The Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023 - Shortlist to Show at Outernet

Abbey Road Studios, the world’s most celebrated recording studio, has announced the shortlisted nominations for the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards 2023. In an exciting new venture for 2023, Abbey Road Studios has partnered with Outernet to exhibit the shortlisted images.

The exhibition is free to attend and launches on Saturday 2nd September with all 30 images across the six open categories on display for just over a week in our Now Pop One space, adjacent to London's Charing Cross Road. 

This new partnership allows 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 2nd September.

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 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).

MPAs co-founder and head judge Rankin said:

“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.”

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.”