Emerging Talent Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards

The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 has announced the shortlisted entries for its Student and Youth categories. As it happens every year, the selection of photos highlights the budding talents in the photography realm, and, as per tradition, the results are stunning. This year’s topics encapsulate the essence of youthful inspiration, with students delving into the idea of “new beginnings,” while the youth contest celebrated exceptionally remarkable images.

Student contest: narratives in sequences

Ten photographic students reacted to the motif “In the Beginning” by presenting compelling series that encompassed personal recollections, social transformations, and cultural traditions. Among these, Xingyu Fan from China scrutinized the effects of modernization on rural-urban divides in Where Roads Begin to Split.

Louna Pauly from France uncovered familial stories in Olga, merging historical and staged photographs to commemorate her great-grandmothers’ fortitude.

Aspects of identity also illuminated the exhibit, exemplified in Montenez Lowery’s series where pinhole cameras fashioned from culturally significant items animated The Last Day We Saw the Mountains and the Sea.

Environmental, cultural, and profoundly personal stories blended effortlessly across this category. Danish photographer Peter Stougård Maunsbach investigated fertility procedures in Denmark, while Thapelo Mahlangu’s craftsmanship highlighted Xhosa baptism rituals in South Africa. The announcement of the winner is scheduled for April, with the reward consisting of €30,000 worth of Sony equipment for their educational institution.

Youth contest

Artists aged 19 and below astounded the evaluators with stunning solo captures. Visuals such as Matteo Botta’s aerial perspective of the Schwarzberg mountain in Switzerland and Landon Chong Chung Yi’s dawn in Malaysia showcased exceptional skill and keen attention to detail. Comedy also made its presence felt in the shortlist with Joshua Hasanoff’s DJ Broken Down, portraying a humorous scene of a car repair reminiscent of a DJ’s turntable arrangement.

This year’s Youth Photographer of the Year will be awarded Sony equipment to further nurture their artistry.

This competition from The Sony World Photography Awards honors inventiveness and provides visibility to budding talents on a worldwide platform. These remarkable shortlists offer a sneak peek into the photography sector’s future, and I believe it gleams with promise! The announcement of the winners will take place at the award presentation in London this April, so stay alert. In the interim, take a look at the Youth shortlists below, and dive deeper into the Sony World Photography Awards website.