The 2025 International Aerial Photo Awards has unveiled a breathtaking selection of 30 winning images that reimagine our world from above. In its inaugural year, the competition received over 1,500 entries from photographers across the globe, celebrating a rich diversity of styles and perspectives. Open to both professionals and passionate hobbyists, the awards welcome aerial imagery captured by drones, planes, helicopters, balloons, or even mountaintops — as long as the image showcases a compelling aerial viewpoint.
Photo by: Joanna Steidle
At the heart of the awards lies a commitment to creativity and vision, with minimal restrictions placed on participants. This open approach encourages experimentation and unique interpretation, producing images that range from abstract landscapes and urban geometry to powerful environmental narratives. The result is a collection that transforms familiar places into extraordinary compositions, viewed through the lens of altitude and artistry.
Among the standout winners is U.S.-based photographer Joanna Steidle, whose folio submission drew wide acclaim for its visual depth and variety. The judging panel, led by acclaimed photographer Peter Eastway, praised the overall caliber of entries. “Looking down on our subject produces a novel, intriguing, and sometimes ambiguous perspective,” Eastway noted, reflecting the transformative power of aerial photography.
These 30 winning photographs offer more than visual beauty—they provide a shift in perspective. They remind us how the world changes when seen from above, revealing patterns, shapes, and stories that often go unnoticed. It’s a stunning testament to the power of aerial photography in 2025.
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#1. Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain, Smoking Skull
"Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano as it cooled. The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, creating an eerie natural illusion for a few moments."
#2. Jie Xu, China, Most Beautiful Football Pitch
"Nestled on a tiny island in the Arctic Circle, this football field in Henningsvær, Norway is truly one of a kind. It’s a place where sport and nature meet in perfect harmony."
#3. Ael Kermarec, Iceland, Reclaim
"On this morning, Iceland experienced its 6th volcanic eruption in less than 3 years. The speed of the lava flows shows the brutal way this powerful act of nature claims its rights."
#4. Lorenzo Passalacqua, Australia, Avalanche
"Surfers confronting the immense force of the ocean, evokes the rush of escaping a collapsing mountain."
#5. Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, Iceland, Cloud Inversion
"A cloud inversion is veiling a massive erupting volcanic crater during the 2021 Geldingadalir eruption in Iceland."
#6. Mike Mezeul I I, United States, New Earth
"Nearly 24 hours after the start of the 9 July 9 2023 Litli-Hrútur eruption in Iceland, this three image panoramic showcases the newly formed cinder cone and associated lava river."
#7. Marco Di Marco, Iceland, A Powerful Beginning
"The 7th eruptive episode of the 2023-2025 Svartsengi volcanic system, in southwestern Iceland."
#8. Chris Ha, United States, Threads Of Tradition
"A Vietnamese artisan weaves a fishing net by hand, surrounded by flowing green threads, a tradition passed down through generations."
#9. Xiaoying Shi, United States, Ground Vein
"Utah’s unique and fascinating geological formations, with low, warm light emphasising its texture."
#10. Thomas Vijayan, Canada, Austfonna Ice Cap
"The Bråsvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna Ice Cap in Svalbard. Early melting and powerful waterfalls reveal the urgent reality of climate change—reminding us what’s at stake if we fail to act."
#11. Vitaly Golovatyuk, Russian Federation, Hanging On The Bridge
"Three bridges in Huzhou, China."
#12. Joanna Steidle, United States, Diving
"A humpback whale diving back under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after taking a breath of air. This was taken within 500ft of the coast in Southampton, NY, USA."
#13. Talor Stone, United States, Tree Of Ice
"An aerial perspective of glacial calving reveals an unexpected organic pattern in the water. Northeast Greenland National Park."
#14. Dipanjan Pal, India, Carpet
"Harvesting grass in central Vietnam looks like a carpet from above."
#15. Taylor Duncan, United States, Martian Sunrise
"At sunrise under overcast skies, the bentonite hills of Utah reveal a Martian-like landscape sculpted by time and water."
#16. Xiaohui Li, China, Flamingos By The Lake
"Flying flamingos by the lake.’
#17. Andro Loria, United Kingdom, Autumn Light
"Late autumn light highlights moss (lichen) on the mountain slopes contrasting dark blues of the craters’ lakes. Southern highlands, Iceland."
#18. David Mierowsky, Australia, The Plane, The Plane!
"The shadow of our plane as we fly over the colours of Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia."
#19. Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain, The Nipple Of The Earth
"A dormant volcano in the high-altitude Puna of Argentina reveals intricate erosion patterns sculpted by wind and time."
#20. Joanna Steidle, United States, The Gateway
"A spinner shark hunting in a school of menhaden bait fish in the Atlantic Ocean, Southampton, NY, USA."
#21. Patrick Abraham, United States, Crown Jewel
"The Namib Desert, ancient and unyielding, wears the light of dawn like a crown. As the sun comes out the masterpiece is revealed."
#22. David Swindler, United States, Flamingos And Pelicans
"Flamingos and pelicans."
#23. Guichard Laetitia, France, Pink Landscape
"Mont Saint Michel in the morning, France."
#24. Craig Parry, Australia, The Chase
"Two Bottlenose Dolphins ride the nose of a Humpback Whale. I captured this image three nautical miles off the coast of Byron Bay under permit. NSW, Australia."
#25. Katherine Smith, United States, 2024 10 7
"Broome, Western Australia."
#26. Jay Huang, United States, Red Alignment
"Two towers alignment during low fog at sunset at Golden Gate Bridge, USA."
#27. Ignacio Palacios, Australia, Cono De Arita
"Anti crepuscular rays at Cono de Arita, La Puna, Argentina."
#28. Jim Picot, Australia, Golden Curve
"The ever changing sand on the hills at Stockton Beach. Last light shows the textures and designs."
#29. Rakesh Baro, India, Nature’s Palette
"I love how this beautiful lake is nestled in the heart of autumn, surrounded by a breathtaking display of fiery reds, golden yellows and deep oranges. Muskoka landscapes can’t get any better."
#30. David Swindler, United States, Desert Playa
"Desert Playa"
