Astounding Aerial Photography Showcasing the Majesty of Nature: 18 Spectacular Snapshots
The International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition, a renowned event showcasing breathtaking aerial photographs from across the globe, was first held in 2025 [1][2][4]. The inaugural winner was Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist from the United States [1][2][4].
Joanna's winning entries were a series of stunning drone views of marine life off Long Island, New York, selected from over 1,500 entries worldwide [1][2][4][5]. Her captivating images were announced as the competition's first-ever winners, marking a significant milestone in the world of aerial photography.
The competition, open to both professional and amateur photographers, has since attracted a high standard of entries from around the world. Among the notable submissions this year are Peter Harrison's Tidal Flora, Daniela Tommasi's Salt Works IV The Eye, Colin Leonhardt's Twisted Owl, Ignacio Palacios's Laguna Hedionda, and Daniel Viñé Garcia's photograph featuring a smoking skull.
Other notable submissions include David Swindler's photograph featuring flamingos and pelicans, Taylor Duncan's Martian Sunrise, Rositsa Dimitrova's Eternal Harmony, Javier Garcia's unspecified entry, and Daniel Reiter's Celestine Pool.
In a previous year, Ignacio Palacios, another accomplished photographer, took home the title of International Aerial Photographer of the Year [6]. His winning photograph, Laguna Hedionda, showcases the beauty of a lagoon in Spain.
The competition also features submissions from less common locations, such as David Mierowsky's photograph featuring a plane, Thomas Vijayan's photograph of the Austfonna Ice Cap, and Ael Kermare's Reclaim, a photograph that captures the Tajogaite Volcano on La Palma.
Murray Evans also submitted a photograph featuring elephants, adding a unique African touch to the diverse collection of entries.
As the competition continues to grow, it serves as a platform for photographers worldwide to showcase their unique perspectives and talents in aerial photography. Joanna Steidle, the current winner, continues to impress with her captivating drone views of marine life, setting a high bar for future participants.
[1] International Aerial Photographer of the Year Competition Official Website [2] Joanna Steidle's Portfolio [3] The Tajogaite Volcano Information [4] The Austfonna Ice Cap Information [5] Long Island Marine Life Information [6] Ignacio Palacios's Previous Winning Photograph
- Joanna Steidle's award-winning photographs of marine life from space, showcasing the beauty of Earth, were captured using drones and resulted in her winning the first International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition held in 2025.
- The Earth's wild varied landscapes, such as the Austfonna Ice Cap, the Tajogaite Volcano, and Long Island's marine life, serve as a constant source of inspiration for participants in the International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition, generating a diverse collection of entries.
- Science and nature enthusiasts join home-and-garden aficionados and art lovers to appreciate the high standard of submissions in the lifestyle category of the International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition, where experiments in aerial photography techniques are often showcased alongside fascinating wildlife and nature imagery.
- Aerial photographs like Daniel Viñé Garcia's smoking skull, David Swindler's flamingos and pelicans, and Murray Evans' elephants offer insight into our world by reflecting the intricate balance and harmony found in nature, as well as the sometimes twisted aspects of human endeavor and lifestyle as depicted through a birds-eye perspective.
