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Sony World Photography Awards triptych of tennis player, splashing bears, and young boy portrait.

Awe-Inspiring Views and Engaging Stories Highlight Sony World Photography Awards 2027

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-09-25

Unveiling This Year’s Distinguished Judges

The 20th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards, open for submissions, promises another year of breathtaking photography. With over 430,000 entries last year, this prestigious competition attracts a wealth of talent worldwide. This year’s panel, judging the new “Histories” category inside the Series competition, includes a distinguished group: Monica Allende, Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo, Peipei Han, Candice Jansen, Amanda Renshaw, and Pauline Vermare, all professionals from global photography spheres.

Exploring Cultural Narratives in the New ‘Histories’ Category

The freshly minted “Histories” category invites photographers to delve into personal, cultural, and collective stories through their series. Entrants can incorporate archival materials to enrich their narratives. This revamped “Series” competition, formerly known as the Professional category, demands a cohesive submission of five to ten related images.

For more on capturing personal and cultural narratives through visual art, explore Léa Mestres’ Surreal Mosaic Masterpieces, which mesh everyday landscapes with artistic imagination.

Aerial view of two riders herding horses across a dusty, sunlit field.
An aerial view shows two riders on horseback herding a large group of horses across a dusty, sunlit field.

An Array of Competitions and New Categories

Maja Dyrehauge Gregersen judges the Single Image and Youth competitions, bringing her expertise from the Copenhagen Photo Festival. Menno Liauw directs the Student competition, drawing on his leadership at the FUTURES Foundation in the Netherlands. A notable addition this year is the “Animal Portrait” category in the Single Image competition, reflecting an expansive range for photographic expression.

Lone hiker with headlamp on ridge overlooking misty mountain valley at twilight.
A lone hiker with a headlamp stands on a rocky ridge overlooking a misty mountain valley at twilight.
Man in white shirt working with yarn over vats in dimly lit room.
A man in a white shirt works with bundles of white yarn over vats in a dimly lit room illuminated by a bright shaft of light.
Man in green soccer jersey held by crowd in front of large screen.
A man in a green soccer jersey is held horizontally in the air by a crowd of people in front of a large digital screen.
Symmetrical, red-walled room with circular display shelf and patterned carpet.
A symmetrical, red-walled room with a circular display shelf in the center holding handbags, featuring small windows along the sides and a patterned carpet.
Smiling woman with blue eyes wearing a floral cap and sheer white veil.
A smiling woman with blue eyes wears a traditional headpiece featuring a floral-patterned cap covered by a sheer white veil.

Sony Photography Competition: Opportunities Await with Grand Prizes and Honors

This year allows photographers to enter both the Series and Single Image competitions, each with unique offerings. The “Photographer of the Year” winner from the Series category will receive a $25,000 cash prize and a spotlight exhibition during next year’s awards. The overall Single Image competition winner will earn $5,000. Deadlines are poised for November 27, 2026, and January 5, 2027, for the Student and Youth categories, while the Series competition closes on January 12.

Freediver swims past vibrant red sea fans and coral reef in clear water.
A freediver swims horizontally through clear blue water past large, vibrant red sea fans and a coral reef.
Two brown bears sparring in shallow water with cloudy sky and mountains.
Two brown bears stand on their hind legs in shallow water, splashing and sparring against a backdrop of a soft, cloudy sky and distant mountains.
Aerial view of shirtless tennis player serving on teal and terracotta court.
An aerial view of a shirtless tennis player serving on a court divided into teal and terracotta sections, with their shadow cast on the teal side.
Hoopoe with fanned crest on lichen-covered fence and barbed wire at sunset.
A hoopoe with its crest fully fanned stands on a weathered, lichen-covered wooden fence topped with barbed wire at sunset.
Three women in yellow tops and colorful headwraps holding flower bouquets.
Three women stand in a row against a red background, wearing yellow tops, black skirts, and colorful headwraps while holding bouquets of flowers.

Continuing a Two-Decade Legacy

Now celebrating two decades, this international recognition remains dedicated to recognizing photographers at every career stage. Open to all, with free entry, this event continues to foster and showcase incredible talent, preserving its esteemed tradition.

Modern, white space with intricate geometric ceiling structure filtering light.
A modern, white interior space with a complex, organic ceiling structure featuring intricate geometric cutouts that filter light.
Young boy with dark skin, blue eyes, and vitiligo patch looking to side.
A young boy with dark skin and striking blue eyes, featuring a patch of vitiligo on his forehead and hair, looks to the side.
Young girl on patterned sofa with cat, surrounded by rolled rugs and photos.
A young girl sits on a patterned sofa holding a cat, with a stack of rolled rugs to her left and several framed photos and a decorative wall hanging displayed on the wallpapered wall behind her.
Person driving Fiat Panda with small dog, cobblestone street, pedestrians.
A person with a small dog in the passenger seat drives a dark-colored Fiat Panda down a cobblestone street lined with pedestrians.

Source: petapixel.com

Frequently asked questions

Who are the judges for the ‘Histories’ category?

The judges for the ‘Histories’ category in the Series competition are Monica Allende, Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo, Peipei Han, Candice Jansen, Amanda Renshaw, and Pauline Vermare.

What is the prize for the Photographer of the Year?

The ‘Photographer of the Year’ winner from the Series category will receive a $25,000 cash prize and a spotlight exhibition during next year’s awards.

What are the deadlines for the Sony Photography Awards 2027?

Deadlines are November 27, 2026, for the Student category, January 5, 2027, for the Youth category, and January 12 for the Series competition.

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