NME Music Photography Awards

Press Release:

This summer, NME launched the first ever NME Music Photography Awards with Nikon – a competition to find the most stunning and original music photography from both amateur and professional photographers, worldwide.

With over 5,000 images entered, the esteemed panel of judges had a tough job deciding on the winners. The judging panel included world famous rock photographers Pennie Smith and Jill Furmanovsky as well as revered NME snapper Dean Chalkley and editor of NME, Krissi Murison.

After much deliberation the judges finally found the winners of the eight different categories, which will now go on display at London’s British Music Experience, the UK’s interactive museum of rock and pop at The O2, along with those highly commended and a selection of other images so good they just have to be seen.

The exhibition also celebrates Andy Willsher who will be recognised with the NME Outstanding Contribution to Music Photography award.

Andy Willsher is one of the UK's most talented music photographers, shooting everyone from Morrissey and Muse to Foo Fighters and the White Stripes. His work has adorned countless covers of NME over a 20-year career.

NME editor Krissi Murison says: “Andy Willsher’s work never fails to amaze. He has an absolute natural talent for capturing the moment we all wanted to see and he is completely deserving of the award for the contribution he has made to NME and music photography during his career. Equally it is amazing to see such a high standard amongst the up and coming music photographers. This exhibition shows that there are future stars out there and music photography is in a very exciting place.

"I’m also delighted to see such a high standard amongst the up and coming music photographers. This exhibition will show that there is a lot of talent out there.”

Winners in full:

• Professional Photographer Of The Year - Paula Gillespie
• Professional Runner up - Kane Hibberd

Amateur Categories:

• 14 & Under - Wouter Loeve
• 15-17 - Alexandra Apolenová
• Reportage - Rob Marrison
• Portrait – Jason Williamson
• Live - Joe Watson Andrew WK
• Festival - James Berry Police at Glastonbury 2010