involves the "Maulincha Ashwa" (a sacred horse believed to carry the saint's spirit) running in a circle around the Palkhi (palanquin) carrying the Paduka (footwear) of the saint, while Warkaris (devotees) sing and dance, celebrating the completion of a cycle of life.
An unseen poetry of Urban Transit
By: Abish
As an IT professional, I have to travel 30 kilometers to reach the office during peak hours, with a lot of shared struggles and traffic. Everyone works hard in the office to get a salary, but no one ever gets paid for this survival, so I wished to capture a perfect moment of a journey that tells the story of a shared struggle — urban life in its rawest form.
The Monkey Lord's Fire
By: Dipankar Ghosh
Lit only by a temple oil-lamp, a masked performer commands the crowd at a Kecak fire dance in Ubud — an ancient Hindu epic reenacted nightly under the open sky.
Stories carved in stones
By: R I Nandini
What fascinated me most about this temple was its age and the incredible level of detail in its carvings. Standing in front of something created so many centuries ago, I kept wondering how the people of that time were able to carve such complex figures with so much precision, without the tools and technology we have today.
🎉 Congratulations to all the finalists! Don’t forget to cast your vote before 2 October 2026.
