Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2026 - New York Launch
On the 25 May 2026, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards Festival lands in NYC.
As part of this year’s launch of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards, we’ll bring together photographers, artists and creatives to celebrate the art of music photography and the photographers behind the lens. Where better to celebrate the visual language, raw emotion, and jaw dropping moments only music can offer, than NYC?
Between Monday 25 and Saturday the 30 May, the festival will explore image making at the intersection of music, culture and visual storytelling, with a packed programme celebrating established music photographers, alongside emerging & undiscovered talent. Across the week we’ll be supporting the community with tools, inspiration & knowledge to fuel their craft. From conversations and practical workshops to panel talks and immersive experiences, the festival brings together a range of diverse and participatory activities.
The programming includes professional development opportunities, including mentoring, portfolio reviews and masterclasses designed to support the next generation of music photographers.
The festival is part of the Abbey Road Music Photography Accelerator and launch of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2026 – our annual competition. Positioned within the legacy of Abbey Road it reflects a broader commitment to preserving and evolving music culture through visual media and connecting artists, photographers, and audiences in various locations across the world.
RSVP Events
Tuesday 26 May
| Time | Event | Venue | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00am - 12:00pm |
How to get started in music photography with Todd Owyoung Join world renowned music photographer Todd Owyoung for a breakfast talk on breaking into music photography and building a career from the ground up. |
Chelsea Studios, 220 W 18th Street | RSVP |
Wednesday 27 May
| Time | Event | Venue | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00am - 12:00pm |
Documenting the Underground Subcultures: Photo Assignment Brief with A.F. Cortés A photographer briefing and Q&A session with filmmaker, photographer and creative director A.F. Cortes. |
Chelsea Studios, 220 W 18th Street | RSVP |
| 6:00pm - 8:00pm |
In conversation with Roberta Bailey & Mary Harron As we celebrate 50 years of punk, join us for a conversation with this year’s Abbey Road Music Photography Awards Icon winner, and punk legend, Roberta Bailey, and legendary filmmaker and screenwriter Mary Harron. |
Chelsea Studios, 220 W 18th Street | RSVP |
Thursday 28 May
| Time | Event | Venue | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00pm - 2:00pm |
In conversation with Jordan Curtis Hughes & a live recording of No Gatekeeper A talk with 2025 MPA winner Jordan Curtis Hughes exploring a retrospective of his work, process and career in music photography. Followed by a live recording of No Gatekeeper with special guest, Head of Social at I.D Magazine Robin Kelly. |
Chelsea Studios, 220 W 18th Street | RSVP |
| Doors 6:30pm; conversation 7:30pm - 9:00pm |
In Conversation: Sophie Elgort & Nile Rodgers A special fireside chat between photographer Sophie Elgort and music legend Nile Rodgers. |
Chelsea Studios, 220 W 18th Street | RSVP |
Friday 29 May
| Time | Event | Venue | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00am - 2:00pm |
MPA Pop-Up at Rolling Stone hosted by Sacha Lecca Talk 1: 11- 12.30pm: So you want to go on tour? With Aysia Marotta, and Lauren Tepfer from FIRST3. A discussion on getting into tour photography, creative management, collaboration and working with other photographers on the road. Talk 2: 1 - 2pm: In The Moment, For The Record: Creating Images That Last with Rich Fury. A conversation with photographer Rich Fury, exploring the art of music photography through unforgettable moments, iconic moments, and how the images we create come to define an era. |
Rolling Stone, 475 5th Avenue | RSVP NOW CLOSED |
| 4:00pm - 5:30pm |
The art of lighting the band: A hands on portrait workshop with Clay Patrick McBride. A hands-on portrait workshop led by 2022 MPA winner Clay Patrick McBride, giving 10 photographers the chance to learn from his own experience and expertise. |
Rolling Stone, 475 5th Avenue | RSVP NOW CLOSED |
Saturday 30 May
| Time | Event | Venue | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00pm - 8:00pm |
Setting the scene: Defining the moment on-stage and off In conversation, Setting the scene: Defining the moment on-stage and off, through music photography, portraiture, and everything in-between, with Pooneh Ghana and Jackie Lee Young. A panel talk followed by networking with photographer and TODO label co-founder Pooneh Ghana and internationally recognised visual artist Jackie Lee Young. Moderated by Abbey Road’s Jack Lintorn. |
Leica, Meatpacking District, 406 W 13th St, New York, NY 10014 |
RSVP NOW CLOSED |