The Series competition is part of the Sony World Photography Awards and is run by the World Photography Organisation. It recognises cohesive projects of 5–10 images across ten categories, with judging based on the submitted portfolio. Entry is completed online, and photographers may submit one different series in each category.
The overall winner becomes Photographer of the Year, while finalists and shortlisted photographers receive exhibition, publication and promotion opportunities. The 2027 cycle is open worldwide to photographers over 18 and closes on 12 January 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Entry is free.
- The overall winner receives $25,000 USD, Sony Digital Imaging equipment, flights and accommodation for the London awards ceremony, a career-development day, a trophy and certificate, book and exhibition inclusion, international promotion, and a solo display at the following year’s London exhibition.
- Each category winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, flights and accommodation for the London ceremony, a career-development day, a trophy and certificate, book and exhibition inclusion, and international promotion.
- Second- and third-place photographers receive certificates, book and exhibition inclusion, and international promotion; shortlisted photographers receive exhibition inclusion and international promotion.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be over 18; there is no nationality, residency, degree or career-stage restriction.
- Submit 5–10 images in a category with a series description; applicants may enter multiple categories but cannot reuse the same series or images.
- Published work may have been created at any time but must have been published from 1 January 2026 to 12 January 2027, apart from the permitted 20% previously shared on personal platforms.
- Unpublished work may have been created at any time but must never have been shown publicly.
- Files must be 1–5 MB JPEGs in sRGB with EXIF data retained, and shortlisted applicants must be able to supply print-ready high-resolution files.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
≥ 19 yrs
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Application process
- 1Register or sign in on the official World Photography Organisation competition entry platform.
- 2Select the Series competition and a category, then upload 5–10 images and the required series description.
- 3Confirm that the project meets the publication-status, permissions and technical rules, and disclose any manipulation or archival material.
- 4Submit online by 12 January 2027; submitted images cannot be changed afterward.
Program timeline
Entries open.
Jun 1, 2026
Application deadline.
Jan 12, 2027
Entries are judged.
Jan 13, 2027 to Jan 31, 2027
Finalists and shortlisted photographers are notified by email.
January 2027
Finalists and shortlists are announced.
Before April 2027
Category winners and the overall winner are announced.
April 2027