Winners of the 2012 National Geographic Photo Contest

For their 24th annual photo contest, National Geographic received more than 12,000 entries from 6,615 talented photographers in 152 countries around the globe – culminating in a variety of awe-inspiring and at times heartbreaking images. Entries were judged on creativity and photographic quality by a panel of photographic experts – including National Geographic contributing photographer Alexandra Avakian who dished out a prize pack that featured a National Geographic Galápagos photography expedition, Santa Fe workshop, National Geographic Traveler Seminar, and a $200 USD gift certificate to B&H Photo. The entire gallery of winners and editorial insights behind the stunning works can be perused here.