Sony World Photography Awards 2026

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Awards & Exhibitions Announced

World Photography Organisation

Brian Mena Laureano, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of photographic culture. Its programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work. The Sony World Photography Awards is World Photography Organisation’s principal programme. Established in 2007, it is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious photography competitions; celebrating the work of leading and emerging practitioners and attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to its exhibitions worldwide. World Photography Organisation is the photography strand of Creo, responsible for delivering initiatives and programming across three sectors: photography, film and contemporary art.

Seamus Murphy / Ireland, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Documentary Projects, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Hossein Sadri Nobarzad, Untitled / Iran, Islamic Republic Of, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Environment, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Laurie Broughton / United Kingdom, European Student Award, Shortlist, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Ed Alcock, Father Kyle, Walking the Numbered Streets / United Kingdom, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Portraiture, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Ben Brooks, Untitled, Lowrider event at Long Beach, California / United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Creative, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Pablo Ramos / Mexico, Finalist, Professional Competition, Creative, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Creo

Creo initiates and organizes events and programming across three key strands: photography, film and contemporary art. Established in 2007 as World Photography Organisation, Creo has since grown in scope, furthering its mission of developing meaningful opportunities for creatives and expanding the reach of its cultural activities. Today, its flagship projects include the Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, PHOTOFAIRS and Photo London. Working in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts, Creo helps deliver the group’s ventures, comprising some of the world’s leading art fairs. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘I create’, it is in this spirit that Creo sets out to empower and give agency to creative voices.

Mitsuaki Fujiwara / Japan, Shortlist, Japan National Award, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Programme Spotlight: Japan National Award

The Japan National Award, established by Sony Corporation and Creo, is dedicated to celebrating exceptional series created by Japanese photographers entering the Professional competition.

Winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, along with a dedicated showcase of their work at the Sony Imaging Gallery Ginza. Their series will also feature in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House in London, with additional promotion across the World Photography Organisation’s platforms.

Todd Antony, Against the Reins / New Zealand, Finalist, Professional Competition, Sport, Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Yi-Hsuan Lin, Floating Solar Panels / Taiwan, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Environment, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Alexandre Bagdassarian / France, Finalist, Professional Competition, Documentary Projects, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Todd Antony, Against the Reins / New Zealand, Finalist, Professional Competition, Sport, Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Matteo Trevisan, Untitled / Italy, Finalist, Professional Competition, Environment, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards

Travelling exhibition

The Sony World Photography Awards travels extensively each year, giving photographers even more international exposure. Exhibitions in the past have visited (among other places) Milan, Paris, Berlin, Seoul, Buenos Aires and Tokyo.

Joel Meyerowitz, Paris, 1967

Joel Meyerowitz: Exhibition and Talk

A pioneer of colour and a street photography icon, Joel Meyerowitz’s imagery will transport you to the streets of Europe and beyond through a mixed-media display including photographs, videos and soundscapes.

An exclusive artist talk will take place on 21 April at Logan Hall. This is a rare chance to hear Meyerowitz discuss his work and career, moderated by acclaimed journalist and broadcaster John Wilson.

Meyerowitz is the 19th recipient of the Sony World Photography Awards Outstanding Contribution to Photography, an award that honours a person or group that has made a significant impact on the photographic medium.

Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Winners & Shortlist Announced / World Photography Organisation
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World Photography Organisation

Organization

The World Photography Organisation is a global platform for photography initiatives. Working across up to 180 countries, our aim is to raise the...

Somerset House

London

Photo London

International Photography Fair

Joel Meyerowitz

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