Skip to content

Best Aerial Photography Books of 2026

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook

Last Updated:

Save
Share

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Aerial photography books offer a unique perspective on the world around us. These books showcase stunning images captured from above, giving readers a bird's eye view of landscapes, cityscapes, and natural wonders. Whether you're an amateur photographer looking to improve your skills or simply enjoy admiring beautiful photography, aerial photography books are a great addition to any collection. With a range of subjects and styles to choose from, there's something for everyone in the world of aerial photography books.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Aerial Photography Books

#TOP 1

Gray Malin: Coastal

  • Malin, Gray
  • May 9, 2023
Gray Malin: Coastal Cover

Gray Malin: Coastal

Gray Malin's Coastal is a breathtaking collection of aerial beach photography, featuring coastal locations from around the world. This book showcases never-before-published photographs of beaches in the United States, Hawaii, and international destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. Malin takes readers on a journey to the secluded, celebrated, and enchanting beaches of the world. Fans of Malin's previous book, Beaches, will love this new installment. The book is a must-have for travel photography enthusiasts and anyone who loves the beauty of beaches.

9.9
FTB Score

Gray Malin: Italy

  • Malin, Gray
  • Abrams
  • May 14, 2019
Gray Malin: Italy Cover

Gray Malin: Italy

Gray Malin: Italy is a stunning portrayal of the Italian coastline through the lens of fine-art photographer Gray Malin. The book features never-before-seen images of the country’s famous destinations, highlighting the Riviera's luxurious lifestyle and the beauty of the beaches, coasts, and landscapes. Malin captures the essence of the Italian Dolce Vita, showcasing retro beach umbrellas, luxury motorboats, and happy beachgoers. The book is a perfect addition to any coffee table and a must-have for travel photography enthusiasts. Overall, Gray Malin: Italy is a beautiful and unique book that transports the reader to the picturesque Italian coastline.

9.8
FTB Score

Gray Malin: The Essential Collection

  • Malin, Gray
  • Harry N. Abrams
  • May 4, 2021
Gray Malin: The Essential Collection Cover

Gray Malin: The Essential Collection

The Gray Malin: The Essential Collection is a stunning volume that showcases the first decade of work from the renowned photographer. It features his most iconic shoots and never-before-seen material, taking readers on a colorful journey across all seven continents. From Manhattan's skyline to Positano's sunny beaches, Malin's work is unforgettable. The book also includes stories of how each collection was made, offering a glimpse into the artist's creative process. Overall, this travel photography book is a must-have for anyone who loves art, travel, and adventure.

9.6
FTB Score

Escape

  • Malin, Gray
  • Malin, Gray
  • Abrams
  • Oct 3, 2017
Escape Cover

Escape

Escape by Gray Malin is a collection of stunning photographs that take readers beyond the beaches and into exotic locations around the world. With over 22 destinations across 11 countries, Malin's sharp eye captures the exuberant colors and striking forms that make each location so unique. The book also includes highlights from Malin's conceptual photography, offering a comprehensive look at the photographer's desire to showcase the beauty he sees in the world. Escape is a celebration of light, shadow, and absolute bliss, inspiring every lover of travel and exploration to plan an escape of their own.

9.6
FTB Score

Beaches

  • Malin, Gray
  • Abrams
  • May 10, 2016
Beaches Cover

Beaches

Beaches by Gray Malin is a New York Times bestseller that features awe-inspiring aerial photographs of beaches from around the world. Shot from doorless helicopters, Malin's photographs capture playful and stunning celebrations of light, shape, and perspective, as well as summer bliss. The book features over twenty cities across six continents, including Sydney, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, and Capri. Malin's work is a perfect combination of travel, adventure, luxury, and artistry, creating the ultimate visual escape. Beaches is a must-have for anyone who loves landscape photography books and is looking for a unique way to experience the world's most beautiful beaches.

9.5
FTB Score

Trope Chicago

  • Landers, Sam
  • Maday, Tom
  • Trope Publishing Co.
  • Oct 1, 2018
Trope Chicago Cover

Trope Chicago

The Trope Chicago book is a stunning collection of 206 photographs of Chicago taken by 27 independent photographers from the city and beyond, showcasing a unique perspective of the city. Divided into eight chapters, the book focuses on the lakefront and downtown areas, featuring iconic buildings, streets, and parks. The photographs reflect the interests of the photographers, shot at different times of the day, in different seasons, and with different tones, giving each image a contemporary and urban sensibility. The book is a must-have for photography lovers and anyone who wants to see Chicago in a new light.

9.5
FTB Score
#TOP 7

Overview: A New Perspective of Earth

  • Grant, Benjamin
  • Amphoto Books
  • Oct 25, 2016
Overview: A New Perspective of Earth Cover

Overview: A New Perspective of Earth

Overview: A New Perspective of Earth is a stunning collection of satellite images that offer a unique look at humanity from above. The book features over 200 high definition photographs of industry, agriculture, architecture, and nature, capturing the sense of wonder gained from a new, aerial vantage point. The Wall Street Journal calls it "absolutely gorgeous, yet utterly gut-wrenching" and The Guardian says "photos of Earth from above will change your outlook of the planet." Author Benjamin Grant's inspiration for the book comes from his wildly popular Daily Overview Instagram account. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in landscape photography and human impact on the planet.

9.5
FTB Score
#TOP 8

Mothmeister: Dark and Dystopian Post-Mortem Fairy Tales

  • Lannoo Publishers
  • Lannoo Publishers
  • May 31, 2021
Mothmeister: Dark and Dystopian Post-Mortem Fairy Tales Cover

Mothmeister: Dark and Dystopian Post-Mortem Fairy Tales

Mothmeister's Dark and Dystopian Post-Mortem Fairy Tales is an eerie and surreal collection of taxidermy, photography, and art that flirts with the morbid, religious, and grotesque. The Belgian duo's second book pays homage to their muses, featuring human-animal hybrids in otherworldly landscapes and stuffed animals brought back to life in an extraordinary way. Their first book, Weird and Wonderful Post-Mortem Fairy Tales, was incredibly popular and sold out. This book is just as haunting and thought-provoking. Lannoo Publishers has done an excellent job of presenting Mothmeister's unique and unsettling aesthetic.

9.3
FTB Score
#TOP 9

Trope London

  • Landers, Sam
  • Maday, Tom
  • Trope Publishing Co.
  • May 30, 2019
Trope London Cover

Trope London

Trope London is a collection of 199 stunning photographs that celebrates the meeting of traditional and modern architecture in London. The book features the work of fourteen emerging and independent photographers who have a collective Instagram following of one million. Each of the nine chapters is accompanied by a map, along with the locations where the photographs were taken. This carefully curated and bound collection offers a new perspective of London, showcasing both the moody romanticism and striking modernism of contemporary London. Overall, Trope London is a must-have for anyone who loves travel photography and wants to explore the beauty of London through the lens of talented photographers.

9.3
FTB Score

Powder: The Greatest Ski Runs on the Planet

  • Thorne, Patrick
  • Quercus
  • Oct 7, 2014
Powder: The Greatest Ski Runs on the Planet Cover

Powder: The Greatest Ski Runs on the Planet

Powder: The Greatest Ski Runs on the Planet is a visually stunning guide to the most impressive, thrilling, and scenic ski runs around the world. It includes classic runs in popular destinations like Chamonix, Whistler, and Jackson Hole, as well as offbeat and exotic locations such as the Himalayas, the Atlas Mountains, and Antarctica. Written by Patrick 'Snowhunter' Thorne, a ski expert who has skied every skiable location on the planet, Powder is the ultimate bucket list for any snowsports enthusiast. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves skiing and snowboarding and wants to experience the most breathtaking runs the world has to offer.

9.3
FTB Score

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much can you make doing aerial photography?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $81,500 and as low as $15,500, the majority of Aerial Photography salaries currently range between $29,000 (25th percentile) to $52,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $65,500 annually across the United States.

2. What can I use for aerial photos?

Camera brands aside, the best aerial photo cameras need to have high resolution with fast shutter speeds and high ISO range. A camera with a powerful processor along with a fast lens is the best combination for aerial photography.

Editor's Notes

During our aerial photography book research, we found 1,200+ aerial photography book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,884 customer reviews through our big data system to write the aerial photography books list. We found that most customers choose aerial photography books with an average price of $31.96.

Written by

Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.