Created to celebrate the previous year’s unforgettable, unique and unsung music images, this annual, global competition will shine a light on the creatives behind the lens – whether established, emerging or undiscovered. Winners will be chosen by a panel helmed by photographer, publisher and director Rankin, together with Cat Burns, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Vicky Grout, Cat Burns, Karen Binns, Eric Johnson, Matthew Josephs, Nakyung Han and Mae Muller.

How to Enter

1. Enter Now and Select your Category

2. Upload your Photos

3. Tell Us about the Photos and the Photographer Behind the Lens

4. Submit

Prizes

All winners of the Music Photography Awards will be presented with a MPAs trophy unique to their award. Other prizes include:

• Win a one-to-one mentorship session with Rankin. Rankin will choose a photographer to award a portfolio review session with Rankin and Agent, a portfolio review with creative from Rankin Creative agency and an opportunity to tour the studio and shadow Rankin on a Hunger magazine shoot
• Music Moment of the Year Award supported by Outernet London: A one-week takeover of the Pop Two space on the world-famous screens at Outernet, to showcase an exclusive exhibition in the heart of central London. As the new home for music, there will be additional opportunity to capture behind the scenes footage at prestigious music events taking place throughout the Outernet district to feature in the exhibition if they wish. The exhibition will launch in January 2024 and use of Outernet spaces will be subject to the winner signing Outernet’s standard terms and conditions
• Underground Scenes Award: A four week mentorship with Abbey Road Studios Photographer in Residence Simon Wheatley and the opportunity to photograph a recording session at Abbey Road Studios
• In the Studio Award supported by Philips Ambilight TV: An OLED+ 908 TV sound by Bowers & Wilkins 55”

Useful Information to Keep in Mind

It’s free to enter the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards competition. Simply register your email address and follow the on-screen guidance.

You must be over the age of 18 to enter the Music Photography Awards.

For five of the categories (Undiscovered Photographer of the Year, Music Moment of the Year, Underground Scenes, Live Music and In the Studio) all photos submitted must be taken in 2022.

The Hip-Hop 50 category is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and serves as a vibrant homage to 50 years of photography. In celebration the MPAs will be accepting images from the last 50 years (1st January 1973 – 31st December 2022).

For each submission, you'll need to submit between three to five images depending on the category you choose to enter. For the Undiscovered Photographer of the Year you'll need to submit five images to showcase your work as a photographer. Your entry will be judged on all five images. For the Music Moment of the Year you'll need to submit three photographs. For all other categories, you'll need to submit a minimum of three and maximum of five photographs. Any image you submit may be considered for the category shortlist.

Closing date for entries is 18 July 2023.

You can only enter once per category; however, you can submit the same photo in multiple categories. If you submit an entry into an incorrect category, it cannot be amended or altered after submission.

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