Nature nominee

Located in Australia's beautiful northwest, the Kimberley is one of the world’s oldest and largest wilderness landscapes. Its predominantly untouched coastline featuring pristine white silica shores and shimmering azure seas is an extraordinary contrast to the towering red sandstone escarpments, open sky and sweeping plains. Delicate coastal sandbanks, isles, inlets and other natural phenomena are routinely unveiled by the retreat of large tidal currents which dictate when and what to explore throughout the region, whilst providing a stunning canvas unrivalled on the Australian landscape.

Born in America and based in Australia, Manolakis is a self-taught, multi-awarding-winning fine art aerial landscape photographer. He has garnered impressive attention from the global art community for his unique techniques, heart-wrenching backstory, and his devotion to revealing nature’s majesty through previously unseen viewpoints.

Armed with little more than a flight plan and his camera, Manolakis navigates Australia from overhead, seizing and unveiling the country’s iconic landscapes from hidden angles that expose nature’s mosaic of colours, lines, shapes, and textures. According to Manolakis, just 1% of his photos make the cut.

Manolakis considers himself fortunate to call the Great Southern Land home – but he craves more cinematic grandeur than Sydney can offer. Once a year, he ventures into the atmosphere, orbiting (and re-orbiting) geographic features from small bush planes and helicopters. Despite his young age, Manolakis has already been recognised by All About Photo as one of the most promising rising photographers, propelling the Australian fine art community forward with his distinctive composition and meticulous attention to detail.