STEVEN’S STORY
Steven at his 'Field of Dreams' exhibition in Sydney, 2024.
With over 110 international photography awards, Steven Stanley Manolakis is celebrated as a leading artist in fine art aerial photography. His journey began when he encountered Brooke Holm’s Salt and Sky, a series depicting Western Australia’s salt fields.
Inspired by the revelation that these weren’t paintings but photographs, Steven embarked on his own artistic journey, recording his first fine artworks,The Shimmer and Physis, over Shark Bay in 2018. From that moment, his passion soared.
Captured over Shark Bay in 2018, 'The Shimmer' and 'Physis' mark the start of Manolakis' fine art aerial photography journey.
A UNIQUE VISION
In a field crowded with similarity, Steven distinguishes himself through an unwavering pursuit of individuality. It’s not uncommon for him to capture hundreds of images in search of the sole gem—the one that resonates deeply with his artistic vision. Every shutter click is purposeful, and his dedication to excellence extends to the tools he uses.
He relies on the Phase One XF IQ4 150MP Camera System, the highest-resolution medium format camera on the market, to bring every detail of his vision to life. Complementing this precision, each artwork is crafted using museum-grade materials, preserving its quality for decades.
BEYOND THE SURFACE
'Untethered': Where frayed rivers mirror the fragility of connection.
Steven’s fine art aerial photography transcends mere exploration of Australia’s vast and remote terrains—it serves as a medium for intricate storytelling. His work fuses the physical and the conceptual, presenting abstract compositions that reflect not only the beauty of the land but also the emotional and existential dimensions of human life.
© Jassen Todorov
Drawing inspiration from Existentialist philosophy, his pieces delve into themes of longing, unrequited love, and the boundless spaces within and around us. Each meticulously composed image invites viewers to uncover hidden layers of meaning woven into the fabric of his art.
© Jassen Todorov
THE DRIVE FOR
GROWTH
Despite his accolades, Steven remains grounded in his commitment to growth and exploration. His academic studies in Philosophy at Sydney’s Macquarie University have enriched his understanding of human existence and emotion—concepts that echo profoundly through his art. Building on his passion for flight, Steven is now training as an airline pilot, uniting his artistic vision with a heightened connection to the skies. This chapter embodies the ethos of his artistry: navigating vast landscapes—both external and internal—in search of meaning and mastery.
Steven’s dedication has earned him recognition on All About Photo’s list of the most promising rising photographers. His achievements include being a Semi-Finalist in the 2023 Head On Photo Awards, a Finalist in the 2020 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, and receiving the title of Remarkable Artwork in the 2022 Siena Awards.
Recipient of prestigious photography awards.
Main Partners
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Awards
[65]10th Annual Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
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Neuron, Nominee, Seascape
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Serpentine, Nominee, Landscape
10th International Imaging Competition
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Cerulean Veil, 4th Place (94.80 score), Australia Gold Cup, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Vestige, 7th Place (94.33 score), Australia Gold Cup, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Cerulean Veil, #32, Top 100, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Cerulean Veil, Gold, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Vestige, Gold, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Merlot, Silver, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
11th Fine Art Photography Awards
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Dune, Nominee, Landscape
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Red Sands, Blue Heart, Nominee, Landscape
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Scarlet Ribbon (renamed 'Merlot'), Nominee, Landscape
12th Annual International Color Awards
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Bloodless, Nominee, Aerial
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Contentment, Nominee, Aerial
13th Annual International Color Awards
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Blue Dragon, Nominee, Aerial
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Cascade, Nominee, Aerial
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Displace, Nominee, Aerial
International Photography Awards
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Shark Bay Series, Honourable Mention, Nature - Landscapes
London International Creative Competition
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Shark Bay Aerial Series, Shortlist, Photography
Tokyo International Foto Awards
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Shark Bay Aerial Series, Bronze, Nature - Aerial
5th Annual Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
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Shark Bay Series I, Nominee, Nature
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Shark Bay Series II, Nominee, Nature
6th Annual Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
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Beautiful Australia (series), Nominee, Landscape
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Beautiful Australia Part II (series), Nominee, Nature
8th Annual Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
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The Kimberley (series), Nominee, Seascape
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The Kimberley II (series), Nominee, Nature
9th Annual Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA)
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Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (series), Nominee, Abstract – Landscape
9th International Imaging Competition
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Still, 2nd Place (93.62 score), Australia Gold Cup, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Still, #32, Top 100, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Neuron, Gold, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Still, Gold, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Broken Moon, Silver, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Untethered, Silver, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
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Delta (renamed 'Tendril'), Bronze, Aerial or Drone - Fine Art Category
Mirror, Mirror
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Agora Gallery, New York, NY, United States
Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers
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Archetypal, Top 20, Single Shot
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Accentuate, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Blue Dragon, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Causal Loop, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Delicate, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Dissociate, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Hope (Despair) (series), Highly Commended, Landscape
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The Kimberley (series), Highly Commended, Landscape
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Lament, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Neuron, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Pink Twist (renamed Twisted), Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Still, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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Iridescent, Commended, Single Shot
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
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Blue Dragon, Finalist, Landscape
Australian Photographic Prize
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Neuron, Semi-Finalist, Digital Photographer
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Untethered, Semi-Finalist, Digital Photographer
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Physis, Semi-Finalist, Digital Photographer
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Blue Dragon, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Chance, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Delicate, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Dissociate, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Germinate, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Release, Commended, Digital Photographer
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The Shimmer, Commended, Digital Photographer
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Still, Commended, Digital Photographer
Australian Photographic Prize
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Cerulean Veil, Silver, Aerial
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Merlot, Silver, Aerial
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Paisley, Silver, Aerial
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The Lagoon, Silver, Aerial
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Opaline, Highly Commended, Aerial
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The Expanse, Highly Commended, Aerial
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Vestige, Highly Commended, Aerial
Australian Photography Magazine
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'The Kimberley' (series) published on page 52 in the February 2022 issue
Australian Photography Awards
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Broken Moon, Shortlist, Student Category
Australian Photography POTY
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The Kimberley (series), Top 10, Aerial
Australian Photography POTY
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Broken Moon, Commended, Single Shot
Australian Photography POTY
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Red Sands, Blue Heart, Finalist, Aerial
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Merlot, Highly Commended, Single Shot
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The Expanse, Commended, Single Shot
Capture Magazine
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'Archetypal' featured on page 42 in the May–July issue
Chromatic Photography Awards
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Archetypal, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Blue Dragon, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Gilded River, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Physis, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Transfusion, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
Chromatic Photography Awards
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Delta (renamed 'Tendril'), Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Germinate, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Lament, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Neuron, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Still, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Untethered, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
Chromatic Photography Awards
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Broken Moon, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
Chromatic Photography Awards
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Cerulean Veil, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Dune, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Merlot, Honourable Mention, Landscapes
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Sapphire Jewel, Honourable Mention, Abstract
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Solaris, Honourable Mention, Abstract
Creative Communication Award
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Beautiful Australia (series), Best of Best, Photography - Landscape
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Beautiful Australia (series), Best of Best, Photography - Nature
Creative Communication Award
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The Kimberley (series), Best of Best, Photography - Landscape
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The Kimberley (series), Best of Best, Photography - Nature
Creative Communication Award
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Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (series), Best of Best, Photography – Landscape
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Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (series), Winner, Photography – Nature
Creative Communication Award
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Broken Moon, Best of Best, Landscape
Field of Dreams
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Studio 551, Newtown, NSW, Australia
Head On Photo Awards
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Neuron, Semi-finalist, Landscape Awards
Independent Photographer April Landscape Theme Competition
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The Shimmer, Honorary Mention (3rd position)
Independent Photographer April Landscape Theme Competition
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Oblivion, 3rd Prize
Independent Photographer January Color Theme Competition
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Orange Sea Lake (renamed 'Burnt Orange'), Finalist
International Photography Awards
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Beautiful Australia (series), Fine Art - Landscape
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Beautiful Australia (series), Nature - Aerial / Drone
International Photography Awards
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The Kimberley II (series), Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Abstract
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The Kimberley II (series), Honourable Mention, Nature - Landscape
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The Kimberley II (series), Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Landscape
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Chance, Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Landscape
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The Whitsundays (series), Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Landscape
International Photography Awards
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Delta (renamed 'Tendril'), Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Germinate, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (series), Official Selection, Nature – Landscape
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Lament, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Neuron, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Physis, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Physis, Official Selection, Nature – Landscape
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Still, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Varnish, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
International Photography Awards
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Burrup, Official Selection, Fine Art - Landscape
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Linyji — Marnipurl Creek, Official Selection, Fine Art - Landscape
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Velvet, Official Selection, Fine Art - Landscape
International Photography Awards
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Broken Moon, Honourable Mention, Nature - Aerial / Drone
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Broken Moon, Official Selection, Nature - Aerial / Drone
International Photography Awards
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Merlot, Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Landscape
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Eruption, Official Selection, Nature - Aerial / Drone
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Red Sands, Blue Heart (Series), Official Selection, Nature - Aerial / Drone
IPA One Shot Photo Contest: Color
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Gilded River, Official Selection, Nature
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The Shimmer, Official Selection, Nature
L'Œil de la Photographie
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'The Kimberley' (series) featured in the 'Weekend Portfolios' section of the January 15th edition
London International Creative Competition
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Beautiful Australia (series), Honourable Mention, Photography
London International Creative Competition
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The Kimberley (series), Finalist, SHOOT (photo/video)
Moscow International Foto Awards
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Iceland Aerial Series, Silver, Subcategory Winner Fine Art - Abstract
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Iceland Aerial Series, Bronze, Subcategory Winner Nature - Aerial
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Shark Bay Aerial Series, Bronze, Subcategory Winner Nature - Aerial
Moscow International Foto Awards
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The Kimberley (series), Silver, Subcategory Winner, Nature - Aerial
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The Kimberley (series), Bronze, Subcategory Winner, Fine Art - Landscape
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Chance, Honourable Mention, Fine Art - Abstract
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Chance, Honourable Mention, Nature - Aerial
Moscow International Foto Awards
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Germinate, Bronze, Fine Art – Landscape
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Physis, Bronze, Nature – Aerial
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Crescent, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Delicate, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Hope-Despair, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Lament, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Nausea, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Neuron, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Release, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Tail, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Unthethered, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Varnish, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
Muse Photography Awards
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The Kimberley (series), Platinum, Fine Art Photography – Nature
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Neuron, Platinum, Fine Art Photography – Landscape
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The Kimberley (series), Gold, Fine Art Photography – Landscape
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Lament, Gold, Fine Art Photography – Landscape
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Varnish, Silver, Fine Art Photography – Landscape
ND Awards
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Iceland Aerial Series, Honorable Mention, Nature - Aerial
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Shark Bay Aerial Series, Honorable Mention, Nature - Aerial
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Shark Bay Series, Honorable Mention, Fine Art - Abstract
ND Awards
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Beautiful Australia (series), Honourable Mention, Nature - Aerial
ND Awards
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The Kimberley (series), Honourable Mention, Nature - Aerial
ND Awards
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Cerulean Veil, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
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Eruption, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
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Merlot, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
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Opaline, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
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Solaris, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
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Vestige, Honourable Mention, Nature – Aerial
ND Awards
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Neuron, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Ode, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Yearning, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
Prix De La Photographie Paris
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Blue Dragon, Honourable Mention, Nature – Landscape
Siena Photo Awards
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Neuron, Remarkable Artwork, The Beauty of Nature
Fusion Art 2nd International Photography Competition
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Burnt Orange, 3rd Place
The Capture Awards
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Broken Moon, Commended, Landscape and Environment
The Chelsea International Photography Competition
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Untethered, Cash Prize Winner
The Landscape Awards
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Dissociate, Highly Commended, Seascape
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Lament, Highly Commended, Seascape
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Neuron, Highly Commended, Seascape
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Release, Highly Commended, Seascape
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Germinate, Commended, Seascape
The Motif Collective December Minimalism Theme
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Still, Shortlisted
The Motif Collective February Landscape Theme
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Blue Dragon, Shortlisted
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Hope-Despair, Shortlisted
Tokyo International Foto Awards
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The Kimberley (series), Bronze, Nature – Aerial
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Delicate, Honourable Mention, Fine Art – Landscape
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Accentuate, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Hope-Despair, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
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Still, Official Selection, Fine Art – Landscape
