Monica Allende at the Sony World Photography Awards 2024 ceremony
You’re an independent curator, artistic director, consultant and educator who has worked on magazines, photo festivals, exhibitions and a plethora of other projects. Can you tell us a little about your career and how it influences the way you perceive and interpret photography?
I have a multidisciplinary career working across several platforms. This enables me to appreciate photography as an expanded field rather than single flat images and opens possibilities for reinterpretation in diverse contexts. It means I can reimagine how a story or an image can be visualised in different spaces.
As an industry professional who explores photography on a daily basis, what trends are you seeing right now?
We have seen essential issues addressed in photography for the last few years, touching on the politics of visual representation, gender, the environment and postcolonialism, which have enriched and diversified the field; I see a continuity evolving these topics and having a more profound understanding.
What or who is your biggest inspiration?
I walk, and daily life inspires me. Flaneuring around the city is relaxing and a way to develop ideas. Of course, I keep abreast of photo festivals, museum exhibitions, and culture in general, and I read the news compulsively; it is an old habit.
What is some of the most exciting photographic work you’ve seen this past year?
I have seen a lot of work and exhibitions and would prefer not to pick only one. Still, I enjoy group thematically curated exhibitions to understand the thinking behind the curatorial process and outdoor exhibitions to see how open spaces are utilised and how the public engages with them. Solo shows help in understanding the development of a photographer's career.
It’s your second year of acting as the jury chair of the Sony World Photography Awards. What do you hope to see in this year’s submissions to the competition?
I always expect to see work representing our times regarding topics, visual representation, and aesthetics. I also like to see timeless work that can transcend time and remain current.
What makes photography competitions a valuable part of a photographer’s career?
Entering competitions is a good discipline, and it helps to edit and frame the work into a narrative. Being abreast of components, such as open calls and funding opportunities, is part of a photographer's professional career. As freelancers, photographers must be part of the conversation where work can be seen and discussed.
What are some of the common pitfalls photographers should avoid when entering competitions?
Entering the wrong category and writing texts which could be less wordy and more descriptive of the work.
What three pieces of advice would you give to photographers entering the Sony World Photography Awards 2025?
- Understand the criteria to enter the competition
- Edit the work to meet the criteria
- Write precise and clear text, no need for embellishment
The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 are a prestigious competition elevating the careers of photographers worldwide. From winning $25,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, a solo show and more, to gaining recognition for your work and unlocking new opportunities like gallery representation - this is one competition not to miss! They're closing soon, so enter for free today!
