Check out Nat Geo’s 2017 travel photographer of the year

Curious about what it takes to be crowned the National Geographic 2017 Travel Photographer of the Year? Us too.

So we’ve rounded up the stunning shots that were crowned winners this year, celebrating the stunning shots taken by people all over the world.

The 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest recognises spectacular photos taken within the last two years, with entries in three categories: Nature, People and Cities.

A photograph of an erupting volcano hit by a bolt of lightning has earned Sergio Tapiro Velasco, from Mexico, the prestigious title of 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year.

Velasco will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos Archipelago with National Geographic Expeditions, as well as a $2500 prize. Velasco’s incredible photo was selected from over 15,000 entries from participants in more than 30 countries.

Velasco took his grand prize-winning photo, titled “The Power of Nature,” outside Colima, Mexico.

Before he captured this striking photograph, Velasco had been carefully tracking an increase in activity and closely watched the Volcán de Colima for almost a month, after studying and photographing the volcano for more than a decade.

“When I looked on the camera display, all I could do was stare,” said Velasco.

“What I was watching was impossible to conceive, the image showed those amazing forces of nature interacting on a volcano, while the lightning brightened the whole scene.

“It’s an impossible photograph and my once in a lifetime shot that shows the power of nature.”

In addition to the grand-prize winner, top photos were selected in each of the three categories. First-, second- and third-place winners were awarded $2500, $750 and $500, respectively, as well as a subscription to National Geographic Traveler magazine.

In addition to winning the grand prize, Velasco’s photo was also chosen as the winner in the Nature category.

All of the winning and honorable mention photos may be viewed at natgeo.com/travelphotocontest, but we’ve popped the winners’ shots below for your perusal.