By Kalum Carter
Copyright digitalcameraworld
Skip to main content
Close main menu
Digital Camera World
THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
View Profile
Search Digital Camera World
Accessories
Buying Guides
The Photography & Video Show
Digital Camera
Australian Camera
Australian ProPhoto
Photography Magazines
Why subscribe?
Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more
Delivered to your Android or IOS device
Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration
From$12Subscribe now
Camera news
Camera rumors
Photography & Video Show
Cheatsheets
Photo mag deals
Prime Day deals
Don’t miss these
Awards and Competitions
Your shots deserve the spotlight: 10 global photo contests now open from August to January
Awards and Competitions
Don’t let your best shots go unseen: 8 photo contest open calls for photographers of all levels, from July to January
Galleries and Exhibitions
You will not want to miss this incredible showcase of contemporary photography!
Awards and Competitions
This is your sign to share your best work: 10 global photo contests now open for entries from September to February
Awards and Competitions
2025 Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize shortlist showcases global talent
Awards and Competitions
World’s biggest photograph contest reveals top ten images from a staggering 656,000 entries
Awards and Competitions
Who will win the ‘Oscar’ of photography? The AOP Awards finalists are in – and they’re here to impress
Travel Photography
‘Make the judges think, make them look again and sometimes even make them smile’ – how to win Travel Photographer of the Year
Awards and Competitions
Association of Photographers celebrates 40 years of emerging talent by announcing the 2025 Student Award winners
Awards and Competitions
This spectacular photo of a once-in-144-years ritual just earned the photographer global recognition at the IPA
Awards and Competitions
Last call for the BIPP International Print Masters 2025 – get global exposure for your finest photography!
Awards and Competitions
Selected from 60,000+ entries, take an exclusive sneak peek at powerful images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 competition
Awards and Competitions
The Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2025 Shortlist reveals the epitome of photographic storytelling
Awards and Competitions
Your last chance to enter the MPAs – the only global music photography awards want to see what you’ve captured
Awards and Competitions
This mind-bending underwater photo just won Australia’s top nature photography award
Photography
Awards and Competitions
Sony World Photography Awards 2026 announces judges and London exhibition dates
Kalum Carter
17 September 2025
The world’s leading photography competition reveals its 2026 judges, London exhibition dates and key deadlines for photographers at every level
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: © Victor Ribeiro, Brazil, entry, Open Competition, Motion, Sony World Photography Awards 2026)
The Sony World Photography Awards has revealed the jury and exhibition dates for its 19th edition, continuing its mission to champion the most compelling stories in contemporary photography.
Established in 2007, the Awards has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for photographers, providing unparalleled international exposure and recognition. Entry to the Awards is free and photographers are judged anonymously by a panel of industry-leading experts.
Last year, Zed Nelson took home the Photographer of the Year title, cementing his status as one of the leading voices in documentary photography. His work, which you can read about in my interview with him, exemplifies the kind of narrative and visual impact the Awards aim to celebrate.
You may like
Your shots deserve the spotlight: 10 global photo contests now open from August to January
Don’t let your best shots go unseen: 8 photo contest open calls for photographers of all levels, from July to January
You will not want to miss this incredible showcase of contemporary photography!
(Image credit: © Matthew Sharp, United Kingdom, entry, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, Sony World Photography Awards 2026)
For 2026, Monica Allende returns as Chair of the Jury for the Professional Competition and curator of the London exhibition at Somerset House, marking her third year in the role. She will be joined by an international panel of leading photography figures, bringing diverse perspectives to the judging process.
Joining Allende on the Professional Competition jury are Daniel Brena, director of the Centro de las Artes de San Agustín in Mexico; Yumi Goto, independent curator, editor, researcher and publisher from Japan; Zack Hatfield, managing editor of Aperture magazine in the United States; Paul Ninson, founder and executive director of the Dikan Center in Ghana; and Bindi Vora, artist and senior curator at the UK’s Autograph visual arts organization.
The Open and Youth competitions will be judged by Ruby Rees-Sheridan, assistant curator of photography at the National Portrait Gallery in London, while the Student competition will be overseen by Tess Raimbeau, photo editor at Libération in France.
(Image credit: © Bipul Ahmed, Bangladesh, entry, Open Competition, Travel, Sony World Photography Awards 2026)
The Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition will once again take place at Somerset House, London, from April 17 to May 04 2026. It will showcase a selection of winning and shortlisted images, alongside special presentations by last year’s Photographer of the Year, Zed Nelson, and this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient, to be announced in November.
Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Following London the exhibition will tour internationally, including spring presentations in Tokyo and an ongoing Milan display until September 28. It will then travel to Berlin, Germany, from October 16 2026 to January 18 2027.
The Awards opened for submissions in June this year, with deadlines across the four competitions as follows: Professional entries must be submitted by January 13 2026, Open and Youth submissions by January 06 2026, and Student entries by November 28 2025.
Winners will receive digital imaging equipment from Sony, while cash prizes include $25,000 (around £18,300 / AU$37,500) for the Photographer of the Year, $5,000 (£3,700 / AU$7,500) for the Open Photographer of the Year and $5,000 for the Sustainability Prize. The Photographer of the Year also receives a solo presentation in the following year’s London exhibition.
With its history of showcasing the defining images of contemporary photography, the Sony World Photography Awards remain a vital platform for photographers, from emerging talent to seasoned professionals, to share their vision with the world.
(Image credit: © Valentine de Villemeur, France, entry, Open Competition, Portraiture, Sony World Photography Awards 2026)
you may also like…
Check out the winners from the Sony World Photography Awards 2025.
Kalum Carter
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer
Kalum is a photographer, filmmaker, creative director, and writer with over 10 years of experience in visual storytelling. With a strong focus on photography books, curation, and photo editing, he blends a deep understanding of both contemporary and historical works.
Alongside his creative projects, Kalum writes about photography and filmmaking, interviewing industry professionals, showcasing emerging talent, and offering in-depth analyses of the art form. His work highlights the power of visual storytelling, fostering an appreciation for the impact of photography.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Your shots deserve the spotlight: 10 global photo contests now open from August to January
Don’t let your best shots go unseen: 8 photo contest open calls for photographers of all levels, from July to January
You will not want to miss this incredible showcase of contemporary photography!
This is your sign to share your best work: 10 global photo contests now open for entries from September to February
2025 Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize shortlist showcases global talent
World’s biggest photograph contest reveals top ten images from a staggering 656,000 entries
Latest in Awards and Competitions
From 1-gigapixel images to 22-hour exposures – check out the winners of this inspiring astronomy photography competition
Check out these creative ways to use shapes in photography! These photo competition highlights are truly inspiring
The world’s biggest pet photography competition just crowned the best pet photographer of 2025
Ever wondered what the Sound of Silence looks like? Haunting photography project wins Urban Press Award 2025
This photo just won a Leica camera, a trip to Switzerland and a day shooting in the Alps with Chris Burkard for its photographer!
This mind-bending underwater photo just won Australia’s top nature photography award
Latest in News
Skydio: “Welcome to drone-henge” – America’s drone company launches it’s FPV drone… the R10
No, the DJI drone ban hasn’t happened (yet), but you still can’t buy the new DJI Mini 5 Pro in the US. This is why
Sony World Photography Awards 2026 announces judges and London exhibition dates
Evoto reveals “cinema-quality” AI-powered video retouching software amidst bumper launch event
DJI’s teaser – plus a Chinese leak – add up to reveal the Osmo Nano?
This retro compact camera has less than 2MP, but it’s already sold out. Fans are already obsessed with the new $30 Kodak Charmera
LATEST ARTICLES
Skydio: “Welcome to drone-henge” – America’s drone company launches it’s FPV drone… the R10
Polaroid and Thrasher just dropped the most ’90s camera you’ll ever see
Evoto reveals “cinema-quality” AI-powered video retouching software amidst bumper launch event
Schneider Kreuznach and Samyang tease four new L-Mount lenses
Godox ML-150II Macro Ring Flash review: effective close-up lighting for almost any camera
Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Accessibility Statement
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
