Sony World Photography Awards: Youth Competition

About the Program

The Sony World Photography Awards: Youth Competition is open worldwide to photographers aged 19 and under on the closing date. For the 2027 competition, entrants can submit up to three photographs taken in 2026 for free. The Youth Open Call welcomes all photographic styles, genres and approaches; the rules also direct entrants to the website brief. Entries close January 5, 2027 at 16:00 GMT. Entrants under 16 need parental or legal guardian consent.

A shortlist of up to 10 photographers competes for the Youth Competition Winner title. The overall winner receives Sony digital imaging equipment and prizes including flights and accommodation for the London awards ceremony, with exhibition and book inclusion. The overall winner is announced in April 2027; an exact ceremony date is not published on the Youth page.

Checked November 4, 2026 against the official Youth competition rules and Open Call and 2027 launch announcement.

Eligibility

For the 2027 competition, images must have been taken in 2026. The published Youth Open Call welcomes all photographic styles, genres and approaches; the rules also refer to following the website brief. Images must be JPEG files of 1–5 MB, saved in sRGB. Manipulation must be explained in the image description, and the original must be an analogue or digital photograph rather than computer-generated content. Entrants must be the sole owner and author of each entry. 19 and under on the closing date of the competition.

Eligible Countries

How to Apply

To enter, you must upload your image via the World Photography Organisation Website or any of the official Sony World Photography Award websites and follow the on-screen instructions carefully. Each entrant can submit up to three images for free. If under 16, parental or legal guardian consent is required.