Sony World Photography Awards 2027 have just launched

The 20th edition is now open

We're excited to announce the launch of the Sony World Photography Awards 2027 - and this year marks a very special milestone.

Now in our 20th year, the Awards represent two decades of celebrating photographers worldwide, and we're as committed as ever to continuing that legacy. As always, the competition remains completely free to enter and is open to all photographers shooting on any device and at all stages of their careers.

To mark the occasion, this year brings some meaningful changes. After 20 years, we've refreshed our competition names to better reflect what they're about: the Professional competition is now Series, and the Open competition is now Single Image - clearer, more intuitive names for a new chapter.

We've also added two brand new categories: Histories (Series) and Animal Portraits (Single Image). And for the first time ever, photographers can enter both the Series and Single Image competitions - submitted work must be different.

Top prizes include up to $25,000, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards London and global exhibitions, a solo display the following year at the London exhibition, top Sony Digital Imaging equipment, worldwide recognition through press and media coverage - plus more!

Whether you're an emerging talent or an established photographer, there's a competition that celebrates your unique vision and perspective.

Series competition
(formerly the Professional competition)

The Series competition rewards the best photography series worldwide, championing the storytellers of our time. Enter five to ten images into up to ten categories (one series per category) for free, for a chance to win $25,000, a solo show, Sony Digital Imaging equipment and more!

This year sees the addition of Histories, a brand new category expanding the range of stories we can tell through the competition.

Series competition winners will also benefit from a career-development day during which expert speakers from a range of commercial and institutional backgrounds share specialised guidance aimed at finding new opportunities to platform your work.

Last year’s talks included Understanding Photography: Private Collecting and Collectors with Brandei Estes, Photobook Publishing: An Inside Look at the Process with Andrew Sanigar of Thames & Hudson, as well as a private tour of the National Portrait Gallery’s Photography Collection and access to Catherine Opie: To Be Seen exhibition.

Last year's Photographer of the Year title was awarded to Citlali Fabián (Mexico) for her series Bilha, Stories of my Sisters. Fabián will present a solo showcase at the Sony World Photography Awards 2027 exhibition.

Could you become the next Photographer of the Year? Enter up to ten projects for free (one per category) today!

Single Image competition
(formerly the Open competition)

The Single Image competition rewards striking standalone shots that tell a story in a single photograph. There are ten categories you can enter, so no matter what you shoot - from wonderful wildlife to comedic street scenes, perfectly balanced architecture to energy-packed motion shots - your photographs have the chance to be celebrated worldwide.

Entry is free and you could win $5,000, top Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards London and global exhibitions, global recognition through press and media coverage - plus more!

A brand new category joins the competition this year: Animal Portraits, a dedicated space for photographers who capture the character and presence of the animal world.

Last year's winner was Elle Leontiev (Australia), whose striking portrait The Barefoot Volcanologist - depicting self-taught volcanologist Phillip Yamah on volcanic rock on Tanna Island, Vanuatu - captured the imagination of judges.

Become the next Single Image competition winner - enter your best photographs for free now!

Student competition

The Student competition celebrates series created by photography students worldwide.

Up-and-coming photographers have the chance to take the next big step in their careers and win Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and in the annual book - plus more!

2027 Brief: Journeys

For this year's brief, we invite students to explore the theme of Journeys from their own perspective, in any style and on any device, through a series of five to ten images. While creative responses are encouraged, photographers must stick to the brief.

Last year's Student winner was Jubair Ahmed Arnob (Bangladesh) for The Place Where I Used to Play, a poetic series documenting urban change in Dhaka.

Become the next Student winner and kickstart your photography career - enter for free now!

Youth competition

The Youth competition rewards the best single images captured by aspiring photographers worldwide who are 19 years old and under. Enter up to three of your favourite photographs for free to win Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and in the annual book, worldwide promotion through our channels — plus more!

All photographic styles, genres and approaches are welcome - enter your top standout images and catch the judges' eye and imagination.

Last year's Youth winner was 16-year-old Philip Kangas (Sweden) for Saving History from the Flames.