Alessandra Meniconzi wins National Geographic travel photography prize

Canon Ambassador Alessandra Meniconzi's image of a young Kazakh girl has won recognition in the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest. Tea Culture, captured on a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, was awarded first place in the People category.

The delicately-lit image catches light falling on 13-year-old Damel's face as she looks over at her parents, out of shot, while holding a steaming cup of tea. Wrapped in a heavy fur coat and warm headdress, the traditionally-dressed nomad warms her hands on her hot drink, with the light illuminating the steam rising off it.

The inventive portrait was shot as part of Alessandra's long-term project documenting the lives of the Kazakh people of western Mongolia. In March 2018, she spent five days following Damel's family across the Altai Mountains as they moved their home, their cattle and all of their possessions from their winter camp to their new location for spring.

"The idea for this journey has been developing for more than 18 years, since my first amazing trip, which introduced me to the ancient method of hunting with Golden Eagles in Kazakhstan," Alessandra says. "I've since made several trips to the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, but this year I decided to do something different and follow one Kazakh family of eagle hunters during their migration from winter to spring camp."

The 160km journey brought new challenges to the experienced Swiss photographer, who was battling the flu while working in freezing temperatures as she followed the family across snowy paths and frozen lakes in Bayan-Ölgii, the westernmost province of Mongolia. "It was not an easy journey," she remembers. "Working in these harsh conditions was not fun. I am very happy this image has won this important prize – this award recognises all the hard work!"

Working with the light

Alessandra's work focuses on the ancient heritage, customs and daily lives of indigenous people living remotely with a deep connection to the natural world – cultures that are often at risk of vanishing. She has photographed the lives of peoples across the globe, from the Silk Route and the Himalayas through to the Arctic – as well as taking an insider's view of traditional Swiss customs. She has spent more than a decade working in remote areas of Asia.

Her winning photo highlights a key component of the local culture. "Tea for Kazakh culture is one of the attributes of hospitality," Alessandra explains. "It accompanies every moment of the day. Tea isn't just a drink but a mix of tradition, culture, relaxation, ceremony and pleasure."

When she spotted the way that a ray of sunlight streaming through a small window was catching her young subject's face during a pause in their long journey, Alessandra reached for her Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, which was paired with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens.