Remarkable photographs showcased at the 2025 Global Aerial Photography Competition

Remarkable photographs showcased at the 2025 Global Aerial Photography Competition

The inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition, held in 2025, showcased an impressive array of breathtaking aerial images from around the world. With over 1,500 entries from photographers across the globe, the competition aimed to celebrate the unique power of aerial photography and highlight its growing popularity.

The top honour went to Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist based in New York. Steidle's winning portfolio included four images featuring marine life off Long Island, including humpback whales, spinner sharks, and cownose rays. Steidle's work often showcases a flat landscape and a theme of marine life, reflecting her location. In a press statement, Steidle expressed her excitement about the possibilities offered by aerial photography, stating that every day is exciting as there are still many aspects of this art form yet to be explored.

The competition also recognised several other photographers with special prizes. Spain's Daniel Viñé Garcia earned second place, while David Swindler from the United States took third place. Swindler is known for his images of flamingos and pelicans.

Ignacio Palacios from Australia won the Photograph of the Year award for a single stunning image of "Cono de Arita" in La Puna, Argentina. The second and third places in this category went to Talor Stone from the United States and Thomas Vijayan from Canada, respectively.

Notable striking entries from the Top 101 collection included Murray Evans' "Elephants of the Flo," Javier Garcia's "Tajogaite Volcano," Thomas Vijayan's "Austfonna Ice Cap," Belva Hayden's "Flamingos over Lake Magadi," Pal Hermansen's "Relax after the Meal," Peter Harrison's "Tidal Flora," Craig Parry's "The Chase," Taylor Duncan's "Martian Sunrise," Fabien Guittard's "Above the Ice," Wayne Sorensen's "Ripples," Taylor Stone's "Tree of Ice," Neil Vincent's "Dead Whale Beached," Alec Kermarec's "Reclaim," David Swindler's "Flamingos and Pelicans," Stuart Chape's "Lake Cakora," and more.

The competition, founded by Peter Eastway and David Evans, the duo behind the International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest, emphasised a wide diversity of aerial photography styles, from drone shots to compositional abstracts. All photos were required to be captured by a human, with no AI-generated content permitted.

A comprehensive eBook featuring the "Top 101" photographs is available on the International Aerial Photographer of the Year Awards website for those interested in exploring the full spectrum of amazing aerial imagery from the event. The competition was created in response to a growing number of aerial submissions and serves as a testament to the beauty of Earth from unique aerial perspectives, revealing landscapes and wildlife in fantastic new ways.

Joanna Steidle, the winner, showcased her excitement about the possibilities of aerial photography, highlighting that every day is exciting as there are still many aspects of this art form yet to be explored. Meanwhile, some photographers showcased gadgets like drones to capture their stunning images, demonstrating how technology has made travel to remote locations easier and more accessible for capturing aerial photography.

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