Sony World Photography Awards 2025

The 18th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards is looking for works that impress the judges with new perspectives, unique stories, and captivating visuals that are a pleasure to look at.

Overview

The objective of the Sony World Photography Awards is to establish a platform for the continuous development of photographic culture. The Awards do this by recognising great contributions to photography in the past through the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize as well as finding new talents of the future and providing them with the opportunity to be promoted and exhibited around the world. Sony is committed to photographic culture by extending their relationship with individual winners beyond the Awards to develop the individuals’ careers. 

Practical Info

The Awards are free to enter and open to photographers worldwide shooting on any device. The Professional competition rewards the best photography series worldwide, championing the storytellers of our time. Applicants must submit 5 to 10 images into up to 10 categories (one series per category) for free for a chance to win $25,000, a solo show, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, and more. Perspectives is a new category that encourages series that tell a story through a variety of formats and genres - from using a documentary or creative approach to mixing portraiture, landscapes and still life - brought together in an intentional manner and in a cohesive edit with a clear sense of narrative. The judges are looking for bodies of work ranging from well-known stories or everyday moments captured in new angles, to depicting lesser-known subcultures or reimagining local tales, the series should demonstrate a distinct voice and a fascination with the subject.

The Open competition rewards the best single images worldwide. Be it a serendipitous street shot, minimalist architecture or majestic wildlife - with 10 categories to choose from, there is bound to be one that’s made for your photography. Photographers could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment, and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and worldwide.

The Student competition provides a platform for photography students worldwide, rewarding their best series with top Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and in the annual book. For this year’s brief, In the Beginning, the Sony World Photography Awards is asking students to show through a series of 5 to 10 images the first part or earliest stage of something. Be it following a new life, sharing the start of someone’s day, following the preparations and beginning of a particular occasion or celebration, or revealing the promise of new technology, the story, approach and photographic style can be in any genre.  

The Youth competition rewards the best single images captured by aspiring photographers worldwide who are 19 years-old and under. Applicants can enter up to three of their favourite photographs taken in 2024 to win Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and in the annual book. All photographic styles, genres and approaches are welcome.

The jury for the Professional competition is composed of Monica Allende (Independent Curator, Photography Consultant and Chair of the Jury), Elisabeth Sherman (Senior Curator, Direction of Exhibitions and Collections, ICP - International Center of Photography), Mutsuko Ota (Editorial Director, IMA Magazine), Tanzim Wahab (Curator, Spore Initiative (Berlin) and Festival Director, Chobi Mela) and Elena Navarro (Photo Curator, Producer, and Consultant). The juror for the Open and Youth competition are Daniel Blochwitz (Curator, Foto Festival Lenzburg) and Ravi Ghosh (Deputy Editor, British Journal of Photography) is the juror for the Student competition.

The Student competition closes on 29th November 2024. The deadline for the Youth competition and the Open competition (including National & Regional Awards and Alpha Female Award) is set for the 3rd January 2025. Plus, the Professional competition (including Latin America Professional Award and Sustainability Prize) closes on the 10th January 2025.

About World Photography Organisation

World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of photographic culture. Its programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work. The Sony World Photography Awards is World Photography Organisation’s principal program. Established in 2007, it is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious photography competitions; celebrating the work of leading and emerging practitioners and attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to its exhibitions worldwide. World Photography Organisation is the photography strand of Creo, responsible for delivering initiatives and programming across three sectors: photography, film and contemporary art.