Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Now Open for Entries

June 2, 2025

The 19th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards is now open for submissions at worldphoto.org. Free to enter and open to photographers worldwide, the Awards celebrate the best in contemporary photography across four competitions:

Professional – series of 5–10 images across 10 categories
Open – best single images
Youth – for photographers aged 19 and under
Student – for photography students responding to the brief TOGETHER

Additional initiatives include the National & Regional Awards, the Latin America Professional Award, the Japan National Award, and the Alpha Female Award, as well as the Sustainability Prize.

Student Brief: TOGETHER

For the 2026 Student competition, photographers are invited to respond to the theme TOGETHER.

Togetherness can take many meanings, shapes, and forms. It is a subject rich for exploration. Throughout history, photographers have captured life in communities—both in the human and natural world—considering the ways individuals exist as members of a group.

This year’s brief invites students to explore the concept of togetherness in its broadest sense. From intimate stories of camaraderie, to communities working towards shared goals, to places and spaces that bring people together, and patterns of connection in the natural world — this is an opportunity to consider the innate need for sociality in all living beings.

Images can be taken on any device, shot in any style, and approached from any angle. Creative and original responses are encouraged, but photographers must respond to the theme clearly and thoughtfully.

New for 2026: Insights returns—offering Professional category winners exclusive mentorship sessions in London with leaders from across the photography industry.

Awards & Prizes

All entries are judged anonymously by industry experts. Winners receive Sony digital imaging equipment, with top cash prizes including $25,000 (USD) for Photographer of the Year, $5,000 (USD) to the Open Photographer of the Year and $5,000 (USD) to the winner of the Sustainability Prize. The winner of the Photographer of the Year title will also be rewarded with a solo presentation of their work as part of the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London the following year. All winning and shortlisted photographers’ works will be exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and will then be toured internationally. The winning images will also be published in the annual Awards’ book.