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PAPA Aerial Photographer of the Year

 

The PAPA Aerial Photographer of the Year award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the PAPA association.

This award is given once a year to a member who has demonstrated one or more of the following qualifications:


  • Continuous excellence in aerial photography
  • Significant contributions to aerial photography
  • Is in the public eye via books, exhibits, lectures, publications, or visual presentations in other forms
  • Has made a single outstanding achievement
  • Has made long-term service to the association or its members
  • Has a minimum of 3 years PAPA membership


Members can nominate themselves or submit the names and qualifications of another member. The judging committee will consist of the PAPA Board of Directors and will have the final word as to the recipient may be. In the event of two nominated members of equal qualifications, both members may be awarded.


The award consists of a commemorative piece in etched crystal, presented at the International annual meeting or if that is not possible, then it is presented in person or by mail to the recipient at the earliest opportunity. The first award was bestowed in 2006.

 

Dennis Horgan 2024

Aerial photography is a labour of love for Dennis Horgan of Cork Ireland. With a passion for aviation since he witnessed the opening of Cork Airport in 1962, he has combined his love of aircraft and the stunning Irish landscape with his innate talent for photography. Dennis was selected receive the 2024 award for his aerial imagery exhibition in Cork in addition to satying the public eye with his many books and his continuous excellence in his art.


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Jesper Larsen 2023

Jesper, owner of Luftfoto Aerial photography of Denmark, was selected to receive the award for his beautiful aerial imagery exhibition in Copenhagen, his books of aerial imagery and his longtime commitment to PAPA and aerial imagery excellence

Niki Britton 2021

Niki, photographer and pilot for the 111th Aerials in California, was selected to receive the award after being in the public eye with a major news story and cover photo in AOPA Magazine, her longtime commitment to PAPA and aerial imagery excellence.


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Amy Hartsfield 2021

Amy, owner of Aerial Photography by Amy in Pace, Florida, was selected to receive the award for the development of on-line meetings, presentations and classes for PAPA during the Covid restrictions of 2020-2022 and for her longtime commitment to PAPA and aerial imagery excellence.



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Jean-Luc Kaiser 2020

Jean-Luc, owner of L'Europe Vue du Ciel (Europe Seen from the Sky) of Hageville, France, was selected to receive the award for the development and use of his fuel efficient green observer aircraft for use in mapping, his enviable ability to stay in the public eye through promotions of his business, for his longtime commitment to PAPA, and for his aerial imagery excellence.


Charlie Sarratt 2019

Charlie, owner of Skysite Images of North Carolina, was selected to receive the award for his early adoption of drone technologies, his longtime commitment to PAPA, and for his aerial photography excellence from airplane and UAV platforms.



Award Winners through the Years

2024 - Dennis Horgan, Dennis Horgan Aerial Photography, Cork, Ireland

2023 - Jesper Larsen, Luftfotograf, Copenhagen, Denmark

2021 - Niki Britton, The 111th Aerial Photography, Gilroy, California

2021 - Amy Hartsfield, Aerial Photos by Amy, Pace, Florida

2020 - Jean-Luc Kaiser, L'Europe Vue du Ciel, Hageville, France

2019 - Charlie Sarratt, Skysite Images, Raleigh, NC

2018 - Todd Quam, Digital Sky Aerial Imaging, Elk Grove, CA

2017- Curt Waltz, Aerialscapes, Chicago, IL

2016 - David Wyatt, Loftics, Kennewick, Washington
2015 - Brian Powers, Hawaiian Images, Kaililua-Kona, Hawaii
2014 - John Wark, AirPhoto, Pueblo, Colorado
2013 - Allen Macbean, Photographic Solutions, Orem, Utah
2012 - Jim Wark, AirPhoto, Pueblo, Colorado
2011 - Yvonne Sanderson, Focal Plane Aerial Photography, Cleveland, Ohio
2010 - Mark Holtzman, West Coast Aerial Photography, Los Angeles, CA
2009 - Yves Tremblay, Photo Helico, Hatley, Quebec, Canada
2008 - Lee Ross, Sky View Pictures, Suffern, New York
2007 - Herb Lingl, Aerial Archives, Lakeport, California
2006 - Jim Wark, AirPhoto, Pueblo, Colorado