International Aerial Photographer of the Year Winner
The number of photographers shooting from above, with the cheap drone virtually making it accessible to anyone, skys skyrocketing.
This bounce was not noticed by the organizers of Peter Eastway and David Evans, International landscape photographer of the year awardsInspired by this increase in aerial photography, he established a dedicated competition: The International Ariel Photography of the Year Awards,
The 2025 competition attracted more than 1500 entries from around the world, with American photographer Joana Steidal won the top honor for his captivating pictures of marine life near his Southampton, New York, Home.
We are excited to share some winning images from this year’s competition. The entire collection of 101 winning images is available as an e-book on the competition Website,
Year’s air photographer: 1 place
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The judges chose the United States photographer Joanna Steidal as the overall winner of the International Aerial Photographer of the Year Awards. Steidal, located in Hampton on Long Island, New York, took pictures of just 7–13 km (4-6 mi) from his own home, with a portfolio of images characterized by marine life.
“Growing up, I never looked at the whale or dolphin from the edge,” Steidal explains. “But due to efforts to conserve, our beach has retaliated with a pile of marine organisms over the years.”
Photographer: Joanna Steidal, United States
Topic: another world
Description: A fever of Connose rays coming near a school of Menhaden fodder, Southampton, was taken a few hundred feet away from the coast of NY. USA.
Copyright Jona Steidal / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photographer: 1 place
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Photographer: Joanna Steidal, United States
Topic: Concerto
Description: A small fever of conoz rays shaking the sand with their journey. In Southampton, NY, USA, a few hundred feet away from the coast.
Copyright Jona Steidal / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photographer: 1 place
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Photographer: Joanna Steidal, United States
Topic: Gateway
Description: A spinner shark hunting at a school of Meenheden fodder at the Atlantic Ocean, Southampton, NY, USA.
Copyright Jona Steidal / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photographer: 1 place
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Photographer: Joanna Steidal, United States
Topic: Diving
Description: A humpback whale back dives under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after breathe of air. It was taken within 500 feet of the coast in Southampton, NY, USA.
Copyright Jona Steidal / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photographer: second place
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Photographer: Daniel Vien Garcia, Spain
Topic: Smoking skull
Description: It cooled as the Fragradalsafjal volcano of Iceland. The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, causing a terrible natural confusion for a few moments.
Copyright Daniel Vienne Garcia / Inaugural Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photographer: second place
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Photographer: Daniel Vien Garcia, Spain
Topic: Earth nipple
Description: A dull volcanic erosion in Argentina’s high altitude Panna manifests a complex erosion pattern coined by air and time.
Copyright Daniel Vienne Garcia / Inaugural Aerial Photographer of the Year
Aerial photographer of the year: third place
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Photographer: David Swander, United States
Topic: Flemingos and Pelican
Description: Dark Skyse provides a dramatic background as sunlight highlights a desert butt.
Copyright David Swander / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Aerial photographer of the year: third place
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Photographer: David Swander, United States
Topic: Flags over a lake
Description: Seven flamingos fly over the black water and pattern of a lake.
Copyright David Swander / International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Year’s air photo: 1 place
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Topic: Kono de Arita
Description: Anti-Crapscular rays in Kono de Aryita, La Puna, Argentina.
Copyright ignasio Palasios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Hawaii Picture of Year: Second Place
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Photographer: Tallor Stone, United States
Topic: Ice tree
Description: An aerial perspective of glacial calculating reveals an unexpected organic pattern in water. Northeast Greenland National Park.
Copyright Tallor Stone / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Hawaii Picture of Year: Third place
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Photographer: Thomas Vijayan, Canada
Topic: Austphone ice cap
Description: Bråsvelbreen glacier, part of Austphona Ice Cap in Svalbard. Early melting and powerful waterfalls reveal the immediate reality of climate change – if we fail to work then we remind us what is at stake.
Copyright Thomas Vijayan / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Black and White Award
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Photographer: Barbara Brown, Australia
Topic: storm
Description: Salt Lake, Goldfields Area of Western Australia
Copyright Barbara Brown / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Drone award
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Photographer: Pål hermansen, norway
Topic: Relax after meals
Description: Polar bears on Swalbard after eating on the walraus dead body. Thanks to the drone with telephoto lens, this rare view can be captured without any disturbances. Swalbard, Norway.
Copyright Pål Hermansen / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Abstract award
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Photographer: Colin Leonhart, Australia
Topic: Twisted owl
Description: Koli, Alumina Mine Tailing Dam near Western Australia.
Copyright Colin Leonhart / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Chairman Award
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Photographer: Fabian Gitard, France
Topic: Above ice
Description: Joecuslone Glascheral Lagoon, two seals on a flowing slab of snow in southern Iceland.
Copyright Colin Leonhart / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
