Shortlist highlights
The shortlist for the 2026 Music Photography Awards, supported by Abbey Road, has been unveiled, featuring images that organisers say capture some of the most memorable moments in music from the past year. Among the nominees are a photograph of former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher grinning while holding a tambourine and an image captioned "Charli XCX says bye to Brat."
Celebrating music photography
The awards recognise work that documents the music world, from live performance and portraits to behind-the-scenes moments. The shortlisted images provide a visual record of artists, fans and events, and are judged on composition, storytelling and technical merit.
Platform for photographers
Being named on the shortlist offers exposure for both established and emerging photographers, with shortlisted work frequently featured in exhibitions and media coverage. Organisers say the awards aim to highlight the role photography plays in shaping public memories of music culture.
Next steps
The shortlisted entries will proceed to the final stage of the competition, with winners to be selected from among them. Further details about the judging process and the announcement of winners are to be provided by the awards organisers in due course.