Landscape Winner: “Shapes and Patterns of the Desert” by J Fritz Rumpf, United States
American photographers made a powerful impression at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards, with work ranging from West Virginia’s quiet roads to Namibia’s blazing deserts.
Across professional, open, and documentary categories, U.S. artists delivered stories that felt intimate yet universally resonant. Their images—whether capturing Appalachian life with cinematic depth or documenting conservation efforts abroad—showcased remarkable range and emotional clarity. What set this year apart was the raw honesty of the work, with both winners and shortlisted photographers offering visuals that were unvarnished, bold, and deeply human. Ultimately, the 2026 awards highlighted American storytellers who invite viewers to slow down, look closer, and feel the world with greater intention.
More: Sony World Photography Awards, Instagram
Lifestyle Winner: “Charlotte and Dolly” by Vanta Coda III, United States
Motion Winner: “Sailboat” by Franklin Littlefield, United States
Architecture Shortlist: “Desert Rose: The National Museum of Qatar” by MD Tanveer Hassan Rohan, United States
Architecture Shortlist: “The Bridge” by Catherine Wang, United States
Architecture Shortlist: “Air Control” by Utshaho Gupta, United States
Creative Shortlist: “Moving Electric” by Cameron Wilcox, United States
Landscape Shortlist: “What Lurks Beneath” by Jim Guerard, United States
Landscape Shortlist: “Symphony of Wings” by Jassen Todorov, United States
Landscape Shortlist: “Reflections at Buttermere” by Dimitry Papkov, United States
Landscape Shortlist: “Opening the Vortex” by Lisa K. Kuhn, United States
Motion Shortlist: “A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket blasts across the sun” by John Winkopp
Wildlife Shortlist: “Power Bite” by Kevin Shi, United States
Object Shortlist: “Still Life Study” by Glen Serbin, United States
Object Shortlist: “Natural” by David Hoekje, United States
Street Photography Shortlist: “Revolution in High Heels” by France Leclerc, United States
Travel Shortlist: “Mount Fuji at Yamanakako Lake” by Megan Tavarez, United States
Travel Shortlist: “Driving Across the Sky at Salar de Uyuni” by John Edwards, United States
Travel Shortlist: “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride” by Sawyer Alcázar-Hagen, United States