ABOUT STEVEN

Steven Manolakis is a photographer based in Sydney. His images of Australian landscapes photographed from above provide a unique view of what lies surrounding us.

Since he began shooting in 2018, Steven has earned more than 90 international photography awards, commendations, and honourable mentions. The most notable accolades include winning placements in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, the IPA, Siena Awards, and Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers. His work has been published in The Eye of Photography, Australian Photography, and All About Photo magazines.

GalleryShop prints

As an aerial photographer, I hire out fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters to capture remote landscapes from above. I prefer working with a medium format camera from aircraft to ensure the highest possible image quality. This allows me to print and frame my artwork in large dimensions. The images I take have been described as fine art abstract paintings. Sometimes they can appear textured by brush strokes and coloured with paint. Not all artists are capable of creating art that transcends mediums, and I feel fortunate to have the ability to do so.

My work is inspired by a beautiful girl I met and fell in love with. Although we are not together, she remains someone special to me, and my photos try to capture the feelings I have of her. As I fly above a vast landscape, I attempt to find and draw out distinct natural features—things that remind me of her beauty, personality, and the impact she’s had on me.