Without the sea ice, the mother bear cannot hunt to feed her hungry cubs.
All they can do is sleep to conserve their energy.
TheSony World Photography Awardshas revealed the finalists and shortlisted photographers in its esteemed 2025 Professional competition.
“Cuddling” © Kevin Shi, United States, Finalist, Professional competition, Wildlife & NatureA female bear and her two cubs, napping on a snow hill. Without the sea ice, the mother bear cannot hunt to feed her hungry cubs. All they can do is sleep to conserve their energy.
This year was no different.
The categories launch the gamut of photography, featuring everything from wildlife to sports to architecture.
Thanks to the wide-ranging themes, were treated to a variety of images.
“Trophies in the Pool House” © Alice Poyzer, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Professional competition, CreativeThis self-portrait shows taxidermy ‘trophies' in an old pool house in Somerset, England, whilst simultaneously referencing the chaotic mindset the photographer often has.
The award will include a winner and a shortlist of series by Japanese photographers.
Ten category winners will be chosen in a special ceremony in London on April 16, 2025.
There, the title Photographer of the Year will also be awarded.
“Untitled” © Cristóbal Olivares, Chile, Finalist, Professional competition, EnvironmentThe Cerro Tololo Observatory in Vicuña, Chile.
Scroll down to see some of the incredible finalist entries of the Sony World Photography Awards 2025.
Then, view more of the selected images on theSony World Photography Awards website.
Untitled Cristobal Olivares, Chile, Finalist, Professional competition, EnvironmentThe Cerro Tololo Observatory in Vicuna, Chile.
“Rodeo Intermission” © Alex Bex, France, Finalist, Professional competition, Documentary Projects, 2025 Sony World Photography AwardsMerrick (15) recently broke his collarbone while riding a bull at a rodeo. Allen (20) helps him bandage the injury before Merrick rides again — his first time back, despite his family’s warnings to wait until he’s fully healed. While highly competitive, rodeos foster a strong community, with riders helping and looking out for each other.
While highly competitive, rodeos foster a strong community, with riders helping and looking out for each other.
Originally held on 31 December, this celebration became one of Brazils largest cultural celebrations.
However, due to prejudice, Afro-Brazilian religions were forced to change the date of the celebration.
“Washing Fibres” © Nicolás Garrido Huguet, Peru, Finalist, Professional competition, EnvironmentDionisia, Nilda, and Braulia washing the recently dyed fibers in the lake. A unique aspect of natural dyes is their harmony with the ecosystem; chemical dyes would release toxic substances into the lake, but natural dyes integrate seamlessly with the environment, preserving its balance.
In this divided community, crossfire is a daily threat.
Hesitation Irina Shkoda, Ukraine, Finalist, Professional competition, Creative.A whisper left hanging in the air.
Ten category winners will be chosen in a special ceremony in London on April 16, 2025.
“Untitled” © Antonio López Díaz, Spain, Finalist, Professional competition, SportAchta practices a gymnastics pose at the school in Toukra, on the outskirts of N’Djamena, Chad.
The Photographer of the Year will also be awarded at that time.
There, the Foundation has cages for the rehabilitation and release of margays like Pumira.
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“Untitled” © Lalo de Almeida, Brazil, Finalist, Professional competition, LandscapeA large firebreak advances over the Pantanal in the Miranda region. The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on the planet, but it has been facing a historic drought due to human actions and climate change.
Untitled” Alessandro Gandolfi, Italy, Finalist, Professional competition, Still LifeBarnacle encrustations on plastic gloves on display at the Vadehavscentret (Wadden Sea Centre). Here you can explore the multitude of life forms in this unique habitat, from migratory birds and seals to the algae and microorganisms that can be found in the mud flats.
“Yemanjá’s Celebration” © Gui Christ, Brazil, Finalist, Professional competition, PortraitureAfro-Brazilian religious practitioners during the Yemanjá festival. Originally held on 31 December, this celebration became one of Brazil’s largest cultural celebrations. However, due to prejudice, Afro-Brazilian religions were forced to change the date of the celebration. In many tourist sites, their rituals were seen as inconvenient by those who gathered on the beaches to celebrate the New Year, leading to resistance from local authorities and other groups.
“Former Armstrong Rubber Building” © Owen Davies, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional competition, Architecture & DesignNew Haven, Connecticut.
“The Bus Stop” © Laura Pannack, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional competition, PerspectivesProject Hope is a youth center that offers young people a safe place to unite. In this divided community, crossfire is a daily threat. Since the photographer’s visit many young people have died or been shot, including one seven-year-old girl who had gone to the shop after school to buy sweets.
“Martha and Teresa” © Michael Dunn, Bolivia, Finalist, Professional competition, SportTeresa and Martha pose with their golf clubs at the famous ‘Moon Hole,’ one of the most iconic holes at La Paz Golf Club.
“Hesitation” © Irina Shkoda, Ukraine, Finalist, Professional competition, Creative.A whisper left hanging in the air.
“The Anthropocene Illusion” © Zed Nelson, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional competition, Wildlife & NatureThe painted backdrop of this chimpanzee enclosure at Shanghai Wild Animal Park in China is impressive in its artistry, but serves to provide a comforting illusion only to human observers. In their natural habitat in the forests of Central Africa, chimpanzees spend most of their days in the treetops. Being one of the most socially complex species among all non-human primates, chimpanzees in the wild live in societies ranging in size between 20 and 150 individuals.
“Matthias Church” © Márton Mogyorósy, Hungary, Shortlist, Professional competition, Architecture & DesignArchitects: Frigyes Schulek, Samu Pecz. Renovation: 1873–1896
“The Waiting” © Maria Portaluppi, Ecuador, Finalist, Professional competition, EnvironmentPumira was rescued as a baby and now waits in a cage to be transferred to the rehabilitation center. There, the Foundation has cages for the rehabilitation and release of margays like Pumira.
“Midnight Factory Light Parade” © Miku Yokoyama, Japan, Shortlist, Japan Professional AwardMarch 2021 in Mizushima City, Okayama Prefecture.
