The Siena Awards 2025 have once again turned the spotlight on the world’s most creative and captivating photography, with a special focus on the art of aerial and drone imagery. The festival not only showcases breathtaking visuals but also strengthens Siena’s vision of becoming a true global hub for photography.

This year’s highest honor, Photo of the Year, went to Dennis Schmelz for his striking image “The Lone Horseman.” Captured during the blue hour in Cappadocia, the photo shows a solitary rider on a rocky ledge, framed by surreal landscapes. Taken by drone, it’s a perfect example of how technology and artistry can come together to create something timeless.

The awards highlight the incredible range of drone photography — from urban skylines and abstract compositions to wildlife, sport, and intimate human moments. Each image captures a unique perspective, inviting viewers to see the world from angles rarely experienced with the naked eye.

Visitors will soon be able to explore these winning works at the Siena Awards Festival, where the galleries promise an unforgettable journey through creativity, innovation, and emotion. Whether it’s a glimpse of city life, the raw beauty of wildlife, or an otherworldly aerial scene, the exhibition offers a global tour told entirely from above.

The Siena Awards remind us that drone photography isn’t just about perspective—it’s about storytelling. Each image offers not just a view, but a feeling, captured in a single frame.

Photo of the year: “The Lone Horseman” by Dennis Schmelz
Urban – 1st classified: “Swallowed” by Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi
Urban – Highly Commended: “Street-photography” by Barbara Eitel
Urban – Commended: “Ocean Pool” by Neil Bennett
Wildlife – 1st classified: “Another World” by Joanna Steidle
Wildlife – Commended: “The Chase” by Craig Parry
Sport – 1st classified: “Running on Salt” by Shimon Perlstein
People – 1st classified: “Aarti Under the Stars” by Thibault Gerbaldi
People – Runner up: “ISOBEL” by Benny Kasper
People – Highly commended: “Miniature Paradise” by Gilad Topaz
Nature – Commended: “Anti crepuscular rays” by Ignacio Palacios
Abstract – 1st classified: “The eye” by Pawel Zygmunt
Series – 1st classified: “The Great Colour Study: Vietnam” by Dipanjan Pal
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