The Sony World Photography Awards, one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world, has unveiled its shortlisted entries and finalists for 2025. The competition, now in its 18th year, received an astonishing 420,000 entries across its various categories, including professional, student, youth, and open contests.
This year’s shortlist and finalists showcase a diverse range of perspectives and styles, from narratives of community-building to explorations of collective memory and empowering stories of people challenging conventions. The selected images demonstrate great originality and clarity of vision, as noted by jury chair Monica Allende.
Among the finalists are images that capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us. A striking photograph of a taxidermist preparing a deceased wolf for display at a museum in the Netherlands is a testament to the artistry and skill of taxidermy. Another image, featuring a female skater in India, showcases the country’s vibrant and growing skateboarding culture.
The competition’s professional categories include landscape, still life, sport, and environment, among others. Each category features three finalists and up to seven shortlisted photographers. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded the prestigious Photographer of the Year title, along with a $25,000 cash prize and a range of Sony equipment.
The Sony World Photography Awards is not just a competition, but also a celebration of photography’s power to inspire, educate, and connect people. The selected images will be exhibited at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 5, 2025, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the world’s best photography up close.
The Art of Photography
Photography is an art form that requires skill, creativity, and a keen eye for detail. The Sony World Photography Awards celebrates the work of photographers who have dedicated their lives to capturing the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
From the frozen landscapes of the Arctic to the vibrant streets of India, photography has the power to transport us to new and unfamiliar worlds. It can also inspire us to see the world in a new light, to appreciate the beauty in the everyday, and to connect with others across cultures and borders.
The Impact of Photography
Photography has the power to inspire, educate, and connect people. It can also raise awareness about important social and environmental issues, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.
The Sony World Photography Awards is committed to promoting photography as a tool for positive change. By showcasing the work of photographers who are using their cameras to make a difference, the competition aims to inspire others to use photography as a force for good.
Conclusion
The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 is a celebration of photography’s power to inspire, educate, and connect people. The competition’s shortlisted entries and finalists showcase a diverse range of perspectives and styles, from narratives of community-building to explorations of collective memory and empowering stories of people challenging conventions.
As we look through the lens of a camera, we are reminded of the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Photography has the power to inspire us, to educate us, and to connect us with others across cultures and borders. The Sony World Photography Awards is a testament to the enduring power of photography to capture the essence of our world and to inspire us to make a positive impact on it.