The best-known drone photography competitions include the Drone Photo Awards, run by the organizers of the Siena International Photo Awards, the contests hosted by SkyPixel (DJI's photo and video community), and aerial or landscape categories in major general photography awards. Contest dates, categories, fees and prizes change every year, so check each organizer's current rules before you enter. Every serious contest expects images shot legally and edited within its limits.
Contests to know
- Drone Photo Awards. A dedicated international aerial photography award, organized by the team behind the Siena awards, with themed categories that have included nature, wildlife and urban scenes.
- SkyPixel contests. SkyPixel is DJI's community for aerial photos and video. It has run annual and themed contests for photo and video.
- Dronestagram contests. The Dronestagram community has hosted international drone photography contests.
- General photography awards. Many major photo competitions accept aerial images in landscape, nature, travel or open categories, where they compete with ground photography.
- Local and regional contests. State tourism boards, parks friends groups, newspapers and camera clubs run smaller contests. Easier to place in, and good for local recognition.
Confirm that a contest is running this year and read its current terms; we don't list dates or prizes here because they change.
Rules that knock entries out
- Illegal flights. Many contests require that images were captured in compliance with local laws, and some ask for location details. A winning shot from inside a national park without a permit, or over a crowd, can be disqualified and can lead to penalties. See drone no-fly zones.
- Editing limits. Some categories forbid adding or removing elements, compositing or sky replacement. Keep your RAW files; finalists are often asked for originals.
- Rights. Read what rights you grant the organizer. Most take usage rights for promotion; avoid contests that take full ownership.
- Fees. Entry fees vary. Weigh the fee against the exposure and prize.
- Model and property releases for recognizable people or private property.
How to make a stronger entry
- Find a pattern, not just a view. Top-down shots of shapes, shadows, roads and fields stand out from the air.
- Use light. Low sun creates long shadows that give flat ground texture.
- Shoot RAW at base ISO and bracket exposures for high-contrast scenes.
- Keep the edit honest and within the category rules.
- Pick a tight set. Enter your best few images, not everything.
- Write a short caption with the place and what the viewer is seeing.
More technique on drone photography tips.
The drone you use matters less than you think
Winning images come from location, light and composition. Larger sensors help in low light and with dynamic range, which is why many contest regulars fly Air or Mavic models, but a sub-250 g Mini shooting RAW can compete.
Information current as of October 2026.
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