SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2027
20th International Photography Competition
Entry Fee: Free to enter, with a qualification for the Single Image competition: the first three images are free, while paid image bundles are available for additional submissions.
Eligibility: International – Open to photographers worldwide
Organizer: World Photography Organisation, supported by Sony
Entries opened: June 1, 2026
The Sony World Photography Awards is a major international photography competition celebrating photographers and contemporary photographic storytelling from around the world. The 2027 edition marks the competition’s 20th anniversary. It offers amateur, emerging, and professional photographers opportunities to share their work with a global audience.
For 2027, two competition sections have new names: the former Professional competition is now called Series, and the former Open competition is now called Single Image. Two new categories have also been introduced: Histories in Series and Animal Portraits in Single Image.
The awards feature four main competitions: Series, Single Image, Student, and Youth.
1. Series Competition
Deadline: January 12, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. GMT
The Series competition recognizes photographic projects that tell a compelling story through a connected body of work. Photographers may submit a series of 5–10 images to each of up to 10 categories, with one series per category. Entry is free.
Categories:
- Architecture & Design
- Creative
- Documentary Projects
- Environment
- Histories
- Landscape
- Perspectives
- Portraiture
- Sport
- Wildlife & Nature
Prizes and opportunities:
- The Photographer of the Year title and a $25,000 cash prize
- Sony Digital Imaging equipment
- A solo presentation at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London
- Opportunities to be included in international exhibitions
- Publication in the annual awards book
- International press and media exposure
- Career-development opportunities with industry experts
2. Single Image Competition
Deadline: January 5, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. GMT
The Single Image competition celebrates powerful photographs that tell a story in a single frame. Images must have been taken in 2026. The first three images may be submitted for free. Paid image bundles are available through the official entry system for photographers who wish to submit more.
Categories:
- Architecture
- Creative
- Landscape
- Lifestyle
- Motion
- Natural World & Wildlife
- Portraiture
- Street Photography
- Travel
- Animal Portraits
New for 2027, Animal Portraits celebrates the character and personality of animals, from household pets and wildlife to marine animals, reptiles, and insects.
Prizes and opportunities:
- A $5,000 cash prize for the overall winner
- Sony Digital Imaging equipment
- Flights and accommodation to attend the awards ceremony in London for the overall winner
- Inclusion in exhibitions and the annual awards book
- International press and media exposure
- Promotional opportunities for category winners and shortlisted photographers
3. Student Competition
Deadline: November 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. GMT
The Student competition supports photography students worldwide who meet the competition’s eligibility requirements. Entry is free.
2027 Brief: Journeys
Students are invited to explore the idea of journeys from their own perspectives. The theme can include physical travel, personal transformation, changes within communities and cities, or the movement of animals across the world.
Entries must consist of a photographic series of 5–10 images responding to the brief. Photographs may be created using any device and in any style, provided the work addresses the theme.
Prizes and opportunities:
- Sony Digital Imaging equipment
- Inclusion in the London exhibition
- Publication in the annual awards book
- International exposure and career opportunities
Applicants should review the official rules to confirm that their educational institution and student status meet the eligibility requirements.
4. Youth Competition
Deadline: January 5, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. GMT
The Youth competition is open to young photographers 19 years old and under. Entry is free, and participants may submit up to three of their favorite photographs taken in 2026.
All photographic styles, genres, and approaches are welcome. Participants are encouraged to submit original images that showcase their individual vision and storytelling ability.
Prizes and opportunities:
- Sony Digital Imaging equipment
- Inclusion in the London exhibition
- Publication in the annual awards book
- International promotion and exposure
- Opportunities for young photographers to gain recognition
Technical Requirements and How to Enter
- Entries must be submitted online through the official World Photography Organisation website.
- Submitted photographs must be the entrant’s own work.
- For the Single Image competition, files must be JPEGs, saved in the sRGB color model, and between 1 MB and 5 MB.
- If an image has been manipulated, entrants may be required to describe the extent of the manipulation. Fully computer-generated content cannot be the original source of an entry.
- Technical requirements and eligibility rules vary by competition. Applicants should read the official rules for their chosen section before submitting.
Submission Deadlines
| Competition | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Student | November 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m. GMT |
| Single Image | January 5, 2027, 4:00 p.m. GMT |
| Youth | January 5, 2027, 4:00 p.m. GMT |
| Series | January 12, 2027, 4:00 p.m. GMT |
Important Notice
This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. Competition rules, eligibility requirements, technical specifications, prizes, and deadlines may change. Please consult the official competition website for the latest information and review the relevant rules before submitting an entry.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION WEBSITE
