Winners Showcased in Spectacular International Aerial Photography Competition
The International Aerial Photography Contest 2025 has announced its inaugural winners, showcasing a breathtaking collection of images captured from high above the earth. With over 1,500 entries from photographers worldwide, the competition celebrated a diverse range of aerial photography styles using drones, planes, helicopters, balloons, and other aerial platforms.
The top prize went to Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist based in the Hamptons, New York. Her winning folio included striking images such as a spinner shark hunting a school of menhaden fish off Southampton, New York. Her work was praised for its visual depth, variety, and fresh aerial perspectives of Earth’s landscapes and wildlife.
In second place was Daniel Viñé Garcia from Spain, recognised for his photograph "Smoking Skull" among other compelling aerial images. Third place was awarded to David Swindler, whose portfolio featured notable images like flamingos and pelicans in flight.
Other notable photographers and images highlighted in the contest include Pål Hermansen, who won the drone award for his photo of a polar bear and dead walrus on Svalbard. Jie Xu from China was recognised for "Most Beautiful Football Pitch," depicting a unique football field on a tiny island in the Arctic Circle.
The International Aerial Photographer of the Year has published an eBook featuring the Top101 photographs, showcasing the diverse and breathtaking aerial imagery from the contest. The book, available now, offers a comprehensive view of the cutting edge of aerial photography in 2025, revealing novel and compelling perspectives on nature and human environments.
In addition to the stunning images, the contest also aimed to reflect on humanity's impact and urge a shift toward sustainability and environmental awareness. The Collective, the organisation behind the contest, uses aerial images to create fictional yet plausible scenes of excess, highlighting the urgent need for change.
The 2025 International Aerial Photography Contest is a testament to the power of aerial photography as a medium for storytelling and raising awareness about critical environmental issues. The winning photographs and photographers represent a new era in aerial photography, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and offering a fresh perspective on our world.
-Joanna Steidle's lifestyle, travel experiences, and aerial photography skills were recognized as she was announced as the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025, with her striking wildlife and nature photos of Earth's landscapes capturing the top prize.- The 2025 International Aerial Photography Contest's eBook showcases a collection of novel and compelling aerial imagery, ranging from breathtaking wildlife photos to lifestyle images that highlight human environments, offering a fresh perspective on our world and encouraging sustainability and environmental awareness.
