Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards x Amplify - A Day of Free Panel Talks & Conversations

Abbey Road Studios today announces the return of its Amplify festival on Wednesday 5 July with a special edition that coincides with the Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards.

The day-long event held in the iconic Studio Three will delve into various aspects of music photography, providing the next generation of music photographers with insights, experiences, and expertise from panellists including Rankin, Vicky Grout, Ashley Verse, Jordan Curtis Hughes, Charlotte Patmore, Phoebe Fox and Dave Hogan.

LIVESTREAM - WEDNESDAY 5 JULY (10:00AM - 5:00PM)

Schedule - Wednesday 5 July

10:00AM - 11:00AM: Starting Out with Joe Puxley, Jennifer McCord, Martyna Bannister & Dean Chalkley

Moderated by Nicholas Douglas (Creative Director - Notion Magazine & Studio Notion)

This panel will explore the journey of any aspiring music photographers, providing valuable tips, tricks, and advice on building a successful career in this field. Accomplished music photographers including Joe Puxley, Dean Chalkley, Martyna Bannister & Jennifer McCord will share their personal stories and offer guidance to those looking to make their mark in music photography.

11:15AM -12:15PM: The Art of Music Photography with Charlotte Patmore, Ashley Verse, Vicky Grout, DeShaun Craddock and Andy Cotterill

Moderated by musician-turned-award winning author, Daniel Rachel

Ashley Verse is a photographer of Jamaican & Bajan heritage, based in London. With years of creative exploration and dedication, Ashley Verse has become a respected name in the UK Music scene. Determined to become completely engrossed in his craft, he spent his years developing his skill and his passion for photography which has allowed him to effortlessly interchange between music, events, fashion & more. Born and raised in South London, Ashley Verse spent his youth surrounded by an array of cultures and talents. Immersed in his environment, he knew he wanted to capture moments, journeys and emotions to reflect the diverse identity of the UK and the potential around him. He has created his own distinctive style, seen in his emotionally striking portraiture work and his ability to capture a variety of rich, deep and vivid tones. Recognised as a capturer of UK music culture, Ashley Verse has worked extensively with notable artists including Stormzy, Mabel & Tom Grennan, as well as working officially for entities such as MOBO, Wireless Festival & BET. With the constant urge to ‘explore’, his work has developed from capturing the moment to creating it, especially within his portraiture. His adaptable style has allowed him to make a true impact in his field, making him an influential figure amongst his counterparts.

East London born Andrew Cotterill is a Photographer with a genuine passion and engendered affinity with his subject matter. His work for Q Magazine, Mojo, Spin, Sony Style, NME, Big Issue and Dazed & Confused has taken him from court photographer of the mid-90's drum 'n' bass explosion to the expert eye on Jamaica's dancehall renaissance. His eye now being on the british Grime and hip hop scene as well as others. Andrew's, association with music runs true and deep - his passage into photography was a natural progression from his passion of the 80's club and warehouse-party scene. Andrew's entry into magazines came, suitably enough, with pictures of Public Enemey's Chuck D for Dazed & Confused. In the years since he has chalked up images of personal heroes ranging from Sly & Robbie to John Peel, to Lee Scratch Perry, amongst an ever-growing catalogue of prolific names featuring the likes of,Robert Plant, Arctic Monkeys, Vivienne Westwood, Jarvis Cocker, J Hus, Kanye West, Johnny Marr, Black Keys, Chase & Status, Outkast's Andre 3000 and the Converse-booted Strokes to name but a few.. Having shot the Arctic Monkeys back in 2006, near their hometown of Sheffield; Andrew was proud to be invited back again to shoot the band. This time for the prestigious cover of Mojo Magazine, in anticipation of the release of their sixth album 'Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino'. From a band just out of their teens adjusting to their new found stardom to a fully-fledged international in-demand rock band, Andrew has managed to capture the strength of the band at both these pivotal points with extraordinary ease, creating iconic imagery along the way. It's this roots-up trajectory that makes Andrew as comfortable capturing proud, posturing Wall Street wiz-kids in the New York Stock Exchange, introverted filmmakers like Mike Figgis, Wim Wenders and Lars Von Trier, or catching hip hop's hardest off-guard and off-duty in Sylvia`s Harlem soul food establishment. Which emerging movement his astutely guided lens lands on next is anyone's guess but no-doubt it will be charmed into revealing it's essences right.

This panel will delve into the artistic side of music photography, discussing techniques, approaches, and the creative vision behind capturing memorable and evocative images of musicians and live performances.

12:30PM - 1:30PM: In Conversation with Rankin

Moderated by London-based art writer and curator, Francesca Gavin

Rankin is a British photographer, publisher, and film director. Alongside being head of the eponymous agency RANKIN, which hosts an 80+ strong team that puts strategy, creative and production all under one roof. Through RANKIN, he is best known for work that is on the cultural cusp and leading future trends: producing rule-breaking campaigns for brands such as Rolls Royce, Unilever, L’Oreal and Samsonite; creating wide reaching projects for charities including Women’s Aid and Macmillan; and shooting music videos for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora and Kelis. As a photographer Rankin’s portfolio ranges from portraiture to documentary. He has shot The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner and The Queen to name only a few. As a publisher, Rankin co-founded the seminal magazine Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1991, and has since published the likes of AnOther and AnOther Man, alongside over 40 books and the biannual fashion and culture print and digital platform, Hunger. His photography has been published everywhere from his own publications to Elle, Vogue, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, and Wonderland, and exhibited in galleries globally, including MoMA, New York, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Rankin lives in London with his wife, Tuuli, and their dogs.

We're thrilled to present an exclusive In Conversation session with the iconic photographer and co-founder of the MPAs, Rankin. Rankin's legendary images capture the essence of musicians and celebrities with his distinctive style. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to hear firsthand about Rankin's experiences, insights, and creative process in photographing the world of music.

2:30PM - 3:30PM: Capturing Live Music with Jordan Curtis Hughes, Dave Hogan, Phoebe Fox, Eljay Briss, Sacha Lecca

Moderated by Marian Paterson (Picture Editor for NME & Q Magazine)

This panel will focus on the challenges and rewards of photographing live music events. From concert halls to festivals, seasoned photographers will share their experiences and insights, highlighting the techniques they employ to capture the energy, excitement, and essence of live music performances. Panellists include Jordan Curtis Hughes, Dave Hogan, Eljay Briss, Sacha Lecca and Phoebe Fox and it will be hosted by former NME and Q Magazine Picture Editor Marian Paterson.

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM - The Business of Music Photography with Marian Paterson, Tabatha Fireman, Nelta Kasparian & Nakyung Han

Moderated by photographer and director, Danny North

Being a music photographer involves more than just taking stunning imagery at concerts or gigs. It also requires a solid understanding of the business perspective of the industry. This includes pricing services, negotiating contracts, managing licensing and copyright, marketing and promotion, and effectively managing finances. Developing these skills is vital to establishing a sustainable business model and maintaining professional relationships.

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Abbey Road Studios

3 Abbey Road
London
NW8 9AY
UK

Please note that Abbey Road is a working studio and business and as such, is not open to the general public for visits or tours. For information on vacancies and internships in the UK, please visit the Universal Music website.