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The World Photography Organisation was established in 2007 by Founder and CEO Scott Gray. Our purpose is to raise the level of conversation around photography worldwide, through a year-round programme of exhibitions, awards and competitions. Our mission is to support photographers around the world, to celebrate and show their work, as well as nurture the medium of photography on a global scale. Our value lies in the integrity of our expertise, our years of experience and the strength of our relationships with both individual photographers as well as our industry-leading partners around the world. The World Photography Organisation is a global platform for photography which activates initiatives, in over 50 countries each year, that help support artists working in the medium of photography. From international exhibition tours, online competitions, and prestigious awards to collaborative projects and high-end art fairs, we embrace photography in all its forms, and are dedicated to the success of our community of artists and photographers.
Description
Now in its 14th year, the Awards consist of four competitions: Professional (for photographers entering a body of work or portfolio), Open (for photographers entering a single image), Student (for academic institutions) and Youth (for 12-19 year-olds).
Always free to enter, there is a competition and a category for everyone – from Architecture, Documentary, Landscape, Portraiture, Sport, Street Photography, Wildlife, Travel, Culture and more. New categories for the 2021 Awards include Object and Lifestyle in the Open competition and Portfolio in the Professional competition. The Architecture category in the Professional competition has been expanded to Architecture and Design.
All images are judged by industry experts from across the world, who come together each year in London to reward standout works. A total prize fund of $60,000 (USD) plus the latest Sony digital imaging equipment is shared between the winning photographers.
With the power to kickstart and shape careers, the Awards provide those working in photography a global stage to showcase their work. Previous winning and shortlisted photographers have gone on to be represented by renowned galleries and institutions worldwide, as well as their work being featured in major international publications.
In addition, the Awards recognise the world’s most influential artists working in the medium through the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award; previous recipients include Mary Ellen Mark, Elliott Erwitt, Martin Parr, William Eggleston, Candida Höfer, Nadav Kander and, most recently, Gerhard Steidl.
Find out more and enter for free: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards
The Sony World Photography Awards has four competitions:
Professional - Recognising outstanding bodies of work
(closes January 14, 2021 - 13:00 GMT)
Open - Rewarding the world’s best single images
(closes January 07, 2021 - 13:00 GMT)
Youth - Best single images by photographers aged 12-19
(Monthly competitions with a changing theme. Last competition closes December 31, 2020 - 13:00 GMT)
Student - For photography students worldwide
(closes November 30, 2020 - 13:00 GMT)
Jury
We are grateful to this year's judging panel for their time, expertise and insight. All members will each be fully involved in their competition's judging process which will be conducted to the highest standard. The individuals bring an exciting range of knowledge from a variety of backgrounds within the medium.
Check our website for more information about the 2021 judges: https://www.worldphoto.org/2021-judges
Check our website for more information about the 2021 judges: https://www.worldphoto.org/2021-judges
Rewards
Professional Competition:
Photographer of the Year receives $25,000 (USD), a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion of their work in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Ten category winners receive flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in the Sony World Photography Awards book, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Second and third place winners receive Awards ceremony ticket, publication in the Sony World Photography Awards book, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Shortlisted photographers have works shown on digital screens at Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Open Competition:
Open Photographer of the Year receives $5,000 (USD), a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London and inclusion in Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
10 category winners receive a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in Sony World Photography Awards book and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Shortlisted photographers - works shown on digital screens at Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Youth Competition:
Youth Photographer of the Year receives flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Monthly judges’ selection - showcased on the World Photography Organisation website and Instagram account
Student Competition:
Student Photographer of the Year receives €30,000 worth of Sony digital imaging equipment for his or her institution and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
10 shortlisted photographers receive flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in Sony World Photography Awards book and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Photographer of the Year receives $25,000 (USD), a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion of their work in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Ten category winners receive flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in the Sony World Photography Awards book, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Second and third place winners receive Awards ceremony ticket, publication in the Sony World Photography Awards book, inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Shortlisted photographers have works shown on digital screens at Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Open Competition:
Open Photographer of the Year receives $5,000 (USD), a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London and inclusion in Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
10 category winners receive a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in Sony World Photography Awards book and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Shortlisted photographers - works shown on digital screens at Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Youth Competition:
Youth Photographer of the Year receives flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment and inclusion at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London
Monthly judges’ selection - showcased on the World Photography Organisation website and Instagram account
Student Competition:
Student Photographer of the Year receives €30,000 worth of Sony digital imaging equipment for his or her institution and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
10 shortlisted photographers receive flights and accommodation to the Awards ceremony in London, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment, publication in Sony World Photography Awards book and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London
Timeline
Europe/London
Submission starts
The Sony World Photography Awards has four competitions: Professional - Recognising outstanding bodies of work (closes January 14, 2021 - 13:00 GMT)
Submission ends
The Sony World Photography Awards has four competitions: Professional - Recognising outstanding bodies of work (closes January 14, 2021 - 13:00 GMT)
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