Aerial photography competitions seek pictures taken from the air. In the past, the most commonly used aerial platforms have been airplanes, helicopters or balloons, but in recent years, the technical advancement of drones and their capabilities have completely changed this. These days, most of these contests are either straight up drone photography contests or more open photography contests that include a specific category for this type of photography. Either way, aerial photography remains a challenge that attracts photographers from all over the world and, here, we have gathered some of the world’s top aerial photo contests.
Next aerial photo contest
1839 Awards: Photographer of the Year 2024
List of aerial and drone photography competitions
The following list includes all the aerial photography contests that are currently available on our website. We have not differentiated between drone photography contests and any other type of contest, but nowadays most of the contests choose to specialize or include a category for photography taken with drones. All the aerial photography awards on our list are sorted by their closing date and ready for you to enter. So whatever your specialty, you are sure to find a drone photography contest or the medium of your choice for you.
And if you know of an aerial photography contest that is not on our list, Send it to us!
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
*This list includes contests that are specific to this type of photography or that include a category dedicated to it. However, you may also be interested in going through our list of open theme photo contests in which you can also participate.
What are aerial photography contests?
As we have already indicated at the beginning of this page, aerial photography competitions are photography contests specialized in photographs taken from aerial platforms such as an airplane or a drone. But this kind of photography is not limited to these elements. What is important in these photo challenges is that the images are taken from the air.
This type of photography, which usually shows what is known as “bird’s eye view”, allows for novel and spectacular results. In recent years this type of photography has gained quite a few followers thanks to the ease with which you can now get an unmanned vehicle (a drone) and the amazing qualities that have reached their cameras. So it is not surprising that the number of aerial photo contests (or related to it) continues to increase year after year.
The incredible zenithal scenes or the new perspectives that this type of photography allows has enamored thousands of photographers around the world and continues to find loyal followers. If you practice this type of photography, you are sure to find an aerial photography contest for you.
Are drone photo contests and aerial photo contests the same thing?
Almost, but no. Drone photography contests usually look exclusively for photographs taken with this type of objects. It is a rather special type of photography because of its characteristics, so it is not surprising that it has gained so much popularity. Even so, you should always read the rules of any contest you enter, as sometimes certain contests talk about drone photography, but allow any type of aerial photography.
On the other hand, and unless otherwise stated, an aerial photography contest will admit photographs taken with a drone, but will not be limited to them. These types of contests allow photographs taken from large (or not so large) platforms, such as a helicopter; and also photographs taken with a more common camera if taken, for example, by a parachutist. The important thing is that the photograph was taken from the air.
If you have any doubts or you are not sure if your photograph is eligible for any of the photo contests that you can find in our listings, we will give you the same advice we always give: read the rules carefully. And if for some strange reason you don’t find there what you are looking for, contact the organization. Any of the aerial photography contests or those specialized in drones will be able to solve your doubts without problems and will help you to participate with the best guarantees.