The Abbey Road Music Photography awards held their fifth annual ceremony last night in London, and the winners have now been revealed. Joshua Halling claimed Music Moment of the Year with his picture of Oasis fans at the band’s 2025 show in Buenos Aires. Gabrielle Ravet took Behind the Scenes, while Tom Pallant won Live Music. Frances Carter won Portrait, AF Cortés won Underground Scenes, and Giulia Spadafora was awarded Festivals. Dara Petrova earned Emerging Photographer of the Year for her image of a techno rave at Laboratorium in Ukraine.
Angus Jenner’s picture of Oasis, snapped on the opening night of their reunion tour, took home the Judges’ Choice award. Wayne Large claimed the prize for 50 Years of Punk with a shot of punk band members gathered together in 1979, captured in Castle Gardens Park, Leicester.
Lifetime Achievement Award
During the ceremony, Masayoshi Sukita received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is best known for his 44-year partnership with David Bowie, having captured the famous image used on Bowie’s 1977 Heroes album. He is also known for photographing Iggy Pop, Marc Bolan, Joe Strummer, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and David Sylvian. Nile Rodgers accepted the award on Sukita’s behalf.
The ICON Award
This year’s ICON award went to American photographer Roberta Bayley, who was known for documenting the early punk rock scene. Her subjects included Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Debbie Harry and Blondie, Richard Hell, the Sex Pistols, and the Clash. Platon accepted the award on her behalf.
Lauren Laverne was the host for the event, which also included performances from Kuleeangee and Tom A. Smith.
Sally Davies on the Awards
Sally Davies, managing director of Abbey Road Studios, spoke about the evening. “Last night’s Abbey Road Music Photography Awards was a wonderful celebration of the extraordinary talent, creativity, and craft of music photography,” she said in a statement. “The standard of work was exceptional, and it was inspiring to see such a rich mix of perspectives and voices from photographers across the globe.”
The platform was described as a space where music, creativity and culture meet, she said, calling it “very special.” She pointed out that it honors the photographers who document that world through their own distinctive viewpoint. The community’s response to the MPAs over the last five years has been warm, generous and passionate, she added, expressing deep gratitude for that support.
“The greatest music photography does so much more than document a moment—it captures something of the artist, the audience and the time we’re living in.”
The Numbers Behind the Event
Since 2022, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards have been held annually. In 2026, the competition drew more than 24,500 entries from 40 distinct nations, marking a rise of 25 percent over the previous year’s total. Sacha Lecca, who works at Rolling Stone, was shortlisted in the Judges Choice category for his images of FKA twigs taken during her Ladyland Festival appearance. Lecca additionally serves as the Chief Shortlister and Global Ambassador of the event.
The Judges Panel
British photographer, publisher, and film director Rankin headed up the judging panel for this year’s Music Photography Awards. The group also drew in Nile Rodgers, Raye, Damiano David, Platon, Dean Chalkley, Dennis Morris, Kid Harpoon, Lily Fontaine, Jackie Lee Young, Hikaru Utada, and Simon Wheatley.
The Range of Winners
The winners span a wide range of categories:
- Joshua Halling’s Music Moment of the Year for his photograph of Oasis fans in Buenos Aires
- Gabrielle Ravet’s Behind the Scenes win
- Tom Pallant’s Live Music win
- Frances Carter’s Portrait win
- AF Cortés’s Underground Scenes win
- Giulia Spadafora’s Festivals category win
- Dara Petrova’s Emerging Photographer of the Year win for her photograph of a techno rave Laboratorium in Ukraine
Why the Awards Matter
Photographers gain a worldwide audience through these honors, and Davies said the occasion is meant to honor the art itself. The scale of entries — 24,500, from 40 nations — demonstrates just how far the contest has spread.
A distinguished group of music photographers make up the judging panel, with Rankin at the lead, joined by Rodgers, Platon, and other accomplished names who bring their collective expertise to the selection process.
The Evening’s Performances
The event was helmed by Laverne, who served as host for the evening, while Kuleeangee and Tom A. Smith took to the stage to deliver their performances.
The Future of the MPAs
More entrants are coming from around the world, and the competition has grown in scale accordingly. Submissions are up 25 percent over last year, continuing a trend of increasing participation.
Over the past five years, Davies has observed the community’s warm and generous embrace of the MPAs. That support has turned the event into a fixture on the music photography calendar.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards delivered a strong set of winners across multiple categories. From Halling’s Oasis fans in Buenos Aires to Sukita’s lifetime of work with Bowie, the evening honored both emerging talent and established masters.
A rise in the number of entries indicates the contest continues to hold great importance among photographers.
Source material: “Abbey Road Photography Awards Announce 2026 Winners,” Rolling Stone.
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