Travel Photographer of the Year — SATW!

The Society of American Travel Writers just announced the 2026 Bill Muster Photo Awards, and I took the top prize of Photographer of the Year for a portfolio of 20 images from OLTRE, a collection of food and luxury travel photos from Mexico, England, Ecuador, Norway, New York, Chicago and French Polynesia. And since SATW doesn’t publish the winning galleries anymore, I’m publishing here. Click any image to start the slide show.

Mushroom tacos at Nacho taqueria at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Villa terrace at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Guacamole with maguey worms at Nacho taqueria at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Bartender at The Brando in French Polynesia (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Coyul restaurant at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Dry-aged fish at Sal at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Tuna tostada at Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol, Los Cabos Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Herve with chickens at Rancho Lola at Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Paratrike aerial view of Four Seasons Tamarindo, Mexico (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Giant tortoise in Galapagos (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Bellman at The Brando in French Polynesia (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, England (Photo by Brad A. Johnson_
Staff prep at The Study bar at Fifth Avenue Hotel New York (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Salmon and caviar cheesecake at Emeril’s in New Orleans (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Bartender at Tre Dita in Chicago (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Room service at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, England (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Sailing through the Norwegian fjords on Cunard’s Queen Anne (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The Queens Grill on Cunard’s Queen Anne (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Flam, Norway (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

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Brad A. Johnson is a photographer, writer and editor specializing in food and luxury travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, FOLIO Eddie & Ozzie Awards, World Food Media Awards, World Food Photography Awards, Society for Features Journalism Awards, Muster Photo Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad was previously the founding editorial director of OLTRE, the national food and travel editor at Modern Luxury and a longtime reporter at Food & Wine, among other prominent roles.

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