Photographer Page

Jassen Todorov

Your Shot photographer Jassen Todorov is also a pilot. Many of his photos are of aerial landscapes, showcasing patterns and designs that appear in nature. In this photo, he refills his plane's tank with gas before setting off on another adventure.

"There are four runways at San Francisco's International Airport (SFO). This is a rare look at the approach end of runways 28 left and right. I had dreams of documenting the motion at SFO and [arranged] permission to fly directly overhead. What a windy day it was. Winds at SFO were 35-45 miles per hour, which meant a bumpy flight, and it was much harder to control the plane while photographing. The flight was challenging, but it was also so thrilling that I couldn't sleep for several days afterward."

Your Shot photographer Jassen Todorox captured this aerial view in the middle of the California Mojave Desert where thousands of recalled Volkswagen and Audi models from 2009-2015 sit as a result from the 2015 V W emissions scandal. This image was also recognised as the Grand Prize winner of the 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest.

From above, salt ponds in Andalusia, Spain, take on an abstract quality. Micro-organisms give these salt ponds bright colours ranging from blue-green to deep red-magenta, depending on the salinity and season.

Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi cars sit idle in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. Models manufactured from 2009 to 2015 were designed to cheat emissions tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following the scandal, Volkswagen recalled millions of cars. By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious of and more caring toward our beautiful planet.

"I flew in formation over the beautiful mountains of California. It's not easy to fly and photograph another plane, but really exciting," says Todorov. The pilot and photographer is passionate about exploring and documenting the world from his plane.

Each year between December and March, Northern California becomes the winter home to thousands of migratory birds—including geese, egrets, ducks, herons, and more. Todorov captured this image from his plane.

A single excavator is seen in the vast and beautiful salt ponds of Utah.

Surfers compete in the Titans of Mavericks surf competition at Half Moon Bay, California.

Colourful salt flats speckle Utah's Great Salt Lake.