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Winning and shortlisted student photographs from 2026 Sony World Photography Awards.
Winning and shortlisted student photographs from 2026 Sony World Photography Awards. Copyright  Copyright Various authors, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Copyright Copyright Various authors, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Copyright Copyright Various authors, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.

Students today, masters tomorrow: Sony World Photography Awards celebrate young talent across Europe

By Anushka Roy
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Photographs from young talent submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards navigate themes like femininity and individuality, the aftermath of environmental disasters, and friendship.

From students today to masters tomorrow.

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The 2026 Sony World Photography Awards have revealed the winners of the new European Student Award, a new category to celebrate the finest young talent across Europe.

This year's inaugural prize has been awarded to Teresa Halbreiter from the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Germany.

Halbreiter’s winning series Stillgestanden (Attention!) explores femininity and individuality in the male-dominated German Armed Forces.

Photographs from winner Teresa Halbreiter's 'Stillgestanden' series.
Photographs from winner Teresa Halbreiter's 'Stillgestanden' series. Teresa Halbreiter, Germany, Winner, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026

The striking photographs occupy the space between tenderness and toughness, capturing complex identities in conversation with the institutions they exist in.

The four other students shortlisted for the prize explored a range of themes, including the aftermath of environmental disasters and friendship.

Photograph by shortlisted student Albert Słowiński from Academy of Art in Szczecin, Poland.
Photograph by shortlisted student Albert Słowiński from Academy of Art in Szczecin, Poland. Albert Słowiński, Poland, Shortlist, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Photograph by shortlisted student Albert Słowiński from Academy of Art in Szczecin, Poland.
Photograph by shortlisted student Albert Słowiński from Academy of Art in Szczecin, Poland. Albert Słowiński, Poland, Shortlist, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Photograph by shortlisted student Laura Anna Rossa from LUCA School of Arts Sint Lukas Brussels, Belgium.
Photograph by shortlisted student Laura Anna Rossa from LUCA School of Arts Sint Lukas Brussels, Belgium. Laura Anna Rossa, Belgium, Shortlist, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Photograph by shortlisted student Laurie Broughton from the University of West England, UK.
Photograph by shortlisted student Laurie Broughton from the University of West England, UK. Laurie Broughton, United Kingdom, Shortlist, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.
Photographs by shortlisted student Bennet Böckstiegel from Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie, Germany.
Photographs by shortlisted student Bennet Böckstiegel from Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie, Germany. Bennet Böckstiegel, Germany, Shortlist, European Student Award, Sony World Photography Awards 2026.

The winning works are on display as part of the exhibition at Somerset House, London from 17 April to 4 May, 2026.

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