International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2026
International Aerial Photographer of the Year (ILPOTY) is a competition focused on aerial photography across all capture platforms — drones, planes, helicopters, hot air balloons, and even high-vantage-point work from mountains and skyscrapers. The eligibility criterion is the perspective of the image, not the equipment used to make it.
Submitted work must be aerial perspective and shot since January 2021 — recency restricted. AI-generated work is not accepted.
Top prize is $10,000. Submission is unlimited — entrants can submit as many images as they want for a single $22 entry fee, which is unusual for the competition format.
The 2026 jury is chaired by Peter Eastway, with Tom Hegen (the German photographer best known for aerial views of industrial landscapes), Isabella Tabacchi, and drone photographer Joanna Steidle.
Eligibility is open globally. Submission is through the awards' Secure Platform portal. The 2026 deadline was April 30; results announced July 2026.
Jury: Peter Eastway, Photographer (Chairman) · Tom Hegen, Photographer · Isabella Tabacchi, Photographer · Joanna Steidle, Drone Photographer
Organized by International Aerial Photographer of the Year