How to win: top tips for the Sony World Photography Awards
1 year ago
We share some advice for world's most exciting photography awards
© Khairizal Maris, Indonesia, Winner, Open Competition, Street Photography, Sony World Photography Awards 2025
Photography competitions are a great way for photographers to gain more opportunities to help them take the next step in their careers. If you achieve success, your work can be showcased in new corners of the industry and lead to agency or gallery reputation, publishing deals, and having your work included in worldwide exhibitions.
Whether you’re an established or emerging photographer (the Sony World Photography Awards welcomes individuals of all skill levels and who use any device), the entry process gives you a chance to reflect and articulate what your work is really about. With the deadline fast approaching, make sure you read our top tips to help you go further in this year’s competition.
- Images can be taken on any device - be it a smartphone, DSLR, or pinhole camera, all types of cameras and different brands are allowed.
- It’s a technical point but make sure your images are in JPG format, saved at quality 10 or above, are set to sRGB colour mode, and between 1-5MB.
- Keep your imagery watermarks free otherwise your entry will be disqualified.
- Once you’re ready, take some time to see where your entry would fit best. If you're a photography student, enter your best series into the Student competition responding to this year's brief Together. If you have a compelling photo project then the Professional competition would be the right fit (remember you don’t have to be a full-time professional photographer to enter this competition). If you have a striking standalone image, then the Open competition is for you. If you’re aged 19 and under, then the Youth competition - which is an Open Call - is waiting for your entry.
- Decided on the Open or Professional competitions? Now take some time to consider the right category for your work - a graphic architectural shot won’t go far in the Natural World & Wildlife category.
- Read through the instructions carefully before you take the time to enter. If entering the Open or Youth competition, make sure your image was taken in 2025. If you’re entering the Professional competition make sure your images weren’t published before 2025.
- Successful entries need to work on a variety of platforms. While most of the images are viewed digitally through the World Photography Organisation website and social media channels, the final presentation of the works in the annual exhibition and book form is key.
- Don’t enter at the last minute - give yourself time and don’t rush! The Student competition closes on 28 November 2025 at 13:00 (GMT), the Open and Youth competitions close on 6th January 2026 at 13:00 (GMT); the Professional competition closes on 13th January 2026 at 13:00 (GMT). If you enter early, you may be featured in our weekly Entries of the Week segment!
