Today, we're proud to announce our prestigious annual Music Photography Awards is open for submissions. Now in its fourth year the MPAs is the only global music photography awards - championing, empowering and showcasing the worldwide community of music photographers. The MPAs is a free to enter competition and open to all levels of experience, with the winners to be unveiled and celebrated at the official awards ceremony on 2 October at Abbey Road.

Last year, the Awards attracted over 22,000 entries from 30 different countries – a 50% increase from 2023. As a result, two new categories have been introduced for 2025 – Portrait and Festivals, while this year’s guest category is Club Culture, which celebrates images from any year.

The judging panel for this year's Awards is packed full of talent at the top of their game from across the creative industries. Lead by MPA co-founder, British photographer, publisher and film director Rankin (Madonna, Bjork, Miley Cyrus), the panel includes special guest judge and music superstar Nile Rodgers, actor, producer and songwriter Djo/Joe Keery, Black Pumas’ frontman Eric Burton, producer/DJ Dimitri From Paris and Sunflower Bean’s frontwoman Julia Cumming. British photographers Scarlet Page (Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Placebo), two-time MPA winner Tom Pallant (YungBlud, Blur), MPA nominee Bolade Banjo (Louis Vuitton / Pharrell, Burberry, Gucci, Drake), Shot by Nee (Burna Boy), legendary photographer Janette Beckman (Run DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Slick Rick) and category judge Simon Wheatley complete the storied line up of judges for 2025.

Ahead of the judging day, a shortlist is created by a panel of photography experts. The shortlisting panel is headed up by MPA Chief Shortlister & Global Ambassador Sacha Lecca (Rolling Stone U.S.) and includes photographers Todd Owyoung (Rolling Stone U.S., Billboard, Vanity Fair) and MPA alumni Yasi, Jennifer McCord and CJ Harvey.

Head judge Rankin said: "I’m thrilled to be back for year four of the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards. Each year, the standard of entries gets more impressive, and it’s been a real joy to watch so many of the photographers we’ve spotlighted go on to carve out real careers in the industry. The launch of the Music Photography Accelerator marks a new chapter, one that goes beyond recognition to real investment in the next wave of talent. Abbey Road is building a global platform that not only showcases emerging photographers but supports their journey, offering them opportunities to learn, collaborate and gain real world experience."

Founded in 2022 the Music Photography Awards has been embraced by the photography community and has since grown into a year-round, multi-layered platform for growth and opportunity. It now encompasses events, exhibitions, workshops, learning resources and much more, all designed to champion and empower photography talent. To supercharge this ambition and deliver on it in the most meaningful and impactful way, the Awards now form the cornerstone of the Abbey Road Music Photography Accelerator.

While the Awards recognise excellence and creativity, the Accelerator will support, elevate and invest in the next generation of music photographers, shifting from a single moment in the calendar to an ongoing commitment to development, mentorship and opportunities. The Accelerator is about creating real impact, providing photographers with tools, experiences and networks to take their craft to the next level. It's a launchpad designed not just to spotlight talent, but to nurture it.

The Abbey Road Music Photography Accelerator touched down in New York City this week for a series of curated events, celebrating the legends behind the lens and the next generation of visual storytellers. These include an In Conversation with acclaimed photographer Danny Clinch (Bruce Springsteen, Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam) and Sacha Lecca at the Leica Gallery and launch of a public exhibition at the Morrison Hotel Gallery to honour MPA ICON Award winners Jill Furmanovsky and Henry Diltz alongside MPA nominee Christaan Felber (Lil Nas, Mac Miller) and Sacha Lecca. Ahead of the Oasis reunion tour, 2024 ICON winner Jill Furmanovsky has chosen a selection of her era-defining images of the band, including photos captured in the U.S. and at Abbey Road. The exhibition runs from 28 May to 2 June. On Friday 30 May, Rolling Stone’s studio hosts a panel talk and free portfolio reviews for emerging photographers To celebrate the launch of this year’s competition in true NYC style, the iconic Times Square billboard was lit up in the MPA’s colours for two days. Head to mpa.photo for the schedule.

Sally Davies, Managing Director at Abbey Road says: "Music photography doesn’t just document culture — it plays a vital role in shaping it. With the Music Photography Awards we're proud to champion the image-makers capturing music’s most powerful moments and pushing the boundaries of visual creativity. And as the awards evolve into the cornerstone of our Music Photography Accelerator, it's exciting to not only spotlight talent, but continue to nurture it, helping it connect and thrive. It's about opening doors for the next generation of music photographers, and we can’t wait to see the incredible work they will submit this year."

Entry for the MPAs 2025 is free and is OPEN NOW until 28 July.

There are eight categories open to all and two categories with the winners nominated and chosen by the judging panel. Images entered for the regular categories must be taken in 2024, while entries to Club Culture, this year’s guest category, can be taken in any year.

The categories are:

Open for submissions:
● Portrait (new for 2025)
● Festivals (new for 2025)
● Music Moment of the Year sponsored by Outernet
● Emerging Photographer of the Year sponsored by adidas
● Making Music
● Underground Scenes
● Live Music
● Guest category: Club Culture
Invited Categories (nominated and chosen by the judging panel):
● Judges Choice
● ICON