I’m very excited to share that I’ve been awarded the top Judge’s Choice Award for Best Commercial Aerial Photography at the 2017 International Aerial Photographers print competition in the USA.
This recognition is especially meaningful as it honours my commercial work — imagery created for Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia to showcase one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, the Gold Coast.
The Winning Image
Captured from a helicopter at sunrise, the photograph reveals the beachfront of the Gold Coast in a moment of pure magic. The first light of the day glints across the surf rolling in below, while the line of high-rises along the shore splits the frame, leading the eye toward the horizon. It’s a perspective that balances natural beauty with the energy of a city by the sea — exactly the story we set out to tell for this campaign.
To have this image recognised by an expert international judging panel is an incredible honour, and a career highlight. Commercial aerial work demands precision, planning, and an understanding of how to translate a place into a compelling visual story. I’m grateful to Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia for trusting me with this project — and to the pilots and crews who make every shot possible.