NATIONAL & REGIONAL AWARDS: WINNERS ANNOUNCED

MENAFN

The Sony World Photography Awards announce the winning and shortlisted photographers of the 2026 National and Regional Awards UAE photographer Salem Alsawafi has won the Open Competition under the Lifestyle category. 2026 exhibition opens at Somerset House, London from 17 April – 4 May 2026 The 2026 Awards additionally sees the introduction of the European Student Award and the India National Award

** UAE photographer Salem Alsawafi**** Alsawafi**

Sebastian Di Domenico (Colombia) Sergio Meléndez Cava (Peru) Yris Pablo (Venezuela) Manuel Seoane (Bolivia) Bienvenido Velasco (Panama) Benjamin Villela (Chile) Irina Werning (Argentina)

Mitsuaki Fujiwara Hajime Hirano Keiichiro Muramatsu

Bennet Böckstiegel (Germany, Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie) Laurie Broughton (UK, University of West England) Laura Anna Rossa (Belgium, LUCA School of Arts Sint Lukas Brussels) Albert Słowiński (Poland, Academy of Art in Szczecin)

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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. worldphoto/exhibition

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. worldphoto

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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. creoarts

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*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.

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