San Juan Islands / Salish Sea Aerial Photography

A glowing sunset spreads across the San Juan Islands from above Orcas Island in Washington State. San Juan Island lies to the left, with Spieden Island and Stuart Island farther across the center and right, all surrounded by the calm waters of the Salish Sea beneath warm evening light.

A peaceful aerial view of a Washington State ferry gliding across Puget Sound toward the San Juan Islands under a vivid red and orange sunset sky. The evening light paints the calm waters in glowing tones of gold and rose, capturing the quiet beauty of the Pacific Northwest from above.

Growing up in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, I’ve always been captivated by the region’s natural beauty — from its dramatic coastlines and island waterways to its mountain ranges and vibrant cities. This gallery showcases that beauty from a new dimension: the aerial perspective.
Featuring drone, helicopter, and small aircraft still photography, this collection reveals the Northwest’s landscapes, skylines, and seascapes in breathtaking detail. From the glowing peaks of the North Cascades to the iconic Seattle skyline at sunset, each image offers a unique sense of scale and wonder that only comes from photographing the world from above.

Warm sunset light settles over the San Juan Islands in this aerial view above Shaw Island, looking toward Orcas Island in Washington State. Layered island silhouettes, winding waterways, and glowing reflections across the Salish Sea create a calm and timeless Northwest scene.

A summer aerial view of Roche Harbor Marina on San Juan Island, Washington, with boats filling the harbor beneath clear afternoon light. Forested shoreline, blue water, docks, and the historic waterfront create a classic view of one of the best-known destinations in the San Juan Islands.

A tranquil aerial view looking northwest over Shaw Island in the San Juan Islands at sunset. Soft evening light and pastel tones wash across the water and island silhouettes, revealing the quiet beauty of the Salish Sea and the layered geography of this island landscape in Washington State.

A Washington State Ferry winds through the San Juan Islands on its return toward Anacortes, surrounded by forested islands and narrow channels of the Salish Sea. From above, the layered geography shows why this spectacular island route is both an essential transportation link and one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the Pacific Northwest.

A Washington State Ferry arrives at the small Shaw Island ferry dock in the San Juan Islands. Compared with the more developed communities on Orcas Island and San Juan Island, Shaw remains quieter and more rural, with forest, shoreline, and open water dominating the landscape. This aerial view captures that understated character along the Salish Sea.

The last light of sunset glows across the San Juan Islands in Washington State, turning the water soft pink and lavender while the forested islands fall into deep silhouette. From above, the winding channels and layered islands of the Salish Sea create a quiet, expansive Pacific Northwest landscape.