World Sports Photography Awards 2026: Canon Emerging Talent winners

From unforgettable victories on the world's biggest stages to individual feats of brilliance, Canon has helped sports photographers capture the moments that fans remember forever.

Through its partnership with the World Sports Photography Awards , Canon continues to champion the skill and storytelling at the heart of sports photography , while recognising new voices with the Canon Emerging Talent Award – introduced for 2026.

Showcasing work from the next generation of sports photographers, the Canon Emerging Talent Award was launched to shine a spotlight on upcoming talent under the age of 30, with a panel of judges assessing portfolios of images submitted to the awards. The newly launched event attracted more than 1,700 entrants.

Tom Weller's bold set of winter sports and basketball images saw him win gold, with several photographers receiving Special Merit for their skill, creativity and passion in capturing the drama and beauty of sport.

Here, we speak to three of the photographers awarded Special Merit to discover how they're embracing new technology and redefining how sport is photographed.

What does recognition in the World Sports Photography Awards mean to you?

It has given me more belief in my own ability but also motivated me to keep pushing myself. I'm always looking at how I can improve, how I can shoot the same race completely differently, and how I can continue developing my style. To have that recognised through the Canon Emerging Talent Award means a lot.

How has shooting with Canon equipment shaped your creative approach?

It has definitely influenced the way I approach motorsport photography, particularly with panning shots. The subject detection and tracking functions make it much easier to follow the car through the viewfinder, especially when working at slower shutter speeds. I also rely on the stabilisation and panning assist features, which help give me the confidence to experiment more. In a sport like Formula 1, where the cars are moving so quickly, having equipment that can keep up allows me to focus more on the creative side – composition, movement, light and timing – rather than just the technical challenge of getting the shot sharp. It has pushed me to take more risks creatively, especially with motion blur and slower shutter speeds.

What advice would you give to photographers looking to break into sports photography?

My advice would be to really know your equipment. The better you understand what your camera is capable of, the more freedom you have to be creative in fast-moving situations. In sports, moments happen so quickly, so being confident with your gear allows you to react instinctively rather than thinking too much about settings.

Gymnastics is built on focus, precision and split-second timing. Capturing it well means understanding the flow of a gymnast's movements and how routines unfold, allowing you to anticipate decisive moments before they happen. Photographer Ashley Ray's background in gymnastics gives her an edge. "Competing for eight years growing up, I gained an extensive knowledge of the sport," she says.

"Before the season starts, I do research into the routines the gymnasts will be doing. Understanding the sport and planning ahead have allowed me to anticipate the perfect frame and try new creative shots."

Ashley says she values staying creative in a sport that is repetitive in nature. To add variety to her portfolio, she planned different vantage points and "changed lenses every meet". Her favourite way to give viewers a new perspective, however, was to shoot the gymnastics meet from the catwalk to get a high angle.

She says she wants her gymnastics portfolio to showcase both the beauty and the strength of the sport. "My hope is that through my photos people can appreciate the sport of gymnastics and become fans."

What does recognition in the World Sports Photography Awards mean to you?

It is an honour. While I have been doing photography for a while, I am still young in my professional career. Receiving an award of this calibre inspires me to keep creating and continue to take risks to get creative shots. In my current role, I am in charge of a team of student photography interns. I hope this award can show them what hard work can do, and I am excited for both the connections and doors that will be opened from receiving it.

How has shooting with Canon equipment shaped your creative approach?

Shooting with Canon has shaped my creativity in many ways. When I first started photography in high school, I used Canon gear and it was great for perfecting my technical skills. Continuing my career working in college athletics, I value the ease of live sending photos and the wide range of lenses that Canon provides.

What advice would you give to photographers looking to break into sports photography?

Take advantage of every opportunity. No matter the magnitude of the event, you can create meaningful images. Stay humble and learn from others around you.

Harry Talbot makes a conscious effort to find new ways to cover the professional cycling season. "I do a significant amount of research, spending a long time looking on Google Maps and Google Earth, or physically reconnoitring a lot of different locations or bike races," he says. "Logistically it's a very difficult sport to cover, so to create fresh angles you really have to put that work in."

Being a fan of cycling helps Harry identify the pivotal points in a race that may last hours, days or weeks. "For over ten years now I've actively followed and enjoyed the sport, so I know all the riders, I know how a race unfolds, where the important and significant moments are likely to happen – and you can use that knowledge and apply it to how you shoot.

"I already have a good idea of the moments that are likely to define a race, and I'm sure that's applicable to most photographers and most sports. You need a very solid understanding of what you're photographing."

Harry's knowledge of cycling and drive to do something different are reflected in his portfolio. "I wanted to show that my work is different to more traditional sports photography. It's always nice to put your photos in front of people, and the World Sports Photography Awards is another opportunity to do that."

What does recognition in the World Sports Photography Awards mean to you?

It's very humbling. Being recognised in the Canon Emerging Talent Award is a form of validation that I've maybe already felt for a little while, but to be recognised by others – especially established and esteemed professionals in the industry – means a lot.

What advice would you give to photographers looking to break into sports photography?

Choose a sport that interests you. Honestly, as glamorous as you might think it is, it is a hard job to do. So, being a fan of the sport helps. And I think you just have to start – that's the most important thing. Show up and start doing it. No one is going to hire you or give you a chance without a portfolio already, so you have to create that. It's going to be super difficult because you probably won't have media accreditation, but just start, and maybe find someone that's happy to offer access in exchange for photos. You also have to be a good person – you have to network, you have to meet people, you have to be easy to work with.