Joanna Steidle from the United States emerged victorious at the inaugural ‘International Aerial Photographer of the Year’ competition, standing out among 1,549 participants. The runner-up was Spain’s Daniel Viñé Garcia, followed by American David Swindler.
“Aerial photography offers so many unexplored possibilities. Every day is exciting as I search for unique subjects and moments. I try to steer clear of the ordinary. Living in a very flat landscape, top-down images have become a recurring theme in my photography, which coincidentally works well with my passion for marine life,” said Joanna Steidle, as quoted by the New York Post.
Besides this award, Australian Ignacio Palacios won the Photographer of the Year prize, with Talor Stone from the United States in second place, and Canada’s Thomas Vijayan in third.
Special prizes were also awarded for black and white photography, drone photography, abstract photography, and the jury president’s choice, with the panel consisting of Tom Hegen, Tom Putt, and Isabella Tabacchi.
The competition, which highlighted the 101 most “stunning” aerial photographs, was initiated a decade after the ‘International Landscape Photographer of the Year’ awards began.
According to organizers Peter Eastway and David Evans, the award has just one rule: “All entries must be created by a real person and no AI is allowed.”
The entries featured, among others, smiling wolf-jumpers, leaping deer, construction birds, and even kissing gorillas.
Notícias ao Minuto | 15:39 – 02/06/2025
“No matter how educated and experienced a panel of judges is, they often express very different opinions. It’s not uncommon for a judge to personally feel that the tenth or fiftieth-place entries are as impressive as the first place, hence our philosophy is to award the ‘101 best’ photographs each year,” they further explained.
In this regard, by having a larger “collection,” the judges can commend photos of all types and genres, from drones to medium format, unique captures, compositions, abstractions, and breathtaking interpretations of Mother Nature.
This competition’s first edition attracted 1,549 entries from around the globe, exceeding the organizers’ “expectations.” To reach the top 101 and have their photographs published in the award’s book, a minimum score of 86.67 was required.
See some of the award-winning images in the gallery above.
