Spotlight on 2026 Nikon Prize Winners and Walkley Award photography finalists

The Walkley Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2026 winners of the Nikon Photography Prizes, along with all the photographic category finalists for the 71st annual Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

The Walkley Awards for Excellence in photojournalism recognise the work of photographers across a range of genres, from news and sport to portraiture and photographic essays. These images let us reflect on the year in news, through the individual world views and skilled lenses of Australia’s best photographers.

The two Nikon Photography Prizes are not Walkley Awards, but accolades administered by the Walkley Foundation on behalf of Nikon.

You can find information about the Walkley Awards judging process here and the Terms and Conditions of the Awards here.

All Walkley Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on November 19.

2026 NIKON PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE WINNERS

WINNER: NIKON PHOTO OF THE YEAR

Edwina Pickles, The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Bondi Beach Terror Attack’

The Nikon Photo of the Year is chosen from all the images entered in the Walkley photographic categories. The biggest story of the year produced the most striking images of the year, but the judges were most struck by Edwina Pickles’ photograph of the aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Edwina’s powerful photo captures a chilling scene that encapsulates the horror of the biggest news event in Australia in 2026.

Pickles entered this single shot in News Photography as one she believed told the story alone.

“This image honors the dead without immortalizing the terrorists, and it powerfully captures the horror and despair of the first responders and eyewitnesses.”

Edwina Pickles is a staff photographer at The Sydney Morning Herald. She photographs across the newspaper, from breaking news to sport and features. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in photography from the University of Sydney. This image was also a 2026 World Press Photo Contest winner.

WINNER: NIKON PORTRAIT PRIZE

Steven Siewert, The Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Richard Scolyer’

Richard Scolyer: Upon diagnosis of aggressive glioblastoma brain cancer, Dr Richard Scolyer underwent world-first experimental treatments based on his own pioneering melanoma research. Photographer Steven Siewert says: “Dr Scolyer chose to live a public life as patient and researcher, embodying both hope and struggle, and pioneering endeavour. The scars he bears from multiple surgeries mark that intersection.” Siewert’s portrait was published in December 2025. Dr Scolyer died in July 2026.

The judges said: “Steven Siewert’s great strength as a photographer is zooming in to the essence of a person and bringing humanity to an image. Even if you don’t know the back story, the composition and particularly that pure, velvety black draws your eye into the subject. And it’s both beautiful and confronting: where his hair is shaved away, his scar. The subject’s eye shows him in deep thought. We’re used to seeing Richard Scolyer depicted as warm and optimistic. But he’s been facing his own mortality for so long and this is a rare glimpse of his vulnerability.”

Steven Siewert has told stories from behind the camera lens for more than three decades working for the Sydney Morning Herald. Steven is recipient of several national awards including three Nikon-Walkley Portrait Prizes and the 2008 Walkley for Photographic Essay.

71st Walkley Awards photography finalists

SPORT PHOTOGRAPHY

Finalist: Michael Klein, Herald Sun / News Corp Australia, ‘Folio of Work’

In torrential rain Hawthorn and Carlton battled it out at the MCG.

Finalist: Marina Neil, Newcastle Herald, ‘Surging Sergis Soars’

Surging Sergis Soars: Game One, 2026 Women’s State of Origin, Newcastle. NSW Blues’ Jessica Sergis leaps over Queensland’s Julia Robinson in an attempt to regain possession and score after a fifth-tackle kick from NSW halfback Jesse Southwell spills loose in the in-goal. NSW’s Jamie Chapman and Queensland’s Rory Owen watch the contest.

Finalist: Quinn Rooney, Getty Images, ‘The Beauty of Sport’

Race Reflection: Competitors take off the blocks at the start of the Women’s 50m Freestyle Semi-Final 2 on day five of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre.