The 2025 Siena Drone Photo Awards, a key event under the esteemed Siena Awards umbrella, has unveiled 40 award-winning photographs that redefine aerial visual storytelling. This independent project, which aims to establish Siena as an international capital of photography, celebrates the technical and artistic brilliance of images captured from above, encompassing categories like Urban, Wildlife, Sport, People, Nature, Abstract, Wedding, Series, and Video.
The most coveted prize, Photo of the Year, was awarded to Dennis Schmelz for his mesmerizing shot, "The Lone Horseman." Captured during his winter trip to Cappadocia, the image is a masterclass in atmosphere and perspective. Schmelz used his drone to find a unique viewpoint of a solitary rider perched on a rocky outcropping during the magical blue hour. This breathtaking perspective, capturing the beauty and mystery of the oft-photographed region, demonstrates the profound visual innovation the awards champion.
The full gallery of winning images serves as a spectacular journey across the globe, from the geometric precision of cityscapes in the Urban category to the chaotic, beautiful harmony of nature in Wildlife and Nature. The Siena Awards are dedicated to creating a "symbiosis" between the local territory and the world of international photography, curating exclusive events that involve great international photographers, emerging talents, and enthusiasts.
These extraordinary aerial views are more than just photographs; they are a thrilling reminder of the world’s vast and varied beauty, as seen through the lens of a drone. The collection will be celebrated at the Siena Awards Festival, showcasing the excellence and emotion that the competition aims to share with the public.
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#1. Photo of the year: "The Lone Horseman" by Dennis Schmelz
"During the magic of blue hour, a lone rider stands atop a rocky outcropping in the heart of Cappadocia. Taken on the very first evening during Dennis’ winter trip, this photo showcases the beauty and mystery of Cappadocia in all its glory. Using his drone, Dennis managed to find a unique and breathtaking perspective that had never been captured before in this often-photographed landscape."
#2. Urban – 1st classified: "Swallowed" by Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi
"The Artemia pleasure boat stands marooned in the dried bed of Lake Urmia, Iran—trapped in a crater eerily shaped like a monster’s belly. Years of drought, mismanagement, and agricultural overuse have drained the lake, leaving behind symbols of its forgotten past."
#3. Urban – Runner up: "The seaweed road of Fujian" by Sarah Wouters
"Shajiang village, in Xiapu county, is famous for its ‘S-bend’ mudflats. The bamboo poles create a stunning visual pattern on the mudflats and are used for drying seaweed. Fishing boats navigating through these poles add dynamism to the scene."
#4. Urban – Highly Commended: "Street-photography" by Barbara Eitel
"The fact that even a simple road with a cycle path can be aesthetically pleasing is particularly evident in winter, when the colors are reduced and the structures become clear thanks to the almost monochrome appearance."
#5. Urban – Commended: "Ocean Pool" by Neil Bennett
"A lone swimmer does morning laps at Mona Vale rock pool, as waves from the Pacific Ocean surge in from both sides. Perched at the tip of a sandbank, the pool appears to slice the beach in two, creating a striking scene where surf rolls in from opposite directions."
#6. Wildlife – 1st classified: "Another World" by Joanna Steidle
"This is a top-down drone capture of a fever of cownose rays dividing a school of menhaden fish. Taken just off the coast of Southampton in August, the sky was clear and the sea was calm, allowing the sunlight to enhance the waters’ depth and the bursting sand clouds."
#7. Wildlife – Runner up: "Where Silence Casts a Shadow" by Mahdi Gholoum
"This is not merely an image of natural beauty; it is a visual statement. The eagle’s shadow does not simply fall on the ground—it marks it, confronts it. A silent environmental message emerges: no matter how high life flies, it remains tethered to the earth beneath."
#8. Wildlife – Commended: "The Chase" by Craig Parry
"A 40,000 kilograms Humpback Whale gracefully swims through the ocean, accompanied by two playful Bottlenose Dolphins. For a fleeting moment, the dolphins join the whale’s majestic northern migration, sharing its journey through the vast blue expanse of the sea."
#9. Sport – 1st classified: "Running on Salt" by Shimon Perlstein
"Runners push forward as the first light of dawn breaks over the Dead Sea. The photo was captured during the Dead Sea Marathon, and this moment reflects both human endurance and the surreal beauty of the lowest place on Earth."
#10. Sport – Runner up: "The Dune" by Jb Liautard
"Kilian Bron riding down one of the highest sand dunes in the world. The photographer only had one attempt, and luckily, Kilian made a slight turn exactly at the right moment, lifting some sand in the air."
#11. Sport – Highly commended: "Chile Park Life" by Matias Basualdo Schramm
"The shadows of children are cast on the court at a public park during a sports workshop organized by the municipality for their school summer vacation in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025."
#12. People – 1st classified: "Aarti Under the Stars" by Thibault Gerbaldi
"Each night in Varanasi, the Ganga Aarti ceremony unfolds in a blaze of fire and devotion. People attend this sacred ritual either by walking or by sitting on neighboring boats, clustered together. The ceremony honors the Ganges River, believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul."
#13. People – Runner up: "ISOBEL" by Benny Kasper
"Let’s see what the new Day brings if you feel lost today. Until the last rays of Sun disappear above the Clouds, it feels like Heaven. The image conveys a quiet message of hope and new beginnings. It speaks to those who feel lost, reminding them that each new day holds fresh possibilities."
#14. People – Highly commended: "Watermelon sleepers" by Sm Mostafijur Rahman
"The tired workers are taking a nap among watermelons early in the morning onboard their cargo vessels after a night-long journey from the field to the wholesale market in Dhaka."
#15. People – Highly commended: "Miniature Paradise" by Gilad Topaz
"The Cascate del Mulino hot springs in Tuscany, during a cold evening. Many people enjoy the hot water, and from above, they look like miniature figures. Gilad was astonished by the beautiful blue water and by the number of people, despite the cold temperature outside."
#16. People – Highly commended: "Ice Fishing" by Esengül Alıcı Biber
"Fishermen on Lake Beyşehir, which freezes in winter, continue their work by breaking the ice with their own tools and opening a path in the lake. Although this job is difficult, they adapt to all conditions as fishing is their livelihood."
#17. People – Commended: "Tumble" by İbrahim ŞİmŞek
"In the Güroymak district of Bitlis, villagers take their animals to nearby hot springs to increase their milk yield and clean them, regardless of the winter conditions, and while they ensure their animals are happy in the 40-degree water, they also enjoy the moment."
#18. People – Commended: "Fishing the Quiet Waters" by Prakash Tilokani
"In Mu Cang Chai, fishing is a key part of Hmong life, done on a small, traditional scale. Locals use handmade traps, nets, and baskets to catch fish like carp and catfish in mountain streams. It supports daily meals, local markets, and preserves cultural traditions alongside rice farming."
#19. Nature – 1st classified: "The Long Shadow" by Christopher Harrison
"On the first day of meteorological spring, the warm sunrise light filtered through the low-lying mist, casting a striking long shadow behind this small cluster of trees atop an ancient Bronze Age burial mound."
#20. Nature – Runner up: "Scale" by Thorarinn Jonsson
"An aerial view of two massive icebergs floating in deep blue Arctic waters deep within Greenland’s massive fjords, with their submerged portions glowing turquoise beneath the surface. A small sailboat in the distance adds scale and serenity to this striking polar seascape."
#21. Nature – Highly commended: "Monument of a Forgotten Era" by Carlo Alberto Conti
"A lone spire rises from ancient ground, sculpted by time and silence. This scene evokes a primordial Earth—untouched, raw, eternal. A glimpse into a world from long before us, where nature alone ruled the land."
#22. Nature – Highly commended: "Edge of Stillness" by Helga Urbán
"From above, a quiet flock of ducks marks the fragile boundary between frozen silence and open water. Shot in the heart of winter, this image captures nature’s elegant geometry—where life arranges itself instinctively along the shifting edge of ice."
#23. Nature – Commended: "Anti crepuscular rays" by Ignacio Palacios
"The Cono de Arita, in Northern Argentina, is a unique geological formation. The photo was shot at sunset in La Puna region, which is a very remote area with beautiful desert and volcanic landscapes. The image offers a sense of isolation and quiet."
#24. Nature – Commended: "Torso of a Tree" by Tania Malkin
"As the tide recedes, a creek empties and leaves behind dendritic patterns: tree-like etchings in the sand that reveal the intricate, enduring connection between water, movement, and life."
#25. Abstract – 1st classified: "The eye" by Pawel Zygmunt
"An aerial view of Hveravellir, in Iceland, shows a geothermal pool shaped like an animal’s eye, with a dark blue center and rich brown textures surrounding it. The barren, rocky landscape and layered mineral deposits give the scene a raw, ancient feel."
#26. Abstract – Runner up: "Tide Money Tree" by Xu Zhang
"The Qiantang River tide is a famous natural landscape and phenomenon. When the tide recedes, it leaves many traces in the waterway. These tidal patterns, combined with the dry and yellow plants on the shore, resemble a huge money tree."
#27. Abstract – Highly commended: "Third eye" by Marcin Giba
"This photo shows a bird’s eye view of a frozen lake in Marcin’s hometown of Rybnik, Poland. Marcin has been photographing this subject for several years. He always waits in fascination for that moment when nature creates unique forms, and he is always surprised by it."
#28. Abstract – Commended: "I see You.." by Marek Biegalski
"At the break of dawn, the rugged terrain of Utah’s Badlands comes alive under the soft embrace of the first light. Viewed from above, the drone captures a mesmerizing tapestry of deep, textured blues that ripple like veins through the landscape. The golden light delicately graces the peaks, igniting the hidden colors within."
#29. Abstract – Commended: "Yellow River" by Madelon Dielen
"A glacial river, filled with mud and sediments, almost reaches a black lava beach in the South of Iceland, creating beautiful textures and colors on its path. The patterns change every season."
#30. Abstract – Commended: "Winter Pier" by Cameron Wilcox
"A heavy late season snowfall and rough water conditions led to this ice abstraction around the pilings of a former pier. The ice that formed around the pilings collected snow and the motion of the waves separated it into this unusual jigsaw puzzle."
#31. Wedding – 1st classified: "Eloping above the Clouds" by Oliver And Steph Prince
"A newlywed couple stands above the clouds after hiking up a hill on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. They emerged above an incredible cloud inversion to find the peace and solitude they needed for their elopement."
#32. Wedding – Runner up: "Into the abyss" by Tim Demski
"This photo was taken during an elopement photoshoot. An amazing location was found: a bridge over a large ravine in an ancient Italian town. The dark and gloomy sky, combined with the picturesque ruins in the background, created the perfect setting for this cinematic image."
#33. Wedding – Highly commended: "Mariage à carreaux" by Fred Payet
"Captured in Gironde, the photo benefited from the graphic elements of this pool. Its vintage colors and the unique lighting made it possible to create a truly original wedding image."
#34. Wedding – Highly commended: "The herd" by Tim Demski
"Tim was inspired by nature and how animal herds form a moving circle to protect their young and vulnerable. He decided to adapt this phenomenon for a wedding photo, with the bride and groom positioned in a yellow kayak to draw immediate focus to them."
#35. Wedding – Commended: "Bound by Love and Nature" by Chinmoy Das
"This wedding photo beautifully captures the union of nature and love. While it may seem like a seaside, it is actually a riverbank where the couple’s journey begins, surrounded by the peaceful embrace of nature, marking the start of their lifelong journey together."
#36. Wedding – Commended: "Beyond the Waves The Unbreakable Bond" by Aldo Bernardis
"The rough and powerful sea crashes against the rocks, throwing up huge waves that seem to dominate the environment. But amidst the turbulence, the love between the two is unshakable, serene, and untouchable. It is proof that, despite the world’s strength, true love remains safe and eternal."
#37. Series – 1st classified: "The Great Colour Study: Vietnam" by Dipanjan Pal
"The series is an aerial exploration of Vietnam’s traditional professions, many of which have been passed down through generations for over 500 years. Captured from above using a drone, each photograph showcases not only the intricate patterns and details of these time-honored crafts but also the striking, dominant colors that define their essence. The collection celebrates the interplay of color, culture, and craftsmanship, offering a fresh perspective on Vietnam’s cultural heritage."
#38. Series – Runner up: "Lords of the Vanishing Wild" by Lakshitha Karunarathna
"This series follows the rare giants of Sri Lanka—mature male tuskers that now make up less than 2% of the island’s elephant population. As Sri Lanka holds nearly 10% of all Asian elephants, protecting these tuskers and their vital genes is crucial. These majestic bulls, seen here in diverse moments of wild life, face growing threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and intensifying human-elephant conflict. Preserving their existence means safeguarding the future of a keystone species—and a symbol of strength in Asia’s dwindling wilderness."
#39. Series – Highly commended: "The overflowing earth" by Sebastian Piórek
"For three years, Sebastian has documented landfills, capturing images that reveal waste piling up at an alarming rate. These views expose the unsettling reality of a world consumed by trash. What once seemed like isolated dumps now spreads endlessly, forming landscapes where refuse dominates. The abstract beauty of these patterns contrasts sharply with the grim truth they hold, mirroring a future where nothing remains but waste. It serves as a call to rethink consumption and embrace sustainability before our world is buried under its own excess."
#40. Series – Highly commended: "Birds perch in the woods" by Xia Chen
