Spotlighting women in photography this International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day we are delighted to announce the winner and the shortlist of the Alpha Female Award. An initiative created by the World Photography Organisation and Alpha Universe’s Alpha Female initiative by Sony US, its aim is to place women’s photographic work centre stage and to spotlight their unique points of view.

Congratulations to Angela Magalhães, a 71 year-old Portuguese photographer who has picked up a camera and committed to an old passion after her retirement 10 years ago. Magalhães is drawn to capturing photographs of people, whether it’s classic portraiture, street or documentary photography.

WINNER

Feast of St. Martin by Angela Magalhães (Portugal)

The Magusto festival in the city of Braga is celebrated not only by eating chestnuts and drinking ‘água-pé’ (a traditional Portuguese spirit), but also by jumping the bonfire where the chestnuts are roasted, dancing and singing.

SHORTLIST

A majestic charge by Beatrice Wong (Hong Kong)

A herder guides livestock down rugged hills, kicking up clouds of dust as they journey towards summer pastures. This photograph was taken in the Altay Mountains of northern Xinjiang, China.

The Egg: A Fragile Light in a Chaotic World by Carol Santiago (Mexico)

What does a person do with nothing? When the photographer lost sight of who she was, her search for purpose in a world saturated with conflict became a symbol of resilience and a message of peace. The egg reminded her of what is most precious: that, in our fragility, we can find strength and meaning. We can be our own light and hope.

La Femme Fever by Hanna Kantor (Poland)

An electrifying concert by the French band La Femme, who were performing in Warsaw, Poland. The atmosphere at the event was truly mesmerising, as psychedelic rock and an infectious energy swept through the crowd. This unforgettable moment was captured when one of the musicians spontaneously leapt into the audience.

Before the Show Starts by Maira Ray (Brazil)

This portrait, taken shortly before a fashion show in Paris, France, captures a model in a serene moment of solitude. Standing in a dark, wood-panelled room, his vintage trench coat and refined neck scarf exude timeless elegance.

Fold of Time #3 by Ana Leal (Brazil)

Dobra do Tempo #3 is part of a series entitled Chão de Histórias (Ground of Stories), in which the photographer explores the relationship between territory and family history. The series combines landscape photographs from the Floresta and Vale do Catimbau regions of north eastern Brazil with landscapes from the family archive, as well as Renaissance lace – a local tradition introduced to Brazil in the 19th century by French nuns and later passed on to indigenous women. The collages establish a continuity of forms between these three ‘materials’, weaving together the past and present.

Game Over by Petia Angelova (Bulgaria)

 

We’ll Find a Way  by Tara Keane (Ireland)

This pygmy elephant comforts her calf, which was unable to climb the steep riverbank to join the herd after they had crossed the Kinabatangan River in Borneo. A second elephant offers support from behind the baby. The herd returned to the river and continued downstream for an hour until they found a place where the calf could exit safely.

Park Bridge, Antwerpen by Ute-Christa Scherhag (Germany)

The park bridge connects Antwerp's (Belgium) two chic districts, Eilandje and Park Spoor Noord. When you cycle or walk across the bridge, the constantly changing play of light and shadow is impressive.

Fading Beauty by Rachel Nixon (Canada)

This dying tulip was much more interesting to the photographer than a pristine flower in full bloom, thanks to the colours that it had accrued, the twists, turns and textures of the petals, and its multi-directional asymmetry.

A selection of award-winning images from the past year will be printed, projects and displated digitally at the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 exhibition. Open from 17 April - 5 May at Somerset House, London.

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