Photography exhibitions and galleries in London

The Photographers' Gallery always packs a punch. Previous exhibitors include Juergen Teller, Martin Parr and Faye Goodwin. It's Britain's leading centre for contemporary and historical photography, and also founded the annual Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize, one of the most coveted awards in the art world.

Where: Soho (16-18 Ramillies Street, W1F 7LW)

Having acquired photographs from as far back as 1852, the V&A photography collection is one of the largest and most important in the world, with more than 800,000 images by both classic and contemporary photographers. It's housed within the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the top museums for art and design on the planet.

Where: South Kensington (Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL)

Perched elegantly on a Marylebone street corner, Atlas Gallery is one of the capital's leading galleries for photography. The gallery specialises in classic and modern 20th-century vintage photography, photojournalism and fashion, and hosts around six exhibitions every year.

Where: Marylebone (49 Dorset Street, W1U 7NF)

In its former guise as Beetles+Huxley, this Mayfair gallery focused solely on photography in all its facets, from established masters to cutting-edge contemporary artists. Today, as Huxley-Parlour, the gallery showcases other mediums, but contemporary and modern photography remain at its heart.

Where: Mayfair (3-5 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE and 45 Maddox Street, W1S 2PE)

Based in New Cross, south-east London, MMX Gallery showcases works both by established and emerging talents, as well as giving new life to archived works. Its roster champions British and international photographers who use freedom of expression in their works.

Where: New Cross (448 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY)

Equally as stylish as its neighbour The Connaught Hotel, Hamiltons Gallery specialises in international photographers, representing sought-after masters such as Irving Penn and Helmut Newton. But local heroes, such as London-born war photographer Sir Don McCullin, are also put under the spotlight.

Where: Mayfair (13 Carlos Place, W1K 2EU)

Find the latest contemporary photographers at Wren Gallery. Opened in 2018, this intimate gallery brings east London’s cutting-edge arts and design scene into focus, hosting works by a range of artists whose work revolves around themes and specific projects.

Where: Islington (39 Featherstone Street, EC1Y 8RE)

A major presence in the international photography community, Chelsea's Michael Hoppen Gallery displays vintage and contemporary black and white photography. The aim? To emphasise the importance of photography in contemporary art today. Exhibitions feature both established and emerging artists.

Where: North Kensington (UNIT 10, Pall Mall Deposit, 124-128 Barlby Road, W10 6BL)

This trendy Brixton gallery is a photography geek's heaven. The rotating Photofusion Gallery's collections are open to the public, and showcase emerging and eclectic talent. There are also darkrooms, a studio and a range of classes available for budding photographers.

Where: Brixton (27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ)