As the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 deadlines slowly approach (Student: 29 November 2024; Open and Youth: 3 January 2025; Professional: 10 January 2025) we’re thrilled to bring you nine reasons why you should enter this year.
The major international photography competition has been celebrating, rewarding and platforming photographers from around the world for the past 18 years. We’d like to encourage you to take a shot at winning - join us in the 2025 edition and reap the benefits of your success.
1. Free to enter
The Sony World Photography Awards have always been, and will continue to be, completely free to enter! This ensures fair access and inclusivity for all. You can enter 5 to 10 images per category for free into the Professional competition, 1 to 3 images into the Open and Youth competitions, or a series into the Student competition.
2. Open to photographers worldwide and at all stages of their careers
The Awards are open to photographers worldwide. It doesn’t matter where you live or work - whether it’s Nigeria or the United States, China or Australia - the Awards welcome submissions from creatives from all around the world.
Whichever stage of your career you're at, whether you're a hobbyist, a professional or somewhere in between - we want to see your unique perspectives!
3. Win cash prizes
The cash prize for the Professional (photo series) competition is $25,000 and for the Open (single images) competition it’s $5,000 - and it’s completely up to you to decide how you’re going to use it! Could it be investing in a new project, supporting your career progression or perhaps putting it aside for the future?
4. Receive top camera equipment
The subject of camera gear is often a hot topic amongst photographers - and the successful entrants receive the top-of-the-line Sony digital imaging equipment.
5. Have your work shown in exhibitions in London and worldwide
The Sony World Photography Awards exhibition held at Somerset House, in the very heart of London, is a prestigious event that attracts huge crowds of photography enthusiasts every Spring. The exhibition then goes on to travel the world and is seen by tens of thousands of visitors all around the globe. Previous travelling exhibition location included Japan, Italy, New Zealand, Germany amongst many other destinations.
6. Attend the awards night
The black-tie awards ceremony during which the winners are revealed is held every April in central London, just before the main exhibition’s opening. Attended by photographers, industry leaders, gallery owners, press and media, it’s a perfect opportunity for networking and getting to know your peers.
7. Get published in the annual book
Every year the Sony World Photography Awards publish a collectible book featuring the award-winning images and series. With a limited number of copies available, it's a fantastic addition to any bookshelf or coffee table. When you enter the Sony World Photography Awards, you get a chance have your work published!
8. Get press and PR Coverage
If you’d like your photographs to be featured in major media outlets, entering the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 is a great way to do it! Previous coverage included major publications such as CNN, Guardian, Forbes, TIME Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine, The Times and many more.
9. Benefit from publishing deals & gallery representation
Photographers entering the Awards often benefit from publishing deals, agent or gallery representation and other opportunities that help propel their careers forward.
