Travel nominee

Around 100,000 pilgrims, largely the rural poor, many of whom have walked for weeks, often barefoot, arrive to celebrate the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas in Lalibela. This was taken as the sun rose on Christmas morning, just outside the rock-hewn church of Bet Maryam,where the pilgrims had kept a candlelit vigil throughout the night. Though exhausted, they now wait for the priests to begin the ancient tradition of St. David's dance, those above the church representing the angels, those below the shepherds. Then the pilgrims will be fed by the villagers and finally rest.

Born in Canada to Irish parents, Chris grew up in Africa and around Europe. Dividing his time between working as a filmmaker and photographer he is now based in London.

His films have won several awards including the Miramax Scriptwriting Award, he has twice been finalist in the Wanderlust Photograph of the Year competition, has won the Wild Frontiers Photo of the Year 2014 and has been awarded 2nd place in the Sony World Photo of the Year 2015, National Award Ireland. He has had his photos published in the national press and exhibited in the Royal Geographical Society in London and UNESCO in Geneva.

He recently published a fine art photographic book; The Priests and Pilgrims of Ethiopia and Prestel are publishing a book of his images of Varanasi; Banaras, Holy City in March 2016.