There’s something magnetic about the way Bashir Abu Shakra films the world — vast, wild, and deeply personal. His camera doesn’t just fly — it feels. And viewers across the globe have taken notice.
With his latest film “The WAR – My Transformation Journey”, Bashir has once again captivated the SkyPixel jury, winning the Best Aerial Video Award at the 10th Annual Contest. The film, five years in the making, is more than just stunning cinematography — it's an emotional journey from solitude to empowerment, told through sweeping aerial shots of raw, infinite landscapes.
Watch “The WAR - My Transformation Journey” here: SkyPixel – The WAR
What makes this win even more remarkable is that it’s not his first. In fact, this is the second time Bashir has claimed top honors at SkyPixel, following his earlier success with “Why I Travel the World Alone”, which won the Annual Best Work Prize at the 8th edition of the contest.
That first film was already a masterclass in storytelling — combining majestic drone footage captured over four years with tender childhood home videos. It was a poetic exploration of identity, independence, and connection with nature, told from the perspective of a solo traveler seeking meaning in the vastness of the world.
What sets Bashir apart is not only the technical brilliance of his aerial work, but the emotional gravity he brings to it. His films feel like personal letters written to the sky — and viewers can’t help but stop, watch, and feel something.
Discover “Why I Travel the World Alone”: SkyPixel – First Winning Video
Across both films, what truly sets Bashir apart is his way of working. Alone, often in silence, in vast untouched nature, he brings an emotional depth to drone storytelling that’s rare and unforgettable. His visuals don’t just impress — they resonate.
But behind these powerful visuals lies a story of incredible perseverance. Abu Shakra’s work demands not only creativity and technical mastery — but a level of patience and motivation that few can sustain. Whether it’s waiting days for the perfect light, climbing mountains with gear alone, or returning to the same place year after year to capture a single shot, his commitment is total. Each frame is earned — slowly, deliberately — and it shows.
In this interview, we invite you to step behind the scenes of his creative process — to understand how Bashir conceives, captures, and edits his journeys into stories.
Bashir Abu Shakra makes drone films that feel deeply personal and emotional.
Solo-camping in the Dolomites on a hardly accessible spot. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
When did you first get into aerial photography? What brought you to it?
I first got into aerial photography back in 2016, when I moved alone in Munich far from my family and friends. I felt lonely at the time, and the only thing that filled that gap was the Alps mountains nearby. That's when I fell in love with them. Back then, I would go every weekend to the mountains and try to find interesting spots and capture them using only a normal camera, but I felt like my imagination and creativity were limited—until I found out that there actually exists a drone with a camera. That was a shock in a good way because I always thought that all aerial images were taken from a helicopter. I never thought you could buy a drone yourself and fly it wherever you want. I was always obsessed with exploring the unknown and capturing it from a perspective never seen before, and buying the expensive drone became my highest priority goal. That's when I decided to work as a food delivery rider on a bicycle for months—hours a day in summer and winter, sunny, windy, and snowy conditions—just to be able to afford the drone and buy it. I could already see the potential and the endless capture opportunities the drone would give me, even before I bought it, and mix them together with the music that has always inspired me since I was younger.
Working as a food delivery courier to afford my first Phantom 4 Pro back in 2017
What was your first DJI drone? What was your favourite one? Why?
DJI Phantom 4 Pro was my first drone. Thanks to its 20MP 1-inch sensor and ability to shoot video up to 4K at 60fps, it was a pro-level drone at the time. It wasn’t a small drone, but at the time I prioritized camera quality over size. This made the climbing and hiking adventures more difficult—it made my backpack a lot heavier, which could weigh up to 25KG. But as soon as the Mavic 3 Pro was released, I was stunned by the different creative shots which could be done with the different focal lengths with least quality changes. I found myself using the 70 mm and 166 mm focal lengths more often resulting in more cinematic shots, scale and parallax effects, which finally exceeded the Phantom 4 Pro camera—and most importantly, the smaller size. That was a huge step and transition to make, and I could instantly feel the difference. I could fit more things in my backpack that would help me with my camping/hiking tours, and I could tell my story in a more creative way. DJI never failed to amaze with their products!
When did you first hear about the SkyPixel Contest? What brought you to it?
Since I started making aerial videos, I was always interested in competing in international drone film contests. For me, it’s like a quality-check for my work. I always wanted to see how far I could go, and most importantly, how I could improve and get inspired by the winning entries. Upon my research at the time, I came across the SkyPixel contest, and I remember watching the winning video of the SkyPixel 5th Aerial Photo & Video Contest NATURAL MYSTIC by Sam Favret. I was stunned by the quality of the winning entries and the contest, which is without a doubt the biggest drone contest in the world—one that anyone would wish to win—and also has the biggest exposure and appreciation for the photographers.
How many times have you entered this contest?
I only participated once in 2020, but did not get nominated. But I took it as motivation. I looked up the quality of the nominated and winning videos, analyzed them, and knew at the time what it really takes to reach their level—but I also knew it would take years to come up with my best version. Three years later, I felt confident enough to submit the project I’ve always dreamt of making!
Thinking about your experience in this contest, what does the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" mean to you?
Every shot represents a story and many memories attached to it. An image or shot could look simple, but there could be weeks or months of traveling just to capture that image.
Who/what are your inspirations as a photographer/video creator? Can be specific works, well-known artists, or even people in your life.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand and National Geographic Explorer George Steinmetz have been a big inspiration to me for years. Their way of choosing very remote landscapes and capturing them from the sky in an astonishing way has inspired me to follow a similar path and style of adventure. What they have achieved and are still doing is exactly what I see myself doing for the rest of my life. Their podcasts, interviews, and books have helped me enormously in adapting their vision and making my own.
The very first drone film I ever watched was Algeria from Above by Yann Arthus-Bertrand back in 2016, and it completely captivated me. It was what really got me started in drone videography and opened my eyes to the power of aerial storytelling. Later on, his film HUMAN, which combines real-life stories from over 2,000 women and men with breathtaking aerial imagery from 60 countries, had a great impact on me. It challenged many preconceived ideas I had about certain countries—especially those often misrepresented in the media—and proved to me that every place holds its own unique beauty, often still waiting to be discovered. That realization led me to visit misunderstood countries like Venezuela, where I aimed to share a different narrative through their hidden landscapes. To be more specific, Yann taught me the importance of the element of surprise—something essential for captivating viewers. That’s why, in my films, you’ll often see landscapes that have rarely or never been seen before.
On the other hand, George Steinmetz inspired me with how to plan and approach these kinds of adventures. He inspired me to start choosing spots based on Google Earth—places I thought would look cool from a satellite point of view—and I would go and do everything possible to reach those places and capture them from a perspective never seen before, despite the risks.
To what extent did the SkyPixel community inspire you to participate in this contest and create your work?
The SkyPixel community never failed to deliver the best and highest quality of aerial images/videos. I took them as inspiration to work harder, to achieve similar or even better results, and to finally be able to compete in this huge contest with thousands of others from around the world.
For you, which came first: The story or the image? Did the story you want to tell guide the image you took, or did you take an image that then created a story for you?
This is a very good question. For me, the story always guides me to the image I want to take. Not only that, but it also determines the kind of natural landscapes (deserts, mountains, rocks...) and the countries I need to visit. To be more specific, the music inspires me to tell a specific story, which in return guides me to the image.
In your videos, the music and the images blend perfectly and complement each other. What do you think are the elements needed for a perfect video?
One thing I often do while hiking or upon reaching my destination is listen to the music I plan to use for that landscape with my headphones. It helps keep me motivated and fuels my imagination for how I want the footage to blend with the music. As I mentioned, the music guides the images—not the other way around. When done in this order, it ensures the final images will blend perfectly with the music. But choosing images to match music isn’t easy. For me, a perfect video should make viewers believe the music was composed specifically for my visuals. If that effect is achieved, along with technical elements like good lighting (especially during golden hour), color grading, beat-matching edits, and a strong story, then I know I’ve made a good video.
Music inspires his stories, guiding what he films and where he goes.
Can you develop the way you choose music, where do you find it from? It seems that the music you chose is a perfect match to the emotions of your images.
I usually use music that I grew up with and that helped me overcome my struggles. I was deeply influenced by Hans Zimmer’s soundtracks from Inception, Gladiator, and more recently, Dune. That’s when I first fell in love with the genre of orchestral epic music at a very young age. Since then, I’ve been constantly searching for similar tracks, mostly on YouTube, often created by trailer music productions. I collect them into playlists with the idea that they might be used in future films.
For example, music production companies like Really Slow Motion have hundreds of powerful tracks available on their YouTube channel. I go through them one by one, listening to each piece to see if it resonates with the story or the film I’m working on. This process is very time-consuming and can take years of practice to develop the feel for which track fits the mood and story of a scene.
However, since I don’t follow the traditional path most filmmakers take, who tend to use platforms like Artlist or Musicbed with copyright-free music, the main drawback of my approach is that I have to manage copyright on a case-by-case basis. I often need to contact each composer individually to get permission, and sometimes their licensing fees for a single use can be very expensive. But for me, the quality and emotional connection the music creates are what matter most.
Dolomites, Italy. Very rare heart shape, which was shot to compliment loneliness in the music. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
How did you come up with the idea for this video? How long did it take to come up with the idea?
The idea for this project began five years ago. I remember it really well, I was on a bus, on my way to the French Alps, when I first heard it. The lyrics resonated deeply with me, describing my own struggles with loneliness, yet the dramatic tone of the song also spoke to a transformation, it felt as if it was composed especially for me. It brought tears to my eyes. I saw an opportunity to tell a story that contrasted the man described in the lyrics, showing how he overcame his struggles. It first inspired me with my story and later on with the landscapes, while showing the human scale in front of them.
I had that vision of a video at the time, but I didn’t have the footage. That’s when I decided to start collecting the missing pieces and travel around the world to satisfy the powerful vibes the music delivers. It became a question of how I could deliver the same emotions as the music while also showcasing the loneliness of a man lost in nature, trying to find his purpose in life from a bird's perspective. That’s when I began intensive research to find locations that could resonate with both the music and the human element. This research led me first to the Alps, where I had to push my climbing limits to get the best results, and later to extreme adventures in China, Venezuela, Brazil and Mongolia, where I followed off-the-trail paths planned via Google Earth to capture landscapes never seen before.
Bashir works alone, hiking to wild places to capture rare, stunning shots.
Monte Roraima, Venezuela. Took Bashir a 10-day expedition to reach the farthest point, a spot only very few tourists reach. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
When we see your videos, we realize, you don’t only have a drone and talent for capturing images, you are really going for long hikes climbing very high summits and we can feel you really work hard on being there to get these shots done that don’t come just like that. Did you have any memorable experiences during your shoots?
I had many memorable experiences, but one I’ll never forget is the expedition behind the Monte Roraima shot in Venezuela. I had been dreaming of capturing that mountain for years, ever since I found out it was real after watching the Pixar movie UP back in 2009, which was inspired by it. But I didn’t just want to climb it, I wanted to walk on the very farthest edge of the mountain, known as La Proa, to reflect the lyrics of the song "My War is Over", with me walking that edge as a metaphor for finding peace after a long struggle.
When I asked the local guides, they told me it would be a tough and long expedition of 10 days in total, over 100 kilometers of hiking, no phone signal, limited food, and I’d need three guides to make it happen. I only had four drone batteries with me, so I had to skip flying in the early days of the trip and save everything for that one special moment. After six days of hiking, I finally made it. We had to start the final push around 4 AM to make it in time for sunrise. I was incredibly lucky, the skies stayed clear for two full days, which gave me the chance to get the shots I had dreamed of and even camp overnight to catch another sunrise the next morning. It was the best day of my life.
As a child, you dreamed of being an astronaut and now you are obsessed with traveling around the world. Do you see any commonalities between them?
Astronomy and traveling both involve curiosity, mystery, exploration, and capturing images. When I was 10 years old, my parents bought me a telescope, and I would sit on the roof all night watching the stars. Later, when I moved abroad to study and discovered my love for nature, using a drone felt similar to using a telescope—it helped me see places I had never seen before. My love for astronomy helped me connect with nature. In both pursuits, I felt the strength of nature and the vulnerability of humans before it, and that’s exactly what I aim to show in my shots. Today, my research in nature feels no different from my former passion for astronomy. For me, there are two steps to planning a trip: the first is the "astronomical" exploration via Google Earth, and the second is translating it into reality by traveling alone and exploring the unknown with a drone.
What was your motivation to start traveling alone? Could you share one of your most memorable experiences during this time?
I started traveling alone when I moved to Munich to study computer science, partly to overcome my fear of being alone. I wanted to do something different and prove what one person could achieve through effort and dedication. And that’s exactly what solo travel gave me. When traveling alone, you have full responsibility and the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever and wherever, based on your vision for specific images—something that may not be possible when traveling with a partner. This can include last-minute travel, extending a trip, and booking one-way flights based on your capture progress, and the risks that come with it. This level of flexibility is not possible with a partner who might have different interests.
What is the most common thought that comes to your mind when you are traveling alone and climbing to the top of a mountain?
When I’m on a high mountain at night and I see the stars like fireflies in the sky, I feel that every detail completes the exciting circle of nature. I also feel responsible for capturing and conveying the same emotions I experienced on the mountain through the image and the music.
Switzerland, Muttsee @ Bashir Abu Shakra
At the end of the Why I Travel Alone video, you stand in front of a snowy mountain and a fish leaps out of the water. Is there a special meaning to this miraculous shot?
This was one of my funniest but also craziest shots. I remember reaching the lake at sunset after a long four-hour hike with all my gear. While setting up my tent to prepare for sunrise filming, I saw a fish jump. It’s very rare for a fish to jump in such a small lake, but after witnessing it, I decided to try catching the jump on film the next morning. I stood in the middle of the scene and repeated the shot over and over, hoping to catch the moment. It took me nearly two full batteries before I finally saw the fish leap. It was indeed a miraculous shot. I couldn’t believe my eyes—I screamed, “I did it!” in the middle of nowhere, as if the fish knew what I was waiting for and decided to reward me.
You use a lot of "mirror" expressions in your videos, where the landscape is reflected in the water to create a symmetrical image. Is there a deeper meaning to this beyond aesthetics?
These shots always stand out because people are naturally drawn to symmetry and visuals that reflect harmony. A simple shot can become a masterpiece when captured with symmetry. It also provides more flexibility in post-production, you can rotate or manipulate the shot to perfectly fit the rhythm of the music. The gradually rising music inspired me to capture the reflection so that the landscape gradually reveals itself with the rising notes, making it more interesting and unique. However, such reflections are hard to capture due to wind conditions, making it a more challenging but rewarding experience.
Do you see yourself and who you are reflected in your own work? How so?
Without a doubt. My work reflects my personality. I see myself in every detail. I feel excited and deeply connected to the process because the final creation is a reflection of my obsession with curiosity and nature.
What was the first thing that came to your mind when you won your first Skypixel Award ?
Winning a prize in a major contest like SkyPixel is like a dream that comes true for any aerial photographer. It takes me a step further and opens up new opportunities. I dedicated it to my parents, who always believed in me despite all the challenges I’ve faced.
Rare desert shape in China’s biggest desert. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
We were impressed by this work of yours. What do you think is the biggest reason why this work stands out from thousands of others?
I believe my projects stand out due to the enormous effort and sacrifices behind them. They required hundreds of hours of solo hiking and climbing, sometimes repeating climbs due to poor weather. The videos were created over years of travels, compressing hundreds of shots into just four minutes. I kept some of my best shots unpublished for years until these projects were complete. For example, in the Why I Travel the World Alone film, the opening scene was filmed in one of the most remote places I’ve visited in Brazil.
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
The diversity of landscapes and countries, the remoteness of the locations (some never before captured), and the fact that each location was chosen to match specific music, set this project apart. Technically, I focus on golden hour lighting, detailed color grading, and the use of human scale in every scene to enhance viewer connection. Ultimately, my videos tell the story of my life. That personal connection inspired me to deliver the best version of the project from every angle.
If you could go anywhere right now to capture images, where would it be and why?
That’s a big question—I have many places in mind. One of my biggest dreams is to explore and film the Saharan and Empty Quarter deserts. Based on my research using Google Earth, I’ve found many unique and strange-looking sand dunes and rock formations. These are untouched landscapes. Not knowing what awaits me there only fuels my desire to explore. I’ve also bought two photography books about these deserts to deepen my knowledge before embarking on this huge, one-of-a-kind project. I would also love to capture the mountains of Pakistan, home to some of the highest peaks on Earth. Some of my favorites books are “Desert Air” by George Steinmetz, which helped me navigate through the desert in China, some of the shots were included in this film; “Empty Quarter: A Photographic Journey to the Heart of the Arabian Desert” by George Steinmetz, which will inspire me with my next big project in the empty quarter desert in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen and UAE. and “Earth from Above” by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
What tip would you give to anyone willing to compete for the next Skypixel edition?
Something I focus on a lot in my films is the element of surprise. I’d recommend finding your own version of that, something that sets you apart from other competitors. It could be landscapes that have rarely or never been captured, a powerful story that deeply resonates with you, or even simple shots that are transformed into something captivating in post-production. For example, the Matterhorn reflection shot I used became much more impactful after I flipped it in editing.
The Matterhorn reflection shot. @ Bashir Abu Shakra
Another thing I’d recommend, especially for those just starting out or looking to improve, is investing in online videography masterclasses. It’s something I regret not doing sooner. They helped me tremendously, especially in taking my color grading to the next level, which has become a key part of what makes a shot stand out. Look for the kind of quality you’re aiming for, and see if any of the filmmakers who inspire you offer masterclasses. It can really save a lot of time and frustration.
Also, take your time with your projects. Most of the videos I work on take years to complete. Being patient is so important, wait until every detail feels just right and the video feels finished in every single aspect.
