Abbey Road Studios Announces Nominees for Annual Music Photography Awards

Abbey Road Studios has announced the nominees for the 2025 Music Photography Awards. Chosen from more than 20,000 submissions across 30 countries, the finalists include striking images of Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, Tyler the Creator, Pulp, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Fontaines D.C., Doja Cat, and Burna Boy.

This year, the Awards partnered with Outernet London to showcase the nominated work. The free exhibition will run from September 19 to 23 at London’s Now Pop One, where visitors can view all 40 shortlisted images across the eight open categories.

“The level of creativity, vision, and storytelling made this one of the most inspiring years yet,” said Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s Director of Marketing & Creative, in a statement. “We’re especially grateful to our shortlisting panel for reviewing every single image, to the judges who worked late into the night debating the final selection, and to our friends at Outernet London for giving the shortlisted photographers an amazing platform for visibility. Most importantly, our thanks to the incredibly gifted community of photographers who continue to impress with their work and prove that music photography is a genuine art to be celebrated and plays a vital role in shaping culture.”

Abbey Road also confirmed that Dutch photographer, filmmaker, and music video director Anton Corbijn will receive the Icon Award at the ceremony, which takes place October 2 at Abbey Road Studios in London. Founded in 2022, the Awards recognize excellence across a variety of categories, most of which are open to public entry. For 2025, two new categories have been introduced: Portrait and Festivals.

The judging panel this year features Rankin, Nile Rodgers, Joe Keery, Eric Burton, Dimitri From Paris, Julia Cumming, Scarlet Page, Tom Pallant, Bolade Banjo, Shot by Nee, Janette Beckman, and Simon Wheatley. Fans also have the chance to get involved by voting for Music Moment of the Year through the Awards’ official website, with voting open until September 23.

Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2025 Nominees

Portrait
Alec Castillo – Adam Amran
Alice Backham – Kayla Grace
Annie Noelker – Benny Blanco
Lauren Luxenberg – Central Cee
Muriel Margaret – Donna Missal

Festivals
Inès Ziouane – J Balvin
Jacob R Mulka – Dmitri Minakakis
Jez Pennington – Enter Shikari
Thomas Ranner – Nova Rock Festival
Tone Verswijvel – Maria Iskariot

Music Moment of the Year supported by Outernet
Josh Druding – Chappell Roan
Kirby Gladstein – Lana Del Rey
Lauren Krohn – Pulp
Michael – Burna Boy
Pupat Chenakasara – Charli XCX

Emerging Photographer of the Year supported by Adidas
Chérie Hansson – AIR
Frances Carter – Aubrie Mitchell
Lantz Martin – Ken Carson
Martin – La Dispute
Melissa Gardner – Lava La Rue

Making Music
Blair Kitchener – 18Fevers
Jordan Curtis Hughes – Matty Healy
Lewis Evans – Inhaler
Nicole Mago – Maggie Rogers
Olly Bromidge – Jimmi Herbert

Underground Scenes
Adam Ziegenhals – Unabomb
Geoffrey Nicholson – Spunk
Jen Amelia Vetch – Hidden, Manchester
Karabo Mooki – Thula ‘Stroof’ Sizwe
RxAxLxF – Umojah Soundsystem

Live Music
Aidan Hicks – Channel Tres
Greg Noire – Doja Cat
Nicole Mago – Maggie Rogers
Phoebe Fox – The Last Dinner Party
Ruby Boland – MAY-A

Club Culture
Connor Baker – Glitterbox
Gracie Hall – Redroom Halloween Party
Jason Palmer – Carl Cox
Jeanie Jean – Slimelight
Lilly Creightmore – Colombian LGBTQ+ Community

Judges Choice
Elliot Hensford – Doechii
Fanny Viguier – Keemy, Karaba, and Brieuc at La Creole
Luis Perez – Tyler the Creator
Michael Drummond – Doja Cat
Phoebe Fox – Robert Smith
Platon – Nile Rodgers
Pooneh Ghana – Fontaines D.C.
Ronan Park – Lucia & the Best Boys