We're thrilled to be announcing the shortlist nominations for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023 - the first awards to celebrate the art of music photography.

Open Categories

In the awards’ open categories, the nominees for Undiscovered Photographer of The Year supported by adidas, include Yasi - Jasmine Safaeian (Halsey), Chris Allmeid (Lil Uzi Vert) and Ray Keogh (Stormzy).

In the Music Moment of the Year category, supported by Outernet, nominees include Nicole Fara Silver (Billie Eilish), Anthony Pham (Harry Styles) and Paul Bogle (Stormzy & DAVE). Carlo Cavaluzzi (JPEGMAFIA) and Mary Caroline Russell (Colony House) are nominated in Live Music supported by Philips Ambilight TV.

Nominees in the In The Studio category include Kaj O'Connell (Canal Kn!ght and Knock Monsterr) and Victoria Sanders (Benjamin Earl Turner), while Jamie MacMillan, Sam Rockman and AF CORTES are nominated for their images of Sports Team, Onoe Capone and Native Sun in Underground Scenes, supported by Abbey Road.

Lastly, nominees for Hip Hop 50 supported by Hennessy are Anthony Pham (Nipsey, 2020), Clay Patrick McBride (Jay-Z & Kanye West, 2005), Erik Weiss (De La Soul, 2004), Kat McBride (Rasheed Chappell and Buckwild) and Tamara Rafkin (Too Short, 1994).

From left, Anthony Pham with Harry Styles for Music Moment of the Year, and Yasi with Halsey for Undiscovered Photographer of the Year.

From left, Kaj O'Connell with Canal Kn!ght and Knock Monsterr for In The Studio, and Jamie MacMillan with Fontaines D.C. for Live Music.

The MPAs lead judge Rankin adds: “The quality and standard of imagery for the 2023 entries is really impressive - it’s as strong across the board as the 2022 winners. It meant that there was not as much debate in the judging session, as there really wasn’t a bad picture. I'm beyond thrilled with the winning images and can't wait to see them revealed at the awards ceremony on 21 September.”

Find the full list of shortlisted images from the Open Categories here

Invited Categories

In the invited categories, the judges have nominated photographers for their work across the Portrait, Editorial and Artist at Work categories.

In the Editorial category, the nominees include Aidan Zamiri (Caroline Polachek), AB+DM (SZA), Meredith Jenks (Bad Bunny) and Ramona Rosales (Megan Thee Stallion). In the Portrait category, Orograph (FKA Twigs), Irina Rozovsky (Ethel Cain), Samuel Ibram (Shygirl) and Amanda Fordyce (Harry Styles) are nominated. Over in Artist at Work, the nominees include Raven B Varona (Adele), Zaineb Abelque (P-rallel), OK McCausland (Arcade Fire) and Tom Pallant (YUNGBLUD).

From left, Samuel Ibram with Shygirl for Portrait, and Tom Pallant with YUNGBLUD for Artist at Work.