UK photographer Vanessa Winship has stormed to victory in the Sony World Photography Awards, bagging a $25,000 cash prize.

Vanessa was named the overall winner of the award?s professional category at a ceremony held in Cannes, France.

She beat thousands of entries worldwide, receiving the Photographer of the Year title from legend Elliott Erwitt, one of the judges.

Earlier this month Arup Ghosh from India was named the amateur winner.

Picture credit: Vanessa Winship, courtesy of Sony World Photography AwardsVanessa Winship