Tanja Trees from the community of Weisel, submitting under her hometown of Bornich, has captured third place in the BEN Kurier's highly competitive 2025 Reader Photo Contest, earning 307 points from public voting. Her winning image showcases the natural beauty and local character that defines the Rhein-Lahn-Kreis region in western Germany. The annual competition drew hundreds of submissions from amateur photographers across multiple towns and villages, making the top ten finishers particularly noteworthy. Trees' success demonstrates how ordinary residents can find extraordinary moments in their everyday surroundings. The contest organizers praised the exceptional quality of this year's entries, noting that the voting margins were extremely close throughout the ranking process.

The BEN Kurier, a regional publication serving the Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, designed this contest to strengthen community bonds and celebrate local perspectives. Readers submitted photographs capturing everything from historic landmarks to intimate natural scenes, with each entry reflecting personal connections to place. Tanja Trees' photograph stood out among dozens of competitors for its composition and emotional resonance, though the specific subject remains part of the suspense leading to the grand prize announcement. The voting system allowed community members to support their favorite images, transforming the competition into a collective celebration of regional identity. This participatory approach has made the photo contest one of the newspaper's most popular annual features.

The complete top ten reveals a geographic diversity that spans the entire coverage area. Lisa Rüdel from Marienfels secured tenth place with 174 points, while Tanja Steeg from Oelsberg earned ninth with 186 points. Udo Meister from Gutenacker took eighth place with 188 points for his image of Schaumburg Castle in Balduinstein. Gaby Schäfer from Eltville placed seventh with 230 points for her view of Burg Pfalzgrafenstein from Kaub. Anna Faddoul from Bad Ems earned sixth place with 246 points for her Lahn River scene, while Diana Deges from Miehlen claimed both fifth and fourth places with 275 and 283 points respectively for her Rhein and Wald views toward Bogel.

Jessica Tiefenbach from Reitzenhain achieved second place, though her point total and photograph details were not fully disclosed in the initial announcement. The contest organizers deliberately withheld the first-place winner's identity to build anticipation for a separate reveal ceremony. This strategy has generated significant discussion across the region's communities, with residents speculating about which photographer might claim the top honor. The staggered announcement allows each recognized photographer to receive individual attention while maintaining excitement for the final revelation. Tanja Trees' third-place finish places her among the most accomplished amateur photographers in this year's competition.

The BEN Kurier serves as a vital cultural institution for communities throughout the Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, connecting residents across administrative boundaries through shared stories and events. Based in the historically rich region between the Rhine and Lahn rivers, the publication covers everything from local politics to cultural festivals. Photo contests like this one reinforce the newspaper's mission to amplify citizen voices and document the evolving character of small-town Germany. For participants, the competition offers validation and encouragement to continue exploring their creative talents. Many past winners have gone on to develop their photography skills more seriously after receiving community recognition.

As the region awaits the grand prize announcement, Tanja Trees' achievement already represents a significant personal milestone and community honor. Her success highlights how digital platforms and local media can work together to showcase talent that might otherwise remain hidden. The BEN Kurier plans to feature all top ten photographs in a special print edition, ensuring these glimpses into regional life receive permanent documentation. Future contests will likely expand participation as more residents discover the joy of sharing their visual perspectives. For now, Trees and her fellow photographers have given their neighbors fresh eyes through which to see familiar landscapes.