Abbey Road Studios music photo awards: Stormzy and Harry Styles

Now in their second year, the awards are hosted by the world famous St John's Wood recording studios to boost recognition of the art of music photography and the people behind the lens.

This year saw more than 14,000 images submitted from 30 countries across categories including Music Moment of the Year, Live Music, In the Studio, and Underground Scenes.

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Irish photographer Ray Keogh has been shortlisted in the Undiscovered Photographer of the Year category for his image of Stormzy. (Image: Ray Keogh)

In addition the judges invited established photographers to submit work across Portrait, Editorial and Artist at Work categories with nominees fielding images of Megan Thee Stallion, FKA Twigs, Shygirl, and Harry Styles.

The awards were co-founded by legendary photographer Rankin, who is head judge alongside singer-songwriters Cat Burns and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Eurovision song contest entrant Mae Muller, street photographer Vicky Grout, fashion consultant Karen Binns, photographer Eric Johnson, fashion stylist ​​Matthew Josephs, and Nakyung Han of The New York Times.

Alex Amoros is shortlisted in the Underground Scenes category for this image of a Margate Mod weekender. (Image: Alex Amoros)

"The quality and standard of imagery for the 2023 entries is really impressive," said Rankin.

"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."

Anthony Pham's image of Hampstead resident Harry Styles is shortlisted for the Music Moment of the Year category (Image: Anthony Pham)

Winners will be announced at Abbey Road Studios on September 21, when an Icon Award will be handed to US photographer Henry Diltz, who shot 250 album covers, photographed musical legends such as the Eagles, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Jimi Hendrix, and was official photographer at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969.

US photographer Henry Diltz gets this year's Icon Award for his career shooting classic album covers, rock icons and festivals such as Woodstock. (Image: Henry Diltz)

Before the ceremony, 30 shortlisted images across the six open categories will be exhibited free at Outernet London in Charing Cross Road. Running for a week from Saturday September 2 in the Now Pop One space, visitors can vote for their favourite photo in the Music Moment of the Year category via interactive screens.

Sally Davies, managing director of Abbey Road Studios, which opened in 1931 as the world's first purpose-built recording studio, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the volume and quality of entries this year, 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."

Yasi - Jasmine Safaeian is shortlisted in Undiscovered Photographer of the Year for her image of Halsey (Image: Yasi - Jasmine Safaeian)

Over the decades Abbey Road has been home to countless landmark recordings and advances in music technology from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Amy Winehouse to the scores for films such as Harry Potter and Star Wars.