“Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer – and often the supreme disappointment.” – Ansel Adams
Landscape photography has a long and storied history, with generations of talented photographers striving to capture the majesty of our planet. This tradition continues today with a new generation of rising stars whose imagery beautifully conveys the diverse landscapes found in every corner of the world. To celebrate our 2024 Landscape Photography Award (open for entries until the end of the month), we’ve put together a list of contemporary landscape photographers we believe should be on your radar.
1. Tobias Hägg (SE)
One of landscape photography’s most prominent new names, Stockholm-based Tobias Hägg (judge of our 2024 Landscape Award, open for entries until the end of the month) has captivated viewers with his breathtaking depictions of some of the world’s most beautiful locations. From aerial shots of Iceland’s iconic braided glacial rivers to dramatic views of Guilin, China, with its karst formations peeking through clouds and bathed in morning sunlight, Hägg’s images showcase the most incredible landscapes on the planet in all their glory.
– Follow Tobias on Instagram
2. Brooke Holm (US/AU)
California-born NYC-based photographer Brooke Holm, came to our attention in 2018 with her stunning aerial depiction of a glacial river in Iceland which claimed 2nd prize winner in our Color Award. Since then her reputation has grown exponentially thanks to her stunning aerial imagery, often rendered in minimalist color palettes that evoke abstract paintings. Her passion for photography developed at an early age, through her plane travels between her parents’ homes in Australia and California, culminating in her first helicopter shoot over New Zealand, which laid the foundation for her practice. Despite its painterly beauty, Holm’s work transcends fine art, delving into humanity’s relationship with nature. In her conceptual projects, like Valle Mortis, she juxtaposes California’s Death Valley with Martian landscapes to explore environmental change and human impact, prompting reflection on our interaction with the planet.
– Follow Brooke on Instagram
3. Hannes Becker (DE)
Judge of our 2022 Landscape Award, German-based photographer Hannes Becker has built a reputation as one of today’s most skilled landscape photographers thanks to his extraordinary depictions of rugged landscapes across Europe and beyond. Inspired by a deep appreciation for the natural world rooted in his rural upbringing, Becker explores some of the planet’s most beautiful and untamed places—from the Faroe Islands and Norway to his native Germany and the USA. His breathtaking images capture the raw magnificence of these landscapes, imparting a profound sense of wonder and admiration for nature’s immeasurable beauty.
– Follow Hannes on Instagram
4. Adrian Vila (ES)
Adrian Vila (aka AOWS) is a US-based photographer whose captivating landscape imagery beautifully showcases the unique and enduring power of monochrome in landscape photography. He is particularly fascinated by what he calls ‘in-between places’—areas where the natural world intersects with man-made structures. In his work, abandoned buildings, power lines, and fences juxtapose elegantly against breathtaking landscapes, creating a unique, somewhat enigmatic atmosphere. Devoted to his craft, Vila embraces a nomadic lifestyle, continually exploring new frontiers to capture in his distinctive artistic style.
– Follow Adrian on Instagram
5. Jennifer Esseiva (CH)
Switzerland is renowned for its breathtaking vistas, and few capture their majesty as beautifully as Jennifer Esseiva, a rising star in landscape photography known for her signature atmospheric style. Though still relatively unknown, she is beginning to gain recognition for her talent in portraying the sweeping scenery of her homeland and other rugged locations, such as the Faroe Islands and Madeira. Her work transforms these stunning scenes into atmospheric fine art pieces that exude a cinematic quality, with the occasional presence of lone figures accentuating the scale and grandeur of the landscapes.
– Follow Jennifer on Instagram
6. Jakob Lilja-Ruiz (US)
One of our favorite young landscape photographers, Jakob Lilja-Ruiz, is a passionate advocate for analog photography, and his beautiful, color-rich images showcase its enduring power. Initially starting with digital photography, the US-based artist quickly transitioned to film after discovering it helped him “to find a deeper connection to his subjects” by focusing on “feelings over sharpness.” It was a transformative decision, setting the foundation for his practice and allowing him to develop a unique perspective that shines through in his wanderlust-inducing depictions of the American West, offering a unique, compelling take on a well-documented subject.
– Follow Jakob on Instagram
7. Kai Hornung (DE)
Kai Hornung is an award-winning German photographer renowned for his breathtaking landscape imagery that beautifully captures the serenity and majesty of nature. Although he first picked up a camera over fifteen years ago, his serious journey into photography truly began in 2016, inspired by a transformative trip to Ireland. Hornung’s images reflect his immediate reactions to the natural world, driven by instinct and shaped by a masterful understanding of light, composition, and tone. From vast vistas to intimate details, he creates painting-like compositions that evoke a profound sense of peace and harmony.
– Follow Kai on Instagram
8. Daniel Casson (GB)
English photographer Daniel Casson captures color-rich images that showcase the often-overlooked beauty of his homeland. While he has spent time capturing other parts of the UK, such as the Scottish Highlands, and, has more recently, also ventured further afield, much of his work focuses on the verdant fields, undulating scenery, and stone-walled villages of England—particularly the Peak District near his childhood home in the north. His keen understanding of light, excellent framing, and meticulous editing engender stunning painting-like compositions that eloquently convey the unique beauty and charm of the English countryside.
– Follow Daniel on Instagram
9. Sara Zanini (IT)
A finalist in our 2021 Landscape Award, Italian photographer Sara Zanini is a prolific traveler, who captures some of the most beautiful places in the world. A master of drone photography, she combines her skill with an impressive eye for light, tone, and composition to create breathtaking aerial images of her homeland and beyond. Zanini says she aims to convey the wonder she experiences when standing before these magnificent vistas—an endeavour she accomplishes brilliantly!
– Follow Sara on Instagram
10. Thaddäus Biberauer (AT)
Thaddäus Biberauer is a self-taught Austrian photographer whose ethereal landscapes have a profound, dreamlike quality. He only purchased his first camera in 2019, initially, to escape the mundanity of daily life, but quickly discovered photography’s transformative power, which he said deepened his appreciation for the beauty around him. Inspired by his rural Austrian upbringing, Biberauer—guided more by intuition than by meticulous planning, transforming moments in meadows, forests, and rivers into poetic imagery with a distinct painterly feel.
– Follow Thaddäus on Instagram
All images © their respective owners