Judges

2024 Judges - take the stage.

Led by founding MPA judge, the renowned British photographer, publisher and film director Rankin (Madonna, Bjork, Miley Cyrus) the panel is: US photographer, Raven B Varona (Adele), photographer and videographer Pooneh Ghana (Olivia Rodrigo, Beck, and The Strokes), photographers Ashley Verse (Stormzy, Tom Grennan) and Sam Rockman (Limp Bizkit), Vanity Fair’s editor of Creative Development David Friend, Abbey Road’s first ever ‘Artist In Residence’ Jordan Rakei, Gossip frontwoman and fashion icon Beth Ditto, Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson, Mercury nominated jazz musician Moses Boyd, artist and drag queen Bimini and Decca Records Director of A&R Rachel Holmberg.

Rankin

Special Guest Judge: Nile Rodgers

Djo

Scarlet Page

Eric Burton

Janette Beckman

Tom Pallant

Dimitri From Paris

Bolade Banjo

Shot By Nee

Julia Cumming

Guest Category Judge: Simon Wheatley

The judging process will comprise of two stages. First, our Submission Panel that is once again led by Rolling Stone Photo Editor Sacha Lecca, alongside photographers Charlotte Patmore (i-D & CRACK), Katy Cummings (ELLE UK & NME), Phoebe Fox (Blur & Fontaines DC), Rachel Holmberg (Director of A&R, Decca) and Anthony Pham the winner of Undiscovered Photographer Of The Year award at the 2023 MPAs will review every single entry and create a shortlist to be presented to the Judging Panel.

Our judging panel, helmed by photographer, publisher and director Rankin, together with Raven B Varona, Pooneh Ghana, Ashley Verse, Sam Rockman, David Friend, Jordan Rakei, Beth Ditto, Jason Williamson, Moses Boyd and Bimini will review the shortlisted entries and award the defining photograph of each category.

Shortlisting Panel

Sacha Lecca

Sacha Lecca is a photographer and a photo editor. He is currently the Deputy Photo Editor at Rolling Stone magazine.

Jennifer McCord

Todd Owyoung

Yasi

CJ Harvey

CJ’s photos offer fans a thoughtful glimpse behind the curtain into the lives of their favourite musicians.