Citlali Fabián has been named Photographer of the Year on the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, with the judging panel hailing her photograph sequence targeted on Indigenous activists and artists in southern Mexico.
Fabián, who’s from the Yalalteca Indigenous group, “uses photography to explore ways of addressing identity and its connections with territory, migration, and community bonds,” stated the organizers in a press release Thursday.
Her photograph sequence “Bilha, Stories of my Sisters,” is a mirrored image “on urgent questions of visibility and representation,” stated Monica Allende, chair of the 2026 skilled jury, within the assertion.
“Her subjects are not simply photographed, they are active participants in shaping how their stories are told,” added Allende.
“Through this process, the artist highlights the presence, strength, and achievements of women who have often been overlooked, giving them the visibility and recognition they have long deserved within the wider social and cultural landscape.”
Alongside Fabián, an additional 9 class winners had been chosen within the skilled competitors.
They embrace Joy Saha within the structure and design class; Santiago Mesa within the documentary tasks class; and Isadora Romero within the atmosphere class.
Other prizes embrace scholar photographer of the 12 months, gained by Jubair Ahmed Arnob; youth photographer of the 12 months, which went to 16-year-old Philip Kangas; and the excellent contribution to pictures award, which was given to Joel Meyerowitz, whose profession has spanned six many years.
The competitors, which is now in its nineteenth 12 months, obtained greater than 430,000 pictures from greater than 200 nations and territories, in accordance with the organizers.
A collection of pictures from the awards shall be displayed at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.
Scroll right down to see a few of the pictures.