The Sony World Photography Awards is the leading competition for photographers and artists working in photography. Made up of four competitions (Professional, Open, Student and Youth), all entries are free and the top prize is $25,000. The Awards is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions by elevating photographers’ careers – from established to emerging – since it started 16 years ago.
Professional competition
Free to enter
Open to anyone submitting a series of 5 to 10 images per category
Ten diverse categories to enter
Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place photographers plus up to 7 shortlisted photographers per category
One overall winner receives the Photographer of the Year title
Please see ‘Rules’ below for full image eligibility criteria
Photographer of the Year is rewarded with a solo presentation of their work as part of the Sony World Photography Awards London exhibition the following year
Deadline is January 10 2025 at 13.00 GMT
Open Competition
Free to enter and open to anyone submitting single images taken in 2024
Enter up to three single images for free
Ten diverse categories to enter
Awards for category winners plus up to 15 shortlisted photographers per category
One overall winner receives the Open Photographer of the Year title
Please see ‘Rules’ below for full image eligibility criteria
Deadline is 3 January, 2025 at 13.00 GMT
Youth Competition
Competition runs from 1 June 2024 to 3 January 2025
Photographers can enter up to three images relating to the theme ‘Through Your Eyes’Judges will select a shortlist of up to 10 photographers
Shortlist compete for Youth Photographer of the Year title
Overall winner receives Youth Photographer of the Year title and Sony digital imaging kit
Please see ‘Rules’ below for full image eligibility criteria
Deadline for entries is 3 January 2025 at 13:00 (GMT)
Student Competition
Free to enter for anyone aged from 18 to 30 years-old undertaking a full-time photography programme*
Students answer a set brief with 5 to 10 images
Up to 10 shortlisted photographers
One overall winner receives the Student Photographer of the Year title
Deadline for entries is 29 November 2024 at 13:00 (GMT)
Competitions Timeline
Sony World Photography Awards 2025 open 1 June 2024, 13:00 (BST)
Student competition closes 29 November 2024, 13:00 (GMT)
Youth competition closes 3 January 2025, 13:00 (GMT)
Open competition (including National & Regional Awards and Alpha Female Award) closes 3 January 2025, 13:00 (GMT)
Professional competition (including Latin America Professional Award and Sustainability Prize) closes 10 January 2025, 13:00 (GMT)
