A selection of the Sony World Photography Awards finalist photographs
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This week, The Sony World Photography Awards have revealed the 30 finalists and over 65 shortlisted photographers in the 2026 Professional competition: a powerful showcase of visual storytelling that pushes the boundaries of contemporary photography.
Celebrating nearly two decades of photographic excellence, the competition champions photographers whose bold bodies of work combine mastery of the craft with narrative vision. Across this year’s competitions, over 430,000 images from over 200 countries and territories were submitted.
The 10 category winners are chosen from the 30 finalists and announced at a special ceremony in London on 16 April. The recipient of the prestigious Photographer of the Year title is chosen from the category winners and announced on the same night, receiving a $25,000 (USD) cash prize, a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment, as well as the opportunity to show their work in a solo presentation at next year’s London exhibition.
A selection of works by finalist and shortlisted photographers is first on view as part of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition at Somerset House, London, from 17 April to 4 May 2026, and will thereafter travel to other locations.
Everyday Structures
Everyday Structures by André Tezza (Brazil) shines a light on the modest architecture of neighbourhood grocery stores in southern Brazil.
Under the Shadow of Coca
Santiago Mesa’s (Colombia) Under the Shadow of Coca follows the farmers whose livelihoods depend on this illicit economy, and the armed group that controls the cocaine trade in Colombia.
Country Music in Kenya
In Fredrik Lerneryd’s (Sweden) Country Music in Kenya, the photographer captures the International Cowboy Day festival in Nairobi, a major event for country music fans in Kenya.
Buzkashi
Todd Antony’s (New Zealand) series looks at ‘Buzkashi’ (literally meaning ‘goat pulling’ in Persian), the fierce, ancient sport of Tajikistan.
Oyster farms
Andreas Secci’s (Germany) series presents abstract landscapes formed by aerial views of oyster farms on the French coast of Normandy and Brittany.
Sunny side-up
Seungho Kim’s (Korea) Sunny Side Up: A Portrait of the Most Average K-Parenting Today turns the lens on the photographer’s family, to capture the delightful pandemonium of his household – where parents, dog, and baby collide.
Capybara clash
Anita Pouchard Serra’s (Argentina) series captures the clash between the neighbourhood capybaras and the residents of a private development in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
