Aya Okawa is an award-winning aerial and environmental photographer and visual anthropologist who enjoys shooting landscape transformation, abstract patterns, and documenting the interaction of natural and human systems.
Aya experiments with photography as a way to create space to slow down and study moments of being, in simplicity and complexity. She sees photographs as both research and meditation; either inspiring to ask more questions or to simply enjoy silence. Aya is passionate about studying the natural world and learning through seeing.
Her work has been printed in the National Geographic Magazine, the National Geographic book 'Spectacle', Newsweek (Polksa), Natur, Open Skies Magazine, The Washington Post, The Daily Mail, The Guardian, National Geographic Travel, and the National Geographic Traveller Magazine. In 2017 Aya was the Grand Prize winner of The Weather Channel, 'It’s Amazing Out There' Photo Contest, and her photos have won recognition at the International Photo Awards, Photo District News, Tokyo International Foto Awards, PX3, The Big Picture, Smithsonian Magazine and the California Academy of Sciences. Aya’s work is currently featured on the Samsung Frame TV in collaboration with Nava Contemporary. She is also a contributor to National Geographic Your Shot, National Geographic’s global photography community.
Aya is passionate about exploring the natural world and protecting ecosystems and wild lands. She can often be found at the wee hours hauling around a heavy tripod and camera or taking photographs from small planes. She is available for international collaborations & assignments, and shoots regularly in the Continental U.S., Hawai’i, Europe, and New Zealand. Contact her for commissions, licensing and prints.
Publications & Awards
Select Publications:
Spectacle: National Geographic (Printed Oct 2018)
National Geographic Travel - A Local Photographer's Guide to San Francisco
National Geographic Travel - A Local Photographer's Guide to San Francisco (Mandarin)
Daily Mail - A Real Ghost Town - Bodie, California
National Geographic Magazine Online version - April 2016
National Geographic Photo of the Day (May 2017 - Transport Tetris, Sept 2016 - Old Faithful at Rest, April 2016 - Icelandic Glider, Dec 2015 - Puerco River Sunrise)
National Geographic YourShot Daily Dozen
Washington Post Travel (Aug 2016)
Newsweek Polska (Oct 2016)
Natur (Jan 2017)
National Geographic España 'Planeta Tierra' (June 2017)
National Geographic Photo '46 Amazing Pictures to Inspire Your Travels'
Emirates Air Magazine, Open Skies (Printed May 2017) 'Gold Rush Ghost Town'
Smithsonian Magazine Photo of the Day ( April 25, 2018 - Tulip Blooms, August 30, 2017 - Golden Fields, August 16, 2017 - Power Reflection, March 4, 2017, Oct 2016 - Bicycle on the Beach, Oct 2016 - Flamingos at Sunset, Sept 2016 - Andalucían Rooftops, Aug 2016 - Saltscape, Aug 2016 - Fixing Flowers, Dec 2015 - Desert Formations)
Smithsonian Magazine Editor's Picks
Chosen for 25 Best National Geographic Travel Photos 2015
National Geographic China Photo of the Day (Dec 2015 - Puerco River Sunrise, Sept 2016 - Old Faithful Resting,
Saltscapes
Select Awards:
Sienna Photo Awards - 1rst Place Nature
Grand Prize - The Weather Channel "It's Amazing Out There" Photo Contest - Flamingos in Flight
Finalist - The Big Picture - California Academy of Sciences Exhibition July - October 2018
First Place PDN World in Focus Travel Photography Contest - Photo Essay - 'Saltscapes'
Second Place Science - Tokyo International Foto Awards - Photo Series - 'Commodities'
Second Place Nature Aerial - International Photography Awards (IPA) Contest
Third Place - Environmental Issues - International Photography Awards (IPA) Contest
Honorable Mention Industrial Architecture - International Photography Awards (IPA) Contest
Honorable Mention Washington Post Travel Contest
2 Finalists - Smithsonian Magazine 14th Photo Contest
2 Editor's Favorite for National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year (Environmental Issues)
Finalist World Water Contest
Mono Lake