The inaugural International Aerial Photography Awards have been announced this week with the overall prize for an outstanding portfolio going to American photographer Joanna Steidle.

Based in The Hamptons, New York, Steidle has won numerous awards over the past decade, building a reputation for breathtaking aerial art photography.

“Aerial photography offers so many possibilities not yet explored,” Steidle said, adding that every day she is excited to look for unique subjects and moments, staying away from the ordinary.

Joanna Steidle says her photography is combined with a love for marine life. Photo / Joanna Steidle

“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.”

Steidle received a US$5000 ($8200) cash prize and trophy for winning the competition, which grew out of the International Landscape Photography Awards.

The inaugural competition attracted more than 1500 entries from around the world. Photo / Ignacio Palacios

“After a decade of running the successful International Landscape Photographer of the Year awards [we] noticed an increase in the number of stunning aerial photographs and wondered if there was room for a special competition dedicated to the art and practice of aerial photography,” said chairman of judges Peter Eastway.

“Photographers today are capturing some simply breathtaking views from above.

“[They are] using modern drones equipped with high-resolution sensors, others are using more traditional (and more expensive) modes of transport, flying high above in planes, helicopters and even balloons.

The awards had a US$10,000 prize pool and will publish the top 101 entries in a book. Photo / Pal Hermansen

“A total cash prize pool of US$10,000 is to be distributed among the winners and runners-up across six categories and the top 101 entries will be featured in a high-quality book available for purchase later this year.”

The inaugural award attracted more than 1500 entries from around the world.

Fabien Guittard's shot of two seals basking on a drifting ice slab in Iceland’s Jokulsarlon lagoon won the Chairman's Choice Award. Photo / Fabien Guittard

With few rules in place, except photographs “must be created by a real person and no AI that generates new content is permitted”, the emphasis was on creativity and imagination, leaving it to judges to determine what best represents a great aerial photograph.

Photographers from Australia, France, Spain, Norway and Canada are represented in the top tier of winners and runners-up, but the final 101 are from many other parts of the earth.

To see more and purchase a copy of the book, go to internationalaerialphotographer.com