Abbey Road Studios organizes the first Music Photography Awards 2022

By Ike M. Rogers Last updated May 27, 2022

Published:
15:08 May 17, 2022

Legendary Abbey Road Recording Studios have held their first Music Photography Awards.

Judges including Rankin and Jill Furmanovsky presented awards at the St John’s Wood landmark on Saturday to eight photographers who have captured the music industry – from live performance to studio work.

An image of metal band Darkest Hour won the Zeitgeist category at the inaugural Abbey Road Rock Music Photography Awards
– Credit: Chris Suspect

Megan Doherty won the Championing Scenes category for a snap taken in her hometown of Derry. The Live award was won by John Lyons for his image of David Mrakpor performing with Ruben Fox, while Chris Suspect’s snap from metal band Darkest Hour topped the Zeitgeist category. Joe Puxley’s image of Arlo Parks won the Undiscover award, and Jack McKain’s image of rapper Pink Siifu got the In Studio gong.

Arlo Parks image by Joe Puxley won Undiscover Award,

Joe Puxley’s Arlo Parks Image Won Undiscover Award
– Credit: Joe Puxley

Radio 6 presenter Matt Everitt hosted the ceremony at Studio One, the largest purpose-built recording space in the world.

In the nine decades since Abbey Road opened as a recording studio, it has hosted everyone from Elgar to Kanye West to orchestras playing film scores blockbuster from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings.

Rankin told the crowd that his first dream of joining The Jam had been dashed by an inability to sing, while fellow judges Shygirl, Ghanaian-American singer Moses Sumney and American photographer Dana Scruggs offered awards and encouragement to the winners.

Shygirl was among the judges for the awards
– Credit: Mike Massaro

Yana Yatsek won the portrait award for her photo of King Princess, Greg Noire’s live photo of KennyHoopla won the artist at work award, while Samuel Trotter’s photo of Polo G and his son won was considered the best editorial image.

New York photographer Eric Johnson received the Icon Award for his work documenting the American music scene of the late 90s, defining an era with his photos of Biggie Smalls, Nas, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill and the late Aaliyah.

American photographer Eric Johnson receives his Icon Award at the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards
– Credit: Mike Massaro

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed live music from Mysie, The Clockworks and Hak Baker in Studio Two, scene of landmark recordings by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Adele and Oasis.

Abbey Road Judge and Managing Director Isabel Garvey said: “Everyone at Abbey Road Studios is delighted with the quality of the entries and winners of our first Music Photography Awards. We are also incredibly encouraged by the way MPAs have been embraced across the arts and creative landscape. It’s been great to create a platform to recognize emerging and established talent in this important field, and we’re already looking forward to doing it again in 2023!”