From the electrifying energy of Moroccan equestrian performances to the quiet intimacy of a portrait captured in a bedroom, the Sony World Photography Awards 2025 continues to showcase the world’s most striking visual narratives. As one of the most anticipated photography competitions, this year’s Open competition has brought forward a breathtaking collection of images that redefine storytelling through the lens.
A Global Celebration of Photography
The competition spans multiple categories, each recognizing exceptional talent across diverse photographic styles. This year’s Open competition was judged by Claudia Grimaldi Marks, Senior Manager, New Creator Strategy at Getty Images, who carefully selected the most compelling entries from thousands of submissions. The winners and shortlisted photographers represent a broad spectrum of artistic vision, each offering a unique perspective on the world.
Capturing the Extraordinary: Category Winners
🏆 Creative
Jonell Francisco (Philippines) mesmerizes with Kem the Unstoppable, an elegantly crafted collage portrait that draws inspiration from Renaissance portraiture traditions while exuding a modern vibrancy.
🏞️ Landscape
Ng Guang Ze (Singapore) transports us to the serene beauty of Wenhai, Lijiang, with a black-and-white image of a stream winding through grasslands, seamlessly merging nature’s grace with artistic precision.
🏙️ Lifestyle
Hajime Hirano (Japan) presents a vivid glimpse of Akihabara, once Japan’s electronics capital, with a meticulously composed image of a street vendor selling electronic parts, a nostalgic nod to Japan’s post-1950s economic boom.
🎥 Motion
Olivier Unia (France) freezes an adrenaline-charged moment in Tbourida La Chute, where a rider is dramatically thrown from their mount during a traditional Moroccan ‘tbourida’ equestrian performance. The image encapsulates both the thrill and peril of the sport.
🌿 Natural World & Wildlife
Estebane Rezkallah (France) delivers a hauntingly powerful shot in The Whale Raft, capturing polar bears feasting on a whale carcass in east Greenland—a stark reminder of nature’s raw, untamed reality.
🎭 Object
Sussi Charlotte Alminde (Denmark) brings whimsical artistry to the forefront with Octopuses in the Sky, featuring an array of handmade kites soaring at the renowned Fanø International Kite Fliers Meeting.
📸 Portraiture
Yeintze Boutamba (Gabon) evokes deep emotion in Encounter, an intimate bedroom portrait of two people, immortalizing a fleeting yet profound connection between them.
🚶♂️ Street Photography
Khairizal Maris (Indonesia) celebrates the unfiltered joy of football fans in Celebrating Football Club Victories, where an ecstatic crowd ignites flares in the streets of Bandung, West Java.
🌍 Travel
Matjaž Šimic (Slovenia) captures Bolivia’s rich spiritual traditions in Ask a Shaman, featuring a group of shamans set against La Paz’s vibrant architecture, illustrating the enduring role of shamanic rituals in indigenous culture.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Final Announcement
Beyond these category winners, an extensive list of talented photographers from around the world has been shortlisted, representing a rich tapestry of visual storytelling. The competition is not just about recognition; it serves as a global platform for emerging and professional photographers alike to gain exposure and connect with the international art community.
The anticipation now builds toward April 16, 2025, when the overall winners in the Student, Youth, Open, and Professional competitions will be revealed. These prestigious awards celebrate not only technical excellence but also the power of photography to inspire, provoke, and tell compelling stories.
For more details on upcoming announcements and to view the complete gallery of shortlisted works, visit worldphoto.org
