"Photography is the story I fail to put into words," observes Destin Sparks, an Australian artist renowned for his cinematic landscapes. This sentiment captures the essence of the Sony World Photography Awards 2025, a platform that highlights the transformative art of visual storytelling. In an era awash with fleeting digital imagery, the Awards are a vital reminder of the depth and complexity that visual expression can bring to understanding the world. The recently announced winners demonstrate how this medium documents, critiques and celebrates life, unveiling truths that resonate universally. Organised by Creo through the World Photography Organisation, the event has become a cornerstone of the global arts calendar. Now in its 18th year, the competition amplifies voices across the spectrum, from seasoned visionaries to emerging talent, providing exposure and fostering deeper dialogue on the ever-evolving landscape of image-making.

The 2025 competition celebrated the vision and technical excellence of its winning photographers, selected by a distinguished panel of judges. Monica Allende, an independent curator and photography consultant who chaired the jury, was joined by experts from around the world, including curator and art critic Yves Chatap, Aldeide Delgado, founder of Women Photographers International Archive, Curatorial Coordinator of Montevideo Center of Photography Vicky Ismach, with Manuel Sigrist, Photo Elysée's head of exhibitions and programme, and lastly, Isabella Tam, Curator of Visual Art at M+.

The leading honour, Photographer of the Year, was presented to British Photographer Zed Nelson for his compelling series, The Anthropocene Illusion. In an official statement, Allende describes the piece of work as one that "illustrates a world where the boundaries between the real and the artificial blur, where the wild survives in controlled enclosures, and where human nostalgia for nature is expressed through spectacle rather than action." Spanning six years and four continents, the project unpacks humanity’s deeply fractured relationship with the natural world. Nelson’s work explores artificial environments designed to simulate nature, from zoos and safari parks to green cities and natural history museums, revealing how these constructed spaces reflect a paradoxical relationship with the environment. Nelson, reflecting on his win as stated in the press release, says, “We have become masters of a stage-managed, artificial ‘experience’ of nature. Projects such as this take extensive research and a very long time to complete; the recognition of this award helps to get the work out into the world and to be able to tell this vital story.”

The Architecture & Design category saw Canadian photographer Ulana Switucha win for her series documenting The Tokyo Toilet Project. This urban redevelopment initiative in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan transforms a mere public convenience into a form of public art, redefining how design can elevate even the most utilitarian structures. Finalist Andre Tezza’s work in San Ignacio, Belize, explored the practical yet vibrant architecture of Central America. Homes, often built on stilts with sloping zinc roofs and wide balconies, are designed for the tropical climate, offering ventilation and protection from flooding. Painted in bright hues that gradually fade when exposed to sunlight and humidity, these buildings embody the region’s blend of utility and charm. Standing quietly resilient as the streets grow silent at day’s end. Meanwhile, Owen Davies’ ongoing LIGHT/MASS series captures alien-like urban structures of American cities, inspired by mid-20th-century utopian visions. After moving from England to New York City in the spring of 2020, just as the global pandemic shut down the city, Davies explored the empty streets on foot and by bike. He became intrigued by the strange buildings he stumbled upon; otherworldly designs that stood out, often unnoticed by others. This fascination grew into a deliberate search of these architectural relics of a once-optimistic future.

In the Creative category, Rhiannon Adam’s series Rhi-Entry secured the top prize for her deeply personal and conceptual exploration of identity and belonging. Other finalists, including Irina Shkoda and the duo Julio Etchart and Holly Birtles, brought unique interpretations to contemporary creative photography, pushing the boundaries of narrative and form. The Documentary Projects category, meanwhile, offered a sobering glimpse into societal fractures. German photographer Toby Binder’s series Divided Youth of Belfast highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by a community still grappling with its divided past. Binder’s images offered an unflinching portrayal of resilience amidst discord, echoing themes of unity and division found across the competition.

Environmental themes played a prominent role in this year’s awards, reflecting photography’s growing importance in the climate crisis dialogue. Nicolás Garrido Huguet from Peru won the Environment category for his series Alquimia Textil, which merges traditional crafts with ecological awareness. This poignant series underscores the potential of heritage techniques in addressing modern environmental challenges. In the Landscape category, Japanese photographer Seido Kino’s The Strata of Time provided a contemplative look at geological transformations, exploring the intersection of natural beauty and temporal erosion.

Photography’s power to evoke emotion and curiosity was further nurtured in the special recognitions of the competition. Morocco-based French photographer Olivier Unia, the Open Photographer of the Year, was honoured for his striking single image, Tbourida La Chute, that captured the drama of a traditional Moroccan equestrian performance. The Student Photographer of the Year, Micaela Valdivia Medina from Peru, impressed with her project The Last Day We Saw the Mountains and the Sea. A student of professional photography at the Instituto Professional ARCOS, her work sensitively documented the lives of incarcerated women in Chile, offering a poignant exploration of resilience and familial bonds. In the Youth category, Daniel Dian-Ji Wu, a 16-year-old photographer and filmmaker from Taiwan, captivated judges with his dynamic image of a skateboarder silhouetted against sunset on a beach in Venice. His work exemplifies the unrestrained creativity of young talent, offering a hopeful glimpse into the future of photography.

The Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award was presented to Susan Meiselas - a New York-based documentary photographer celebrated for her five-decade-long career redefining visual storytelling. Known for her collaborative approach and dedication to underrepresented narratives, Meiselas’ work captures pivotal historical events and deeply personal stories, making her an influential voice in contemporary photography. She is the author of notable books such as Carnival Strippers (1976), Nicaragua (1981), Kurdistan: In the Shadow of History (1997), among others. Renowned for her documentation of human rights issues in Latin America, her photographs are featured in major international collections.

The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 exhibition held at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 5 offers an expansive showcase of the power and diversity of photographic storytelling with over 300 carefully curated prints and a multitude of offerings on digital photography. A special presentation by Susan Meiselas forms a key part of the art exhibition with more than 60 images on view. These selections trace pivotal themes and narratives from her career, providing audiences with an intimate exploration of her work. Together, the event invites viewers to reflect on the evolving role of photography as a bridge between individuals, communities, and cultures.

As this year’s edition demonstrates photography’s ability to reflect and shape society, the competition not only honours individual achievements but also fosters a collective conversation about the stories that define our age. These images compel us to look closer, think deeper, and connect more meaningfully with the world around us.

The exhibition presenting all the winning photographs of The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 is on display at London's Somerset House until May 5, 2025.