All images submitted to Professional competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2020. Credits in order of appearance: © Maximilian Mann, Germany, Shortlist, Environment; © Didier Bizet, France, Shortlist, Documentary; © Laurin Schmid, Germany, Shortlist, Architecture; © Nicoletta Cerasomma, Italy, Shortlist, Creative
Today we reveal the 63 shortlisted and 30 finalist series from the Sony World Photography Awards 2020 Professional competition. Offering unique interpretations of today’s most pressing topics, the series you see here are the most exceptional bodies of work telling the stories of our time. Photographers were asked to submit series including five to 10 images to one of 10 categories: Architecture, Creative, Discovery, Documentary, Landscape, Natural World & Wildlife, Portraiture, Still Life, Sport and Environment – the latter new for 2020.
View all Professional competition 2020 shortlisted and finalist series.
It is one of the world’s largest and prestigious photography competitions, with more than 345,000 images from 203 countries and territories submitted across the four competitions. More than 135,000 images were entered to the Professional competition this year – the highest entries to date.
Judged anonymously by world-class experts, each series was chosen for the photographer’s skill in visual storytelling, technique and creativity. The judging panel for the 2020 Sony World Photography Awards can be seen here.
Now in its thirteenth year, the Awards have cemented its legacy by encouraging photographers to submit their personal projects and putting those who strive for excellence in every facet of their practice in the spotlight.
Internationally acclaimed, Awards showcase the most interesting photographic chroniclers, interpreters and artists so they can be a part of the global voice on photography. As a result of their participation in the Awards, past winning and shortlisted photographers have gone on to enjoy gallery representation, publishing deals and worldwide exhibitions.
Professional competition category first, second and third place winners are announced on 16 April at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony in London. Photographer of the Year will also be announced. A coveted title chosen from the 10 Professional category winners, past recipients include Vanessa Winship, John Moore and Alys Tomlinson.
First, second and third place Professional competition category winning series will be printed and exhibited at the Sony World Photography Awards 2020 exhibition at Somerset House, London, which opens 17 April to 4 May, 2020. The full shortlist will be displayed digitally.
Discover more about the Sony World Photography Awards 2020 exhibition.
