The world looks different from above. From this elevated vantage point, familiar landscapes transform into abstract art, complex patterns emerge from nature, and the sheer scale of our planet becomes breathtakingly apparent. To celebrate this unique and powerful art form, a new and vital competition has been born. The results are in for the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025 (IAPOTY 2025), and they have set an incredibly high bar for the future of aerial imagery.
In its inaugural year, the competition, organized by the creators of the renowned International Landscape Photographer of the Year awards, drew an astounding 1,549 entries from professional and amateur photographers worldwide. This immediate success firmly places it as a major new event in the growing landscape of aerial and drone photo contests. The judging panel, consisting of esteemed photographers Tom Hegen, Isabella Tabacchi, and Tom Putt, had the challenging task of sifting through a diverse collection of images—from dramatic top-down drone shots to expansive vistas captured from planes and helicopters.
The philosophy of the IAPOTY 2025 is one of creative freedom. As Chairman of Judges Peter Eastway explains, “When designing an awards system, it can be tempting to include lots of rules and regulations, but such a structure can also limit an entrant’s imagination and creativity. We don’t want to do that.” Instead, the competition embraces all forms of aerial perspective, with the only firm rule being that images must be created by a real person, with no AI-generated content permitted.
This approach has yielded a stunning collection of winners, showcasing not just technical mastery, but also a profound ability to tell stories from a new point of view. Let’s soar above the ordinary and explore the images that captured the top honors.
International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025: Joanna Steidle
The grand title of the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year was awarded to Joanna Steidle from the United States. This top prize is based on the strength of a folio submission of at least four images, demonstrating consistency, vision, and a powerful artistic voice.
Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist based in the Hamptons, New York, submitted a mesmerizing portfolio focused on marine life. Her images are dynamic, intimate, and reveal the hidden choreographies of the ocean. From a fever of cownose rays stirring the sandy shallows to a humpback whale diving beneath the Atlantic waves, her work transforms fleeting moments into timeless art.
“Aerial photography offers so many possibilities not yet explored,” says Steidle. “Every day is exciting as I look for unique subjects and moments. I try to stay away from the ordinary. I live in a very flat landscape, so top-down imagery has become quite a theme in my photos which happens to work well with my love for marine life.”
Her winning folio is a testament to this philosophy, capturing the raw energy and delicate patterns of marine ecosystems just a few hundred feet from the coast of Southampton, New York.
Photographer of the Year Second Place: Daniel Viñé Garcia
Securing second place, Daniel Viñé Garcia from Spain captivated the judges with a portfolio that finds extraordinary, almost pareidolic forms within the raw power of nature. His standout image, “Smoking Skull,” captures an eerie, skull-like shape naturally formed in the cooling lava of Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano, showcasing a unique eye for finding the surreal in the geological.
Photographer of the Year Third Place: David Swindler
Third place was awarded to David Swindler from the United States, whose work is a vibrant celebration of life and color. His portfolio masterfully contrasts the vivid hues of wildlife, such as flocks of flamingos and pelicans, against the abstract, textured canvases of desert playas and mineral-rich lakes, creating compositions that are both dynamic and artistically stunning.
International Aerial Photograph of the Year 2025: Ignacio Palacios
While the main award celebrates a body of work, the competition also recognizes the power of a single, perfect frame. The winner of the inaugural International Aerial Photograph of the Year 2025 is Ignacio Palacios from Australia for his stunning image, “Cono de Arita.”
Captured in the otherworldly landscape of La Puna, Argentina, Palacios’s photograph is a masterclass in light, composition, and atmosphere. The image features the Cono de Arita, a near-perfect volcanic cone, rising from the Salar de Arizaro. What elevates the image to extraordinary heights are the anti-crepuscular rays—beams of light that appear to converge at the point opposite the sun. This rare atmospheric phenomenon, combined with the minimalist and stark beauty of the landscape, creates an image that is both powerful and surreal. It feels less like a photograph of Earth and more like a glimpse into another planet.
- Second Place: Talor Stone
- Third Place: Thomas Vijayan
International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025 Special Award Winners:
To honor the wide range of styles within aerial photography, the IAPOTY 2025 winners also include several special awards:
The Black & White Award 2025: The Tempest, by Barbara Brown
A dramatic and textural image of a salt lake in the Goldfields region of Western Australia that transforms the landscape into a moody, abstract masterpiece.
The Drone Award 2025: Relax after the Meal, by Pål Hermansen
A rare and intimate look at a polar bear on Svalbard after it has fed on a walrus carcass. The use of a drone with a telephoto lens allowed for this incredible scene to be captured without disturbing the animal.
The Abstract Award 2025: Explosive Moment, by Colin Leonhardt
A vibrant and chaotic image of a tailings site at an Alumina mine in Western Australia, which turns an industrial landscape into a piece of explosive abstract art.
The Chairman’s Choice Award 2025: Above the Ice, by Fabien Guittard
A serene photograph of two seals lounging peacefully on a drifting slab of ice in Iceland’s Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, perfectly capturing a moment of tranquility in a harsh environment.
A New Era for Aerial Photography
The success of the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025 signals a new and exciting era for this genre. It demonstrates a global appetite for images that challenge our perceptions and reveal the hidden beauty of our world.
For photographers feeling inspired by these incredible works and eager to find a platform for their own unique vision, the world of photo competitions offers a fantastic opportunity. If you’re looking to elevate your work, gain recognition, and join a global community of artists, exploring our comprehensive list of the world’s best photography contests is the perfect resource to find your next challenge.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Joanna Steidle, Ignacio Palacios, and all the IAPOTY 2025 winners and Top 101 finalists. Their work has not only set a new standard but has also given us a powerful reminder of the endless wonders waiting to be discovered from above.
To see the 101 winning images in all their glory, visit the official contest website and keep an eye on their stunning book at internationalaerialphotographer.com.