Photography is a powerful communication medium for self-expression. Beyond capturing a moment in time, photography provides an exclusive realm for nurturing creativity, imagination and a keen sense of artistic style. In any art form, renewal is important in its progress and development. This is especially so for photography in Singapore which is steadily becoming a mainstream art form. The injection of young blood to the local photographic community will add much vibrancy to the scene.

The inaugural Singapore Young Photographer Award (SYPA) was held in 2006 as an extension of To Singapore with Love, a photo tribute in commemoration of Singapore's 40th birthday.

Presented by City Developments Limited, SYPA aims to promote the art of photography as a hobby amongst young Singaporeans, while at the same time recognise and nurture budding photographic talents. For SYPA 2012, the awards have expanded to include two additional categories, the "Young Nature Photographer" Award and the "Themed Body of Work" Award. The "Young Nature Photographer" Award is organised in conjuction with National Parks' Board's "City in a Garden" Photography Competition.