OVERALL WINNERS 2026 

• The Sony World Photography Awards announce the four overall winners of the 2026 competitions: Professional, Open, Student and Youth 
• Citlali Fabián receives the prestigious Photographer of the Year title 
• The 10 category winners for the Professional competition announced 
• Joel Meyerowitz honoured as 2026 Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient 
• 2026 exhibition opens at Somerset House, London from 17 April – 4 May 

DUBAI, UAE, 17 APRIL 2026 – The Sony World Photography Awards announced today the 2026 overall winners at a gala ceremony in London, bringing together leading figures in the contemporary photography world to honour this year’s winners and their achievements. 

The prestigious Photographer of the Year 2026 title was awarded to Citlali Fabián for the series Bilha, Stories of my Sisters. Citlali Fabián is a visual artist from the Yalalteca Indigenous community in Mexico currently based in London, who uses photography to explore ways of addressing identity and its connections with territory, migration, and community bonds. Fabián receives a $25,000 (USD) cash prize, a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment, and the opportunity to present a solo showcase at the Sony World Photography Awards 2027 exhibition. 

Fabián was selected from the 10 Professional competition category winners, who were announced at today’s ceremony, alongside the 2nd and 3rd place finalists in each category. The evening’s programme additionally recognised the overall winners of the Awards’ Open, Student and Youth competitions. Also honoured during the course of the evening was this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient, celebrated photographer Joel Meyerowitz. 

Now in their 19th edition, the Sony World Photography Awards set the standard for international photography recognition; an unmissable moment in the global cultural calendar that continues to discover, celebrate and elevate the photographers shaping our visual world. Across this year’s competitions, over 430,000 images from over 200 countries and territories were submitted. Each edition of the Awards brings into focus stories and images with profound resonance, offering an authoritative perspective on the ever-evolving art of photography.  

The Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition is on display at Somerset House, London from 17 April – 4 May, presenting over 300 prints and hundreds of images in digital displays, as well as a special presentation by Joel Meyerowitz. 

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Citlali Fabián wins for her project Bilha, Stories of my Sisters, which blends carefully crafted photographic portraits with digital illustrations. The series tells the stories of iconic women from Indigenous communities across Oaxaca, Mexico, whose advocacy work generates meaningful impact across a range of spheres: in law, linguistics, the arts and ecology, among others. Conceived as a project to inspire young girls with positive role models, and created through close, sustained collaboration with the women in the photographs, the images in this series highlight their achievements as well as their lived experiences and motivations. The digital drawings applied to the portraits comprise symbols and motifs that reflect the sitters’ personal trajectories and celebrate their cultural heritage. 

Commenting on Citlali Fabián’s winning project, Monica Allende, Chair of the 2026 Professional jury says: ‘Through her work, Citlali Fabián reflects on urgent questions of visibility and representation. In many Indigenous cultures, stories are told collectively, shaped by conversation and lived experience rather than by a single voice. Fabián brings this spirit into her photographic practice by working closely with each woman she portrays. Her subjects are not simply photographed, they are active participants in shaping how their stories are told. Through this process, the artist highlights the presence, strength, and achievements of women who have often been overlooked, giving them the visibility and recognition they have long deserved within the wider social and cultural landscape.’ 

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY WINNERS 

The winning series in the 2026 Professional competition have been selected by a panel of expert judges. Each of the winning photographers displays an original approach to storytelling and outstanding technical ability. 

All of the category winners receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment, and were invited to participate in Insights, a day of specialised sessions with industry experts in London.

This year’s winners are:  

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 

WINNER: Joy Saha (Bangladesh) for Homes of Haor 

Finalists: 2nd place André Tezza (Brazil); 3rd place Chen Liang (China Mainland) 

CREATIVE 

WINNER: Citlali Fabián (Mexico) for Bilha, Stories of My Sisters 

Finalists: 2nd place Pablo Ramos (Mexico); 3rd place Ben Brooks (United Kingdom) 

DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS 

WINNER: Santiago Mesa (Colombia) for Under the Shadow of Coca 

Finalists: 2nd place Colin Delfosse (Belgium); 3rd place Alexandre Bagdassarian (France)  

ENVIRONMENT 

WINNER: Isadora Romero (Ecuador) for Notes on How to Build a Forest 

Finalists: 2nd place Matteo Trevisan (Italy); 3rd place Shane Hynan (Ireland) 

LANDSCAPE 

WINNER: Dafna Talmor (United Kingdom) for Constructed Landscapes 

Finalists: 2nd place Andreas Secci (Germany), 3rd place Michael Blann (United Kingdom) 

PERSPECTIVES 

WINNER: Seungho Kim (Republic of Korea) for Sunny Side Up: A Portrait of the Most Average K-Parenting Today 

Finalists: 2nd place Hayate Kurisu (Japan); 3rd place Fredrik Lerneryd (Sweden) 

PORTRAITURE 

WINNER: Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni (Italy) for The Faithful 

Finalists: 2nd place Marisa Reichert (Germany); 3rd place Federico Borella (Italy) 

SPORT 

WINNER: Todd Antony (New Zealand) for Buzkashi 

Finalists: 2nd place Morgan Otagburuagu (Nigeria); 3rd place Rob Van Thienen (Belgium) 

STILL LIFE 

WINNER: Vilma Taubo (Norway) for Talking Without Speaking 

Finalists: 2nd place Gargi Sharma (India); 3rd place Daniele Vita (Italy) 

WILDLIFE & NATURE 

WINNER: Will Burrard-Lucas (United Kingdom) for Crossing Point 

Finalists: 2nd place Anita Pouchard Serra (Argentina); 3rd place Wolfgang Duerr (Germany) 

OPEN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 

The Open competition is a celebration of the photographic image in all its power; standout images are chosen for the way they distil a moment into something that resonates far beyond it. The Open Photographer of the Year 2026 is Elle Leontiev (Australia), who receives a $5,000 (USD) cash prize and Sony Digital Imaging equipment. 

Leontiev wins for The Barefoot Volcanologist, a striking portrait of Phillip Yamah, an internationally recognised, self-taught volcano scientist, standing atop a volcanic rock bomb on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. 

Commenting on her win, Elle Leontiev says: ‘In 2018 I stood in a London gallery at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and dreamed of being featured. Years later, my dream has become real. Seeing my work win has filled me with overwhelming gratitude and tears of joy. It’s a reminder that quiet dreams, nurtured and pursued with heart, can come true.’ 

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 

The brief for this year’s Student competition was Together, inviting students of photography across the world to enter a series on the theme of togetherness, looking at the concept in its broadest sense. The Student Photographer of the Year 2026 is Jubair Ahmed Arnob (Bangladesh, Counter Foto – A Center for Visual Arts). His series The Place Where I Used To Play, visually narrates the changing landscape of the Green Model Town in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where urban development is altering daily life and the suburban topography.  

Commenting on his win, Jubair Ahmed Arnob says: ‘Winning the Sony World Photography Award feels like a dream come true — years of passion, memories, and stories finally being seen and recognised. It fills me with gratitude, joy, and a renewed drive to keep capturing the world through my lens.’ 

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 

The 2026 Youth competition invited all photographers aged 19 and under to respond to the Open Call and share their best images of the past year. The Youth Photographer of the Year 2026 is Philip Kangas (Sweden, 16 years old). He receives the award for Saving History from the Flames, a remarkable image of two firefighters as they carry an artwork out of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm during a fire, capturing the action and collaboration of the moment.  

Commenting on his win, Philip Kangas says: ‘I was very surprised when I heard that I was a winner in this year’s Sony World Photography Awards. I am very happy, as it gives confirmation to my hard work.’ 

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY  

The prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Photography 2026 is awarded to acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz. Meyerowitz’s practice is marked by his observant eye, finely tuned to the currents and textures of life. His work shows a fascination with life happening around him, and a remarkable instinct for framing images that are at once revealing and enigmatic, imbued with beauty and wit.  

A selection of works by Meyerowitz, including excerpts from his series Europa (1966-1967) and two new artist videos, are on view at Somerset House as part of the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition, offering an insight into the spirit and curiosity that has characterised his practice for the past six decades. 

PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION CATEGORY WINNERS AND SHORTLIST 

OPEN COMPETITION CATEGORY WINNERS AND SHORTLIST 

STUDENT & YOUTH COMPETITIONS CATEGORY WINNERS AND SHORTLIST
 

SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 

Produced by Creo under its photography strand the World Photography Organisation, the internationally acclaimed 

Sony World Photography Awards are one of the most important fixtures in the global photographic calendar. Now in its 19th year, the free-to-enter Awards are a global voice for photography and provide a vital insight into contemporary photography today. For both established and emerging artists, the Awards offer world-class opportunities for exposure of their work. The Awards additionally recognise the world’s most influential artists working in the medium through the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award; the acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz is the 2026 recipient of this award, joining a distinguished list of iconic names including William Eggleston (2013), Mary Ellen Mark (2014), Martin Parr (2017), Graciela Iturbide (2021), Edward Burtynsky (2022), Sebastião Salgado (2024) and Susan Meiselas (2025). The Awards showcase the works of winning and shortlisted photographers at a prestigious annual exhibition at Somerset House, London.

2026 JUDGES 

Professional Competition: Monica Allende, Independent Curator and Photography Consultant, Chair of 

the Jury; Daniel Brena, Director, Centro de las Artes de San Agustín, Mexico; Yumi Goto, Independent Curator, Editor, Researcher and Publisher, Japan; Zack Hatfield, Managing Editor, Aperture magazine, USA; Paul Ninson, Founder and Executive Director, Dikan Center, Ghana;  Bindi Vora, Artist and Senior Curator, Autograph, UK 

Open & Youth Competitions: Ruby Rees-Sheridan, Assistant Curator, Photography, National Portrait Gallery, UK 

Student Competition: Tess Raimbeau, Photo Editor, Libération, France 

CITLALI FABIÁN 

Citlali Fabián is a visual artist from the Yalalteca Indigenous community in Mexico. Her work has been awarded by the Bertha Foundation, Magnum Foundation, National Geographic Society and Arts Council England. She uses photography to explore ways of addressing identity and its connections with territory, migration, and community bonds. 

ELLE LEONTIEV 

Elle Leontiev is a practicing photographer of 10 years, working across digital and fine art darkroom techniques. She believes in photography’s power to influence society, exploring humanity, nature and our place in the universe through her images. 

JUBAIR AHMED ARNOB 

Jubair Ahmed Arnob is a Bangladeshi documentary photographer exploring overlooked socio-environmental stories through research-driven practice. He creates work that preserves what is fading, questions what is changing, and reveals the emotions shaped by shifting environments. 

PHILIP KANGAS 

Philip Kangas is 17 years old and lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden. The main focus of his practice is photojournalistic work, with his coverage mainly centering around sports, news events and portraiture.  

JOEL MEYEROWITZ  

Joel Meyerowitz (b. New York, 1938) Is an award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in over 350 exhibitions in museums and galleries around the world. Celebrated as a pioneer of colour photography, he is a two-time Guggenheim Fellow, a recipient of both National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities awards, and a recipient of The Royal Photographic Society’s Centenary Medal. He has published 57 books. Joel Meyerowitz is represented by Howard Greenberg Gallery in New York, Polka Galerie in Paris and Huxley-Parlour Gallery in London. He lives and works in New York and in London. 

WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY ORGANISATION  

World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of 

photographic culture. Its programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working 

in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work. The Sony World Photography Awards is the 

World Photography Organisation’s principal programme. Established in 2007, it is one of the world’s biggest and 

most prestigious photography competitions; celebrating the work of leading and emerging practitioners and  

attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to its exhibitions worldwide. World Photography Organisation is the 

photography strand of Creo, which initiates events and programming across three sectors: photography, film and contemporary art. 

CREO 

Creo initiates and organises events and programming across three key strands: photography, film and contemporary art. Established in 2007 as World Photography Organisation, Creo has since grown in scope, furthering its mission of developing meaningful opportunities for creatives and expanding the reach of its cultural activities. Today, its flagship projects include the Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, PHOTOFAIRS and Photo London. Working in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts (AMA), Creo helps deliver the group’s ventures, comprising some of the world’s leading art fairs. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘I create’, it is in this spirit that Creo sets out to empower and give agency to creative voices.

SONY GROUP CORPORATION  

Sony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. From Game & Network Services to Music, Pictures, Electronics Products & Solutions, Imaging & Sensing Solutions and Financial Services – Sony’s purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology.

SONY CORPORATION 

Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business. With the mission to “create the future of entertainment through the power of technology together with creators,” we aim to continue to deliver Kando* to people around the world.

*Kando is a Japanese word that roughly translates to the sense of awe and emotion you feel when experiencing something beautiful and amazing for the first time. 

SONY MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA  

Sony Middle East and Africa FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics (Car Audio), broadcasting and professional products and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 40 countries in the region.   

Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Middle East and Africa leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners. 353 accredited third-party service centres reinforce Sony’s presence in key markets in the region.   

SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2026 BOOK 

This collectible book brings together the best images from the past year, offering a lasting record of the moments, ideas, and encounters that inspired photographers worldwide. Across its pages, readers will discover a wide range of stories – from intimate everyday moments to striking global scenes – explored through diverse genres, styles, and themes. The book also features a special essay on Joel Meyerowitz, recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography, celebrating his enduring influence on generations of image-makers.