ABOUT STEVEN

Steven Manolakis is an American 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 over 100 international photography awards, commendations, nominations, and honourable mentions. Most notably, he was a finalist in the 2020 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, part of the Official Selection in the 2022 International Photography Awards, and awarded Remarkable Artwork in the 2022 Siena Awards. His work has been published in The Eye of Photography and Australian Photography magazines, and All About Photo has declared him one of the most promising rising photographers.

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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.