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All the best travel photos from the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 shortlist

From adorable snaps of wildlife to mesmerising images of our planet’s landscape, here are our favourite entries from the professional competition

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Travel Writer
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Benjamin Pawlica / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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On April 16, all the winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced at a glitzy ceremony in London, but there’s no harm in taking a sneak peek at those in contention for a prize, is there? 

After the shortlist of images from the Student and Youth categories were unveiled in January, the awards body has now released all the entries from the professional competition competing for the grand prizes – including the coveted title of Photographer of the Year – and we’ve combed through to find our favourite travel snaps. Scroll on to have a look. 

2026 Sony World Photography Awards.
Photograph: © Vanta Coda III, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Sony World Photography 2026
Photograph: © Megumi Murakami, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: © Robby Ogilvie, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
2026 Sony World Photography Awards.
Photograph: © Rob Van Thienen, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
2026 Sony World Photography Awards.
Photograph: © Siavosh Ejlali, Iran, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Marcus Westberg / Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Sony World Photography Awards 2026
Photograph: Michael Blann / Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Oh, and if you’re keen to get a closer look at the winners, they’ll all be on display at the exhibition in London’s Somerset House, from April 17 to May 4 2026. 

We’re giving away 100 tickets to the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition 2026 to London Time Out subscribers. Find out more here.

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