The Sony World Photography Awards has named Citlali Fabián as its Photographer of the Year 2026, awarding her the top prize of $25,000 for her series Bilha, Stories of My Sisters.
Now in its 19th edition, the prestigious global competition received around 430,000 entries from more than 200 countries and territories, underlining its status as one of the world’s largest photography contests. The overall winner was selected from 10 Professional category champions, each of whom also receives Sony digital imaging equipment.
Fabián, who hails from the Yalateca Indigenous community in Mexico and is currently based in London, uses her work to explore identity, territory, migration and community bonds. Alongside the cash award, she also receives Sony camera equipment and a solo showcase at the 2027 Sony World Photography Awards exhibition.
“Citlali Fabián is an artist from the Yalateca Indigenous community in Mexico, but is currently based in London. Fabian uses photography to explore themes of identity alongside territory, migration and community bonds.”
“As well as winning the title, Fabian received $25,000 in cash, plus a range of Sony camera equipment, as well as the opportunity to display a solo showcase at the next Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in 2027.”
The winning series includes portraits of Indigenous women and intergenerational storytelling, highlighting climate activism, language preservation and cultural heritage.
Elsewhere in the competition, Australian photographer Elle Lontiev was named Open Photographer of the Year for The Barefoot Volcanologist, a striking portrait of self-taught scientist Philip standing barefoot on volcanic rock on Tanna Island, Vanuatu.
“The Open Photographer of the Year title is awarded to a photographer who submitted a single image to the Open competition, available to enter by any photographer, whether professional or amateur. The overall winner was selected from the 10 category winners.”
In the Student Photographer of the Year category, Bangladesh’s Jubair Ahmed Arnob was recognised for his series The Place Where I Used to Play, which reflects on environmental loss, urbanisation and resilience. The judging panel also awarded Sweden’s Philip Kangas Youth Photographer of the Year for Saving History from the Flames, documenting firefighters rescuing artworks during a blaze at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm.
The competition also honoured legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz with the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award, recognising his long-standing influence on the medium.
The Sony World Photography Awards exhibition is currently on display at Somerset House in London until 4 May, featuring more than 300 prints and hundreds of digital works.
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