2019 highlights: nine compelling portraits to inspire you

© Jasem Khlef, Canada, Open competition, Portraiture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

On February 5 we revealed the Open and Youth competition shortlists, the first two announcements from the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. To celebrate the array of images submitted to this year’s competition we’re publishing a collection of images each week for the next eight weeks. Each collection will be chosen by theme from the revealed shortlists. Last week we selected pictures relating to architecture, this week we look at nine compelling portraits.   

Antoine Tiggart, United States, Open competition, Creative, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Tomek Kozlowski, Poland, Open competition, Culture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

Richard Ansett, United Kingdom, Open competition, Portraiture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Mariëtte Aernoudts, Netherlands, Open competition, Creative, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Yuliya Kalamiytsava, Belarus, Open competition, Portraiture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Alex Robciuc, Romania, Open competition, Culture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

© Sean Hayes, United Kingdom, Open competition, Portraiture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

Artem Mikryukov Russia, Open competition, Portraiture, 2019 Sony World Photography Awards

See the 2019 shortlist galleries revealed so far here