Spectacular Winning Photos from the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards

Photographer of the Year: “The Anthropocene Illusion” by Zed Nelson

The 2025 Sony World Photography Awards marked its 18th year with a dazzling gala at London’s Somerset House, celebrating global talent in photography. Ten professional photographers were awarded in categories spanning architecture, wildlife, portraiture, and landscape. Winners received cutting-edge Sony digital imaging gear and joined “Insights,” a day of creative discussions and industry panels.

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Open Photographer of the Year: Motion Category – “Tbourida La Chute” by Olivier Unia

The event highlighted the evolving craft of photography through extraordinary and genre-defining works. British photographer Zed Nelson was named Photographer of the Year for *The Anthropocene Illusion*, a profound six-year documentary exploring humanity’s impact on nature. His work will feature again in the 2026 exhibition with a new series.

Professional Category Winner: Architecture & Design – “The Tokyo Toilet Project” by Ulana Switucha

Olivier Unia earned Open Photographer of the Year for a compelling photo of a Moroccan equestrian performance. Micaela Vidivia Medina won Student Photographer of the Year for her poignant series about women in Chilean prisons. Youth Photographer of the Year, Daniel Dian-Ji Wu, captured attention with a stunning sunset silhouette of a skateboarder at Venice Beach.

Professional Category Winner: Creative – “Rhi-Entry” by Rhiannon Adam

Susan Meiselas, renowned for her documentary photography, received the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award. Her celebrated works were showcased alongside over 300 prints during the exhibition, which ran from April 17 to May 5.

Professional Category Winner: Documentary Projects – “Divided Youth of Belfast” by Toby Binder

Professional Category Winner: Environment – “Alquimia Textil” by Nicolás Garrido Huguet

Professional Category Winner: Landscape – “The Strata of Time” by Seido Kino

Professional Category Winner: Perspectives – “The Journey Home From School” by Laura Pannack

Professional Category Winner: Portraiture – “M’kumba” by Gui Christ

Professional Category Winner: Sport – “Shred the Patriarchy” by Chantal Pinzi

Professional Category Winner: Still Life – “Still Waiting” by Peter Franck

Student Photographer of the Year – “The Last Day We Saw the Mountains and the Sea” by Micaela Valdivia Medina

Youth Photographer of the Year – “Eclipse of Motion” by Daniel Dian-Ji Wu