It feels a little strange to self-promote, but I think this news is pretty deserving. I got first place in people and culture portfolio category in the Travel Photographer of the Year competition. Considering that the competition is pretty well-known these days and there were LOADS of entries, it feels good to get first place. :) 

The theme of the category – FACES, PEOPLE, ENCOUNTERS was right up my alley. I finally had free time to enter (been wanting to for a while), so I did. 

Here are the images that won. They were taken in the Maramures region, Romania. I actually just recently discussed what happened behind the scenes of the first image below, in Tips and Inspiration section of my website. 

Hungarian-Romanian farmer with takes a break from ploughing the field.

A shepherd herds the village's animals on a hill above the village.

Man making home-made Tsuika in his backyard.