{"id":762047,"date":"2026-07-14T08:54:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/762047\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T08:54:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:54:33","slug":"international-aerial-photographer-of-the-year-reveals-2026-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/762047\/","title":{"rendered":"International Aerial Photographer of the Year Reveals 2026 Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Azim<\/p>\n

\u201cThousands of Migratory Birds Feeding\u201d Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
1st Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
For a few months of the year, a large number of Siberian seagulls migrate to various parts of India. One of them is Yamuna Ghat in Delhi. The birds start coming in here in November and move out in mid-March. The activity continues all morning.<\/p>\n

The International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a> competition has announced the winners of its second edition, after receiving 1,587 entries from photographers around the world. Out of this high-caliber selection, judges narrowed it down to one Photographer of the Year (with two runners-up), one Photograph of the Year (with two runners-up), four special award winners, and a Top 101 that showcases the remarkable breadth of contemporary aerial photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bangladeshi photographer Azim Khan Ronnie<\/a> earned the title of Photographer of the Year for a four-image portfolio spanning Switzerland, India, and Bangladesh. His winning photographs capture a rower gliding across Lake Zurich, crowds gathering alongside birds at Delhi\u2019s Yamuna Ghat, vivid red chili peppers drying in Bogura, and the Rakher Upobash ritual in Dhaka. Viewed from above, each scene reveals striking patterns and geometry, all from a bird\u2019s-eye view.<\/p>\n

Singapore\u2019s Chin Leong Teo<\/a> and Australia\u2019s Barbara Brown rounded out the top three with portfolios that showcase the diversity of contemporary aerial photography, from sweeping natural landscapes to mesmerizing abstract compositions revealed only from above.<\/p>\n

The competition also awarded a Photograph of the Year title for a single standout image to Vitaly Golovatyuk<\/a>, whose mesmerizing photograph creates the illusion of a lone bird floating in midair. Captured at Elk Park near Dongtai City in China\u2019s Zhejiang Province, the image shows a bird resting on a perfectly still lake encircled by brilliant red vegetation. Because the water reflects the sky with remarkable clarity, the bird appears suspended in open space. Golovatyuk spent several days scouting the location at sunrise and sunset before capturing the scene.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s Sanghamitra Sarkar<\/a> placed second in the Photograph of the Year category, while Kah-Wai Lin<\/a> of the United States earned third.<\/p>\n

In addition to its two top honors, the competition presented four special awards celebrating distinctive aerial subjects. Chengming Liu<\/a> of the United States received the Above Mountain Award, Aleksandra Wilk<\/a> of Germany earned the Above Snow Award, Savadmon Avalachamveettil<\/a> of Ireland won the Above Water Award, and A.J. Rich<\/a> of the United States was honored with the Chairman\u2019s Choice Award.<\/p>\n

According to chairman Peter Eastway, aerial photography has grown far beyond sweeping landscape views, revealing patterns, textures, and compositions that can only be seen from above. This year\u2019s Top 101 reflects that evolution, featuring everything from breathtaking natural vistas to graphic, almost abstract scenes that transform the everyday into something extraordinary.\n<\/p>\n

The International Aerial Photographer of the Year has announced its incredible winners.
\n\"Vitaly<\/p>\n

\u201cBirdie in the Sky\u201d by Vitaly Golovatyuk, Russian Federation \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
1st Place 2026 International Aerial Photograph of the Year
Birdie is sitting on the water of a tiny, crystal clear lake with reflection of the sky and surrounded by red grass, somewhere in Dongtai.<\/p>\n

\"Sanghamitra<\/p>\n

\u201cWari\u201d Sanghamitra Sarkar, India \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2nd Place 2026 International Aerial Photograph of the Year
A gathering of Warkaris during Maharashtra\u2019s Wari pilgrimage forms a circular pattern around the central palkhi carrying sacred padukas. Dressed in white, devotees sit in rows, creating a powerful visual of unity, devotion and harmony.<\/p>\n

\"Chin<\/p>\n

\u201cBali Rice Terrace 2\u201d by Chin Leong Teo, Singapore \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2nd Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Bali\u2019s rice terraces cascade down the hillsides in vivid green steps, shaped by centuries of careful irrigation. Four ladies with a dog work the fields in a line, moving steadily through the paddies as they tend the young rice plants.<\/p>\n

After receiving 1,587 entries from photographers around the world, the judges selected winners offering a range of vistas.
\n\"Azim<\/p>\n

\u201cHarvesting Red Chilies\u201d by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
1st Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Thousands of bright red chilli peppers are harvested in the hot sun before being sorted ready to be delivered to spice companies in the Sariakandi, Bogura, Bangladesh. More than 2,000 people work in almost 100 chilli farms in Bogura.<\/p>\n

\"Azim<\/p>\n

\u201cFasting Festival\u201d by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
1st Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Hindu devotees gather in Dhaka for Rakher Upobash, fasting and praying with incense and oil lamps to honour Baba Lokenath. Thousands seek blessings for health and protection, recalling the 18th century saint\u2019s life of asceticism and spiritual devotion.<\/p>\n

From breathtaking landscapes to mesmerizing abstract compositions, this year\u2019s Top 101 demonstrates how aerial photography continues to reveal extraordinary beauty hidden within the everyday world.
\n\"Azim<\/p>\n

\u201cGliding through Serenity\u201d by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
1st Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
An aerial view of a rowing team gliding through the pristine waters of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. The team is perfectly synchronized, with oars cutting cleanly into the turquoise, misty surface, leaving subtle ripples in their wake.<\/p>\n

\"Savadmon<\/p>\n

\u201cRhythm of the Oars\u201d Savadmon Avalachamveettil, Ireland \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 The Above Water Award Winner
From above the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake, three snake boats glide in perfect rhythm. Oars strike in unison, turning human effort into pattern \u2013 where tradition, teamwork, and motion merge into a single, powerful flow.<\/p>\n

\"Complete<\/p>\n

\u201cComplete Rainbow\u201d by Paolo Lazzarotti, Italy \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
\u201cWhile shooting the amazing seas off the north eastern coast of Sardinia I was suddenly caught in a rainshower at sunset and magic happened in front my disbelieving eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\u201cGolden Gate Framed\u201d by Marcin Zajac, Poland \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
The Golden Gate Bridge framed by its own iconic steel and suspension cables, overlooking the San Francisco Bay at dawn.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

\u201cShadow of Arita\u201d by Daniel Vi\u00f1\u00e9 Garcia, Spain \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
View of Cono de Arita at sunset, Puna de Atacama, Argentina. The perfectly shaped volcanic cone casts a long, geometric shadow across the vast salt flat, as warm light reveals its radial textures and the stark solitude of the high-altitude desert.<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n

\u201cOryx Walking on Dune\u201d by Zhengze Xu, China \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
Taken from a helicopter in the Namib Desert, Namibia. It was late afternoon and sunset was beautiful, illuminating dunes with golden color and amazing shadow lines. This single oryx was walking on the dunes with its shadow and footprints.<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

\u201cTumbling White Horse\u201d by Fabio Pappalettera, Italy \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
\u201cI was riding in North East Italy and catching some stills of a wonderful white horse, when suddenly he rolled over to scratch his back, raising the dust\u2014and I froze this epic moment forever!\u201d<\/p>\n

The international competition\u2019s winners offer bird\u2019s-eye views of varying landscapes, cultures, and scenes, each one giving us a glimpse of our world from a rarely seen perspective.
\n\"The<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Eye of Appenines\u201d by Valeria Castiello, Italy \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
The Sirente crater is a hidden lake in Abruzzo, a pristine and mysterious place surrounded by intriguing theories. It is believed to have a meteoric origin. If this hypothesis is confirmed, this image captures the only impact crater lake in Italy!<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n

\u201cEye\u201d by Koki Dote, Japan \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award \u2013 Top 101 Photographs
A large opening in the surface of the ice. Cracks radiating from it give the impression that something is watching from within.<\/p>\n

\"Aleksandra<\/p>\n

\u201cWater in Bavarian Countryside\u201d by Aleksandra Wilk, Germany \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 The Above Snow Award Winner
Winter in the Bavarian countryside near Lake Ammer. The onion-domed roof is characteristic of southern Germany. My intention was to capture this church which stood on a street, with nothing to disturb the composition, all white in a graphic style.<\/p>\n

\"Chengming<\/p>\n

\u201cEmerald Waves at Dusk\u201d by Chengming Liu, United States \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 The Above Mountain Award Winner
Captured above the rolling hills of San Jose, California at golden hour, this image reveals the Diablo Range at its greenest after winter rains, highlighting smooth contours and flowing patterns.<\/p>\n

\"A.J.<\/p>\n

\u201cSerration\u201d by A.J. Rich, United States \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2026 The Chairman\u2019s Award Winner
The sharp, steep and layered hills in the Badlands of Utah.<\/p>\n

\"Chin<\/p>\n

\u201cGreen City Hotel\u201d by Chin Leong Teo, Singapore\u00a0\/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2nd Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
The Park Royal on Pickering Road in Singapore feels like a lush vertical garden in the heart of the city, with a swimming pool surrounded by sky-gardens and cabanas, dramatically juxtaposed with the hectic city streets below.<\/p>\n

\"Chin<\/p>\n

\u201cDawn Net\u201d by Chin Leong Teo, Singapore \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
2nd Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
A lone fisherman casts a radiant yellow net that blooms across the water like liquid sunlight. From above, the sweeping lines wrap around his small boat, turning a simple act into a moment of quiet poetry.<\/p>\n

\"Kah-Wai<\/p>\n

\u201cThunder of Hooves\u201d by Kah-Wai Lin, United States \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
3rd Place 2026 International Aerial Photograph of the Year
At sunset in Cappadocia, Yilki horses surge across the dusty plateau. Raised by villagers and released to roam free, they embody resilience and tradition, moving like a river of fire beneath the fading Anatolian sky.<\/p>\n

\"Barbara<\/p>\n

\u201cMud Trees\u201d by Barbara Brown, Australia \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
3rd Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Flooding of Sossusvlei due to heavy rains generated tree patterns.<\/p>\n

\"Barbara<\/p>\n

\u201cPendant\u201d by Barbara Brown, Australia \/ The 2nd International Aerial Photographer of the Year<\/a>
3rd Place 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Salt Works Walvis Bay, Namibia.<\/p>\n

International Aerial Photographer of the Year: Website<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook<\/a>
\nMy Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by International Aerial Photographer of the Year.
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