Sony World Photography Awards 2025 has just launched

The 18th edition is now open

Photographers around the globe are dusting off their cameras, charging up their batteries and unpacking their SD cards - you guessed it, one of the world’s leading and biggest photography competitions has just launched its 18th edition!

We are incredibly excited to see all the new entries into the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 - every year your works impress the judges with new perspectives, unique stories and captivating visuals that are a pleasure to look at.

The Awards are completely free to enter and open to photographers worldwide shooting on any device. Top prizes include $25,000, a solo display at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and globally, top Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the book, worldwide recognition through press and media coverage - plus more!

Have you been working on an exciting new project? Or perhaps you’re focusing on striking single shots instead? Are you a photography student wanting to take the next step in your career, or maybe an aspiring creator 19 years-old and under, eager to share your talent with the world?

Whatever your experience in capturing the world around you, the Sony World Photography Awards has a competition that’s right for you and your work.

Professional competition

The Professional competition rewards the best photography series worldwide, championing the storytellers of our time. Enter five 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 plus more.

Last year’s recipient of the prestigious Photographer of the Year title was French photographer Juliette Pavy, awarded for her series Spiralkampagnen: Forced Contraception and Unintended Sterilisation of Greenlandic Women

Pavy will present the solo presentation of her work at Somerset House, London as part of next year’s Sony World Photography Awards 2025 exhibition.

*New for the 2025 Awards*

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.

Could you become the next Photographer of the Year? Enter up to 10 projects for free (one per category) today!

Open competition

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. Entry is free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London and worldwide, global recognition through press and media coverage - plus more!

The previous edition’s Open Photographer of the Year was awarded to Liam Man at an awards ceremony in London on 18 April for his beautiful shot of the Old Man of Storr in Scotland.

Become the next Open Photographer of the Year, enter your best single photographs for free now

Student competition

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 - plus more! 

New Brief: In the Beginning

The start of something new can be an exciting prospect and documenting the point in time or space at which something begins has been a popular theme for photography projects throughout time. 

For this year’s brief, we’re asking students to show through a series of five 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.  

Kayin Luys (LUCA School of Arts Sint Lukas Brussels) was recently awarded Student Photographer of the Year 2024. He received his title on 18 April at an awards ceremony in London for his fascinating series Don’t Trust Pretty Girls which explores his relationship with his in-laws.

Fancy becoming the next Student Photographer of the Year? Enter a series of five to 10 images for free now

Youth competition

The Youth competition rewards the best single images captured by aspiring photographers worldwide who are 19 years-old and under. Enter up to three of your favourite photographs taken in 2024 for free to win Sony digital imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and in the annual book, worldwide promotion through our channels plus more! 

All photographic styles, genres and approaches are welcome – enter your top standout images you think will catch the judge’s eye and imagination. 

Last year’s Youth Photographer of the Year was awarded to Daniel Murray (16 years-old, United Kingdom) for his photograph of a lonely surfer in Cornwall. Murray received his accolade on 18 April at the awards ceremony in London.

Want to become the next Youth Photographer of the Year? If you’re 19 years-old and under we want to see what you’ve been shooting!

Enter our Open Call for free

Details and deadlines

To learn all about the Sony World Photography Awards 2025, reveal deadlines and the details of all the competitions and available programmes, click here.