October 2, 2025, 4:57 am | Read time: 3 minutes

As part of the Siena International Photo Awards, the best photos taken with a drone have been recognized since 2018. Both professional photographers and amateurs can submit their work. There are a total of eight categories, and the Photo of the Year is also awarded. This year, a photographer from Germany has claimed this prize.

The Drone Photo of the Year

Dennis Schmelz from Erfurt secured the award for Photo of the Year 2025 with his drone photo “The Lone Horseman.” He captured it in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. The image shows a lone rider on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by snow. The jury praised how the photographer managed to find a unique and breathtaking perspective with his drone, one that had never been captured in this often-photographed landscape before.

Other Awarded Drone Photos 2025

“Monument of a Forgotten Era”

This drone photo by Carlo Alberto Conti depicts an almost surreal landscape, the desert in Utah. The jury stated that the image offers a glimpse into a world long before us, where nature alone ruled the land.

“Earth’s Imprint”

This award-winning photo shows a gravel quarry in Moryń, Poland. Polish photographer Michał Nieścioruk captured it with a mini drone.

“Edge of Stillness”

In the middle of winter, Helga Urbán launched a drone, capturing a flock of ducks swimming partly on open water and partly over ice. According to the jury, the image captures the elegant geometry of nature.

“Ocean Pool”

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The rock pool Mona Vale in Sydney is located right on the coast—impressive in itself. The award-winning drone photo by Neil Bennett shows a lone swimmer doing laps from high above. Thanks to the perspective, you can clearly see the waves rolling in from opposite directions and breaking on the coast.

“Yellow River”

At first glance, it’s hard to tell what this is. In southern Iceland, photographer Madelon Dielen captured a glacier river filled with silt flowing toward a lava beach.

“Silenciosa”

This image was also awarded at the Drone Award 2025. Photographer Felipe Molina captured a leopard seal observing a few penguins in Antarctica. Only through the drone shot can you get so close to the animals.