The winners of the first International Aerial Photographer of the Year competition have been announced.
Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist from Long Island, New York, won the top prize from a pool of over 1,500 entries worldwide.
Expressing her passion for aerial photography, she highlighted the unexplored possibilities and the thrill of seeking out unique subjects and moments that steer clear of the mundane.
“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.”
Recognizing the excellence of other participants, the competition awarded second place to Daniel Viñé Garcia from Spain and third place to David Swindler from the United States. Participants were required to submit portfolios comprising a minimum of four images, welcoming both professional and amateur photographers to showcase their work.