Abbey Road Studios has unveiled the nominees for the eagerly anticipated 2025 Music Photography Awards. This reveals a vibrant tapestry of musical moments captured through the lens, attracting over 20,000 submissions from photographers across 30 countries. Among the featured artists are Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Tyler the Creator, Pulp, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Fontaines D.C., Doja Cat, and Burna Boy. The annual event continues to underscore the importance of music photography as an integral element of cultural expression.
Exhibition and Public Engagement
In collaboration with Outernet London, Abbey Road Studios is organizing an exhibition showcasing the work of the nominees. Running from September 19 to 23, this free event at London’s Now Pop One will display all 40 images spanning eight open categories. Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s Director of Marketing & Creative, expressed his admiration for the creativity and storytelling prowess seen this year. “We’re especially grateful to our shortlisting panel for reviewing every single image,” he noted, emphasizing the role of music photography in shaping culture and celebrating artistic talents.
Award Highlights and New Category Introductions
The Music Photography Awards, established in 2022, continue to grow, introducing two new categories for 2025: Portrait and Festivals. Notably, the prestigious Icon Award will be bestowed upon Dutch photographer and director Anton Corbijn during the ceremony set for October 2 at Abbey Road Studios. This addition highlights the awards’ commitment to recognizing diverse artistic contributions within the industry.
Diverse and Esteemed Judging Panel
The judging panel for this year’s Music Photography Awards includes notable figures such as Rankin, Nile Rodgers, Joe Keery, Eric Burton, Dimitri From Paris, and others. Their involvement brings varied perspectives and expertise to the selection process. Fans are also encouraged to participate by voting for the Music Moment of the Year on the Awards’ website, with voting open until September 23.
Exploring the Nominee Categories
Abbey Road Studios has announced nominees across several categories:
- Portrait: Featuring works by Alec Castillo and Muriel Margaret, among others.
- Festivals: Celebrating shots by Inès Ziouane, Jez Pennington, and more.
- Music Moment of the Year: Includes Kirby Gladstein’s capture of Lana Del Rey and Michael’s imagery of Burna Boy.
- Emerging Photographer of the Year: Highlights emerging talents like Chérie Hansson and Frances Carter.
- Live Music: Spotlights photographers such as Aidan Hicks and Greg Noire.
Each nominee exemplifies the depth and diversity of music photography today, continuing to inspire and engage audiences worldwide.
