Abbey Road Studios has announced the shortlisted nominations for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023

30 August 2023 - Press release

Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most celebrated recording studio, has today announced the shortlisted nominations for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023. 

In the awards’ open categories, the nominees for Undiscovered Photographer of The Year supported by adidas, include Yasi (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 for In The Studio 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 Tamara Rafkin (Too Short, 1994), Erik Weiss (De La Soul, 2004), Clay Patrick McBride (Jay-Z & Kanye West, 2005), Kat McBride (Rasheed Chappell and Buckwild, 2020) and Anthony Pham (Nipsey, 2020). 

The 2023 competition has witnessed a more than 480% increase in entries since the MPAs launched in 2022, with over 14,000 images from 30 countries being submitted for consideration across the open 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). Full list of nominees below. 

MPAs co-founder and head 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.” 

Also announced today, in an exciting new venture for 2023, Abbey Road Studios has partnered with Outernet London to exhibit the shortlisted images within London’s premier immersive entertainment district. The exhibition will be free to attend and launches on Saturday 2 September with all 30 images across the six open categories on display for just over a week in the Now Pop One space, adjacent to Charing Cross Road. 

This new partnership will also allow visitors to vote for their favourite photo in the Music Moment of the Year category via interactive screens. This gives music and photography fans the chance to participate in the awards, while expanding on Abbey Road’s aim to gain further widespread recognition of the art of music photography and those behind the lens. Voting is also possible on the MPAs website from Saturday 2 September. 

Alexandra Payne, Head of Creative Content, Outernet London says: “Music and art are at the core of Outernet’s DNA and partnering with Abbey Road Studios for the MPAs felt like a natural fit. We’re thrilled to provide a platform to showcase the work of upcoming and established music photographers and continue to build upon the great musical history of Denmark St.” 

Sally Davies, Managing Director, Abbey Road Studios says: “We have been overwhelmed by the volume and quality of entries to this year’s MPAs, reinforcing the importance of celebrating the art of music photography. Both the entries and the shortlist are a testament to the quality and breadth of photographers working today, from new and emerging to more established talent. We’re excited to be unveiling the winners next month.” 

Please find the full list of shortlisted images for the MPAs below. 

OPEN CATEGORIES 

Undiscovered Photographer of the Year supported by adidas 

Ray Keogh (Stormzy)

Yasi - Jasmine Safaeian (Halsey)

Chris Allmeid (Lil Uzi Vert)

Sam Rockman (Tokky Horror)

AF Cortes (Zola Jesus)
 

Music Moment of the Year supported by Outernet London 

Nicole Fara Silver (Billie Eilish)

Anthony Pham (Harry Styles)

Paul Bogle (Stormzy & Dave)

Aaron Parsons (IDLES)

Lorenzo Reali (Alfa)

 

Underground Scenes supported by Abbey Road Studios 

AF Cortes (Native Sun)

Alex Amorós (Margate Mod Weekender)

Djavanshir Nico (Prince Marvelous Fall)

Sam Rockman (Onoe Capone)

Jamie MacMillan (Sports Team)

 

Live Music supported by Philips Ambilight TV 

Chris Suspect (CumGirl 8)

Jamie MacMillan (Fontaines D.C.)

Mary Caroline Russell (Colony House)

Carlo Cavaluzzi (JPEGMAFIA)

Izzy Nuzzo (Lil Uzi Vert)

 

In The Studio 

Andrew Little (Rachel Croft)

Victoria Sanders (Benjamin Earl Turner)

Mark John (Gutfleisch-Schuermann-Frey featuring Hendrik Meurkens)

Kaj O'Connell (Canal Kn!ght and Knock Monsterr)

 

Hip Hop 50 supported by Hennessy 

2023 marks 50 years of Hip-Hop: five decades of captivating beats, powerful lyrics, and groundbreaking artistry that have left an indelible mark on popular culture. This category serves as a vibrant homage to 50 years of photography. 

Tamara Rafkin (Too Short, 1994)

Erik Weiss (De La Soul, 2004)

Clay Patrick McBride (Jay-Z & Kanye West, 2005)

Anthony Pham (Nipsey, 2020)

Kat McBride (Rasheed Chappell and Buckwild, 2020)

 

INVITED CATEGORIES

Editorial 

Aidan Zamiri (Caroline Polachek)

Silvia Draz (Lancey Foux)

AB+DM (SZA)

Ramona Rosales (Megan Thee Stallion)

Meredith Jenks (Bad Bunny)

 

Portrait 

Orograph (FKA Twigs)

Irina Rozovsky (Ethel Cain)

Samuel Ibram (Shygirl)

Amanda Fordyce (Harry Styles)

 

Artist at Work 

Raven B Varona (Adele)

Zaineb Abelque (P-rallel)

OK McCausland (Arcade Fire)

Tom Pallant (YUNGBLUD)

 

Earlier this month, the MPAs announced that the legendary US photographer Henry Diltz is to receive the Icon Award. Diltz has shot over 250 album covers including the Morrison Hotel cover for The Doors and photographed musical legends such as the Eagles, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, Debbie Harry, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, The Monkees and David Cassidy. He was also the official photographer at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, Woodstock Music festival in 1969, 1994, and 1999 and continues to photograph festivals to this day. 

The judging panel for the MPAs 2023 comprises world-famous photographer, publisher and film director Rankin, platinum-selling singer-songwriter Cat Burns and street culture photographer Vicky Grout. Pop sensation Mae Muller is also on the judging panel alongside singer-songwriter, broadcaster and presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, creative director and fashion consultant Karen Binns and photographer Eric Johnson, who was the recipient of the 2022 Icon Award. Completing the panel is fashion stylist Matthew Josephs and The New York Times Deputy Photo Editor Nakyung Han. Joining the panel as a guest judge for the Underground Scenes category is acclaimed documentary photographer Simon Wheatley. 

For more information on this year’s MPAs, please visit.