André Tezza, from Curitiba, takes third place at the Latin America Professional Award 2026 with a series on neighborhood corner stores.
Brazilian photographer André Tezza, from Curitiba, claimed third place at the Latin America Professional Award 2026, one of the regional categories of the Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA) — widely regarded as one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world. Sony announced the results on Tuesday, March 17, in partnership with the World Photography Organisation.
Mercadinhos: finding beauty in overlooked spaces
The awarded series, titled Mercadinhos (Little Markets), documents small neighborhood stores on the outskirts of Curitiba. Through a tender and observant lens, Tezza captures the resilience of these local businesses against the expansion of large retail chains, celebrating the cultural and visual richness of peripheral communities and finding beauty in spaces that are often overlooked.
About the Sony World Photography Awards
The SWPA brings together photographers from around the world across four tracks: Professional, Open, Youth, and Student. The top prize — Photographer of the Year — comes with a US$ 25,000 award. Finalists and winners have their work exhibited at Somerset House in London, with the show traveling internationally afterward. The Latin America Professional Award is now in its seventh edition, recognizing the diversity and talent of the region.
Brazil’s growing presence at the SWPA
This is not the first time Brazil has stood out at the competition. In 2025, Rio de Janeiro photographer Gui Christ was named the best in the Portraits category with his series M’kumba, a project that confronts religious racism by documenting Afro-Brazilian religious traditions. Christ currently represents Sony Brazil as one of the brand’s Alpha Partners.
The other Latin American winners
First place went to Mexican photographer Citlali Fabián for her series Bilha, Historias de mis Hermanas (Bilha, Stories of My Sisters). The project blends portraits and digital illustrations to bring to life the stories of inspiring women in southern Mexico, created in collaboration with activists and artists from communities across the region.
Second place was awarded to Ecuadorian photographer María Fernanda García for Estudio sobre el vuelo (Study on Flight). The series explores a child’s fascination with birds through the lens of Andean cosmovision, in which birds are considered spiritual messengers between the human world and the higher realm.
As part of his prize, André Tezza will receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a trip to London for the official awards ceremony, along with opportunities to showcase his work internationally.
What’s coming next
Winners across the Student, Youth, Open, and Professional categories of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced on April 16. Selected works will be exhibited at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.
Photo: Press Release
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