Image description
At Sand River in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the remnants of the migration suddenly turned back. From the opposite bank, a black rhino emerged and began to cross the river alone. Watching such an elusive animal take a path usually shaped by the herds was an unexpected moment for the photographer.
Shortlist
Andreea Selagea
Glowing peaks
Sunrise over the Torres del Paine peaks in Chile’s Patagonia region.
© Andreea Selagea, Romania, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Marie-Line Dentler
Another World
This image depicts an ice cave in Iceland.
© Marie-Line Dentler, France, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Sunny Quintero
Sonidero
A group of people gather to dance in the streets of Tepito, reportedly one of Mexico City’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. Organised by a group of sonideros (DJs), the ‘Dance for Peace’ event sought to promote peace, build community, and prevent violence by reclaiming public spaces through music and dance.
© Sunny Quintero, Mexico, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Lara Campostrini
My Eyes
A self-portrait.
© Lara Campostrini, Italy, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Tania Shcheglova
Four Days Old
This photograph of a four-day-old lamb is part of the photographer’s visual manifesto of optimism, kindness and spiritual presence. The photographer explains ‘it serves as a gentle reminder that love is real, beauty exists, and we can choose light over darkness in a cultural climate saturated with narratives of collapse, trauma and fragmentation.’
© Tania Shcheglova, Ukraine, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Candela Gonzalez
Portuguese Cavalry Officer Portrait
A cavalry officer from the State Security and Honours Unit of Portugal’s National Republican Guard, photographed in their full ceremonial uniform.
© Candela Gonzalez, Spain, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Maria Gutu
Portrait of Dima
Dmitrii, a young film student and musician photographed in Dendrarium Park in Chișinǎu, Republic of Moldova.
© Maria Gutu, Moldova, Republic Of, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Catherine Wang
The Bridge
Glenn Kaino’s powerful aerial sculpture, Bridge, consists of 200 golden arms hanging from the ceiling of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC, USA. Each arm is a cast of the outstretched right arm of Tommie Smith, the American winner of the men’s 200-metre race at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
© Catherine Wang, United States, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Simone Steuxner
The Winter Fog
Cold settles over the landscape of northern Sweden, lending it a mystical appearance. The photographer explains ‘nature will surprise you every day if you open your eyes to it.’
© Simone Steuxner, Austria, Shortlist, Alpha Female Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards