LONDON, 17 MARCH 2026 – The Sony World Photography Awards announce today the inaugural winner and shortlisted photographers of the European Student Award, a new initiative in the 2026 Awards.

Set up by Sony Europe and Creo under its photography strand, the World Photography Organisation, the European Student Award recognises outstanding student projects, spotlighting the best emerging voices from across Europe. The Award was established to collaborate with leading universities across the region, offering their students the best platform for starting a career in photography at this formative stage. The winning and shortlisted series for 2026 exemplify the inspiring work and unique perspectives of student photographers working today, capturing stories of connection, togetherness and identity.

Teresa Halbreiter (Germany, University of Applied Sciences Hamburg) is the winner of the European Student Award 2026. Halbreiter is recognised for her series Stillgestanden (‘Attention!’), which explores the search for femininity and individuality in the male-dominated institution of the German Armed Forces. This project underlines the tension between obedience and self-assertion, between toughness and vulnerability, drawing out the need to be part of a group, as well as the quiet desire to be seen as an individual.

Commenting on her win, Teresa Halbreiter says: “I was shocked and couldn’t quite believe that my work was selected as winner of the European Student Award. I know so many amazing photographers studying photography in Germany – and to be selected for an international competition of this scale feels great and very rewarding.”

Commenting on the series, the judges say: “By placing women at the centre of an institution built on masculine archetypes, Stillgestanden (‘Attention!’) interrogates the idea of identity and belonging. The series intelligently explores how femininity can persist and adapt within wider structures, what we give to be part of something larger than ourselves, and what remains when we step away from it.”

The shortlist for the European Student Award are:

The winner and shortlisted photographers receive a variety of prizes, including travel to London for a day of tailored workshops with industry experts, an invitation to the Awards ceremony, a special showcase of their work at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at London’s Somerset House, and a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

The overall winners in the Student, Youth, Open and Professional competitions of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced on 16 April and will go on display as part of the exhibition at Somerset House, London (17 April - 4 May 2026). For more information about upcoming announcements and winners please visit worldphoto.org.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For press inquiries, please contact: sonypress@wcommunications.co.uk

A selection of press images is available to download on press.creoarts.com.

SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Produced by Creo under its photography strand the World Photography Organisation, the internationally acclaimed Sony World Photography Awards are one of the most important fixtures in the global photographic calendar. Now in its 19th year, the free-to-enter Awards are a global voice for photography and provide a vital insight into contemporary photography today. For both established and emerging artists, the Awards offer world-class opportunities for exposure of their work. The Awards additionally recognise the world’s most influential artists working in the medium through the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award; the acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz is the 2026 recipient of this award, joining a distinguished list of iconic names including William Eggleston (2013), Mary Ellen Mark (2014), Martin Parr (2017), Graciela Iturbide (2021), Edward Burtynsky (2022), Sebastião Salgado (2024) and Susan Meiselas (2025). The Awards showcase the works of winning and shortlisted photographers at a prestigious annual exhibition at Somerset House, London. worldphoto.org/exhibition

WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY ORGANISATION

World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of photographic culture. Its programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work. The Sony World Photography Awards is the World Photography Organisation’s principal programme. Established in 2007, it is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious photography competitions; celebrating the work of leading and emerging practitioners and attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to its exhibitions worldwide. World Photography Organisation is the photography strand of Creo, which initiates events and programming across three sectors: photography, film and contemporary art. worldphoto.org

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Creo initiates and organises events and programming across three key strands: photography, film and contemporary art. Established in 2007 as World Photography Organisation, Creo has since grown in scope, furthering its mission of developing meaningful opportunities for creatives and expanding the reach of its cultural activities. Today, its flagship projects include the Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, PHOTOFAIRS and Photo London. Working in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts (AMA), Creo helps deliver the group’s ventures, comprising some of the world’s leading art fairs. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘I create’, it is in this spirit that Creo sets out to empower and give agency to creative voices. creoarts.com

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