Each year, the World Photography Organisation compiles a panel of influential photography professionals from around the world to judge the Sony World Photography Awards.
The 2015 Jury comprised of the following experts:
Oliver Schmitt, Deputy Director of Photography, Spiegel Online (Germany)
Born 1977 in Mainz, Germany, Oliver studied Media & Information in Hamburg. From 2003-2009, Oliver served as Picture Editor for Spiegel Online before moving into his current position as Deputy Director of Photography. Spiegel Online's main photographic focus hinges on current affairs, world and domestic news.
Matthew Leifheit, Photo Editor, VICE Magazine New York (USA)
Matthew Leifheit is Photo Editor of VICE magazine. In addition contributing a regular column on photography to the blog Art F City and writing on photography for TIME magazine's LightBox blog, Leifheit self-publishes MATTE magazine, a platform for emerging artists that has been collected by the Museum of Modern Art, the International Center of Photography, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Xingxin Guo, Vice Director of New Media, Xinhua News Agency Image Center (China)
Guo Xingxin is Vice Director of the New Media Center of Xinhua News Agency and Chief Editor of www.cicphoto.com. Previously, she served as the Director of the editorial department for China's most popular photography magazine, Photographers' Companion, and as Chief Editor of www.fengniao.com, China's biggest photography website. Throughout her ten years working in the photographic field, she has arranged numerous exhibitions and judged several photography competitions through close cooperation with many famous photographers, critics and galleries.
Ms. Guo devotes herself to finding and recommending the works of emerging photographers. She is currently working on "In-depth Interviews with 100 Famous Photographers" and "The Peak Forum of Photographing" in collaboration with Google and Xinhua.
Joanna Milter, Deputy Photo Editor, New York Times Magazine (USA)
Joanna Milter is the Deputy Photo Editor of The New York Times Magazine, having worked at the Magazine since 2004. She produces photography in all sections of the Magazine, including cover stories, special issues and online projects. The New York Times Magazine has been recognised by numerous photography awards and annuals, including American Photography, American Society of Magazine Editors, Society of Publication Designers, World Press Photo, Photo District News, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Maria Pieri, Editorial Director, National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Maria Pieri is the Editorial Director for APL Media, a specialist travel and lifestyle content media provider. With over 15 years’ experience she is an expert in content creation across print and digital platforms, including the development of a talented editorial and design team.
Having launched and edited a variety of titles as part of her role, this has included the flagship title National Geographic Traveller (UK) where she has been instrumental in the adoption of the brand ethos: ‘you-are-there’ photography, compelling storytelling and authentic travel. Photography has become synonymous with travel, and in recognition of the importance of this relationship, Maria has overseen the introduction of the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Photography Competition – now in its fourth year.
With a background in Fine Art and Photography, Maria continues to be passionate about photography across all mediums.
Enrica Viganò, Curator and Writer (Italy)
Enrica Viganò is a freelance photography curator and a writer. From 1992 to 1997 she ran the Diaframma-Kodak Cultura Gallery in Milan. In 1997 she founded Admira, an agency dedicated to the organisation of cultural events in photography. Many of the exhibitions she curated have been travelling internationally, including exhibitions dedicated to NeoRealismo, Eugene Smithand Duane Michals. Since 1998 she has been collaborating with PHotoEspaña as Coordinator of International Projects and Curator and Director of Campus workshops. From 2001 to 2005 she was entrusted with the artistic direction of clicArt, a gallery dedicated to young and emerging photographers in the center of Milan. Enrica has also been the Artistic Director of all the editions ofFoto&Photo, a biennial photography festival held in Milan. Since its first edition in 2011, she has been a member of MIA – Milan Image Art FairScientific Committee. In 2013, within the frame of the fair, she conceived and organised CODICE MIA, a portfolio review focused on the photographic market.
Sasha Erwitt, Photography Editor and Researcher (USA)
Sasha Erwitt is an award winning Photography Editor and Researcher. From 2004-2013 she was a senior photo editor at Vanity Fair magazine where she assigned, produced and edited photography projects around the world. She is currently researching and editing books for fashion, beauty and design clients including Michael Kors, NARS Cosmetics, and Ian Schrager.
Jocelyn Bain Hogg, Photographer, VII Photo (UK)
Jocelyn Bain Hogg began his career photographing movie sets after studying Documentary Photography at Newport Art College. He shot publicity for the BBC, photographed fashion and now works on documentary projects, commercial and editorial assignments. His work has been featured in countless publications, including Vanity Fair, TheSunday Times, The New Yorker and Vogue. He is the author of five photographic books to date and serves as a visiting lecturer at the UAL LLC MA photojournalism and documentary photography course in London.
Sue Steward, Writer and Photography Curator (UK)
Photography critic for London’s Evening Standard, Sue contributes photography writings to magazines and publications worldwide. She was an active trustee for PhotoVoice and is a long-term member of Derby’s photo biennial, FORMAT. Sue has collaborated with the World Photography Organisation for eight years as a judge and Academy member. Alongside her many roles, Sue also mentors emerging photographers and serves as guest curator to numerous London photography and contemporary art exhibitions and fairs.