Birds-eye view: Best drone photos of 2025 by Daily Herald staff photographers
Posted December 23, 2025 2:44 pm
Drone photography offers a unique perspective of the world around us. Varied angles and elevations allow the photographers to illustrate news stories from above.
Daily Herald’s drone pilots share some of their favorite 2025 photos from the air. A few of our best include Palatine fireworks, flag displays, northern lights and a fall harvest.
At the Daily Herald, we’re committed to using any and every technology for news coverage including drone photography. Visit dailyherald.com for more 2025 drone photos in our online photo gallery.
A crew of three men with squeegees spread an acrylic surface on the Palatine High School tennis courts in July. The sun reflecting on the left edge gives the scene a three-dimentional look.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
The shadow of a dog and his owner stretch across the Lake Zurich promenade on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Lake Zurich. Boardwalk improvements along Main Street near downtown include new brickwork and landscaping. It’s a popular spot for walking and fishing.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Ed Graham of Mount Prospect is trailed by his shadow as he skates toward the net at West Park in Des Plaines on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Police and firefighters set up flags at Grafelman Park on Tuesday, Sept. 9, in West Dundee. True Patriots Care presented three memorials across the suburbs, each displaying 403 American flags in solemn tribute to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The northern lights stretched across the suburbs on Tuesday, Nov. 11, giving residents a chance to photograph the vibrant colors of the Aurora borealis. A drone photo captures the lights over Route 176 in McHenry County.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
A Metra train leaves the Metra station Wednesday, July 16, in Cary. There is a provision in transit reform legislation that would give the new RTA board power over land within a half mile of train stations.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com