The Student competition celebrates outstanding series created by photography students around the world. Each year, a new brief challenges the next generation of photographers to exercise their creative thinking and enter a series of 5 - 10 images.
The winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London's Somerset House, and promotion via the World Photography Organisation's channels.
Image: © Zifan Zhang, China Mainland, Shortlist, Student Competition, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
We spoke with the winner of the 2025 Documentary Projects category about his long-term series documenting young people in Northern Ireland.
We caught up with the Spanish photographer about his powerful project that grew out of a period of personal struggle.
We spoke with the French photographer about his shortlisted series documenting skateboarding communities in Ukraine.
Discover what interests, moves and inspires the next generation of photographers from around the world.
Be among the first to know when tickets go on sale for Joel Meyerowitz's exclusive talk and upcoming display at the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition.
Dates: 17 April - 4 May 2026
Image: © Joel Meyerowitz
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