COMPETITION RULES

*Competition is currently closed. Check back regularly here and on Instagram for updates.

Categories and Entry Rules

There are seven categories available for entry: Artist/Band Portrait of the Year, Best Live Music Photo, Defining Moment, Festival Shot of the Year, Grassroots Venue Moment, Rising Talent Award (Under 18s Only), and Top Crowd Shot.

You may enter as few or as many categories as you like.

  • Under 18s may only enter the Rising Talent Award.

Each entry must include exactly three images per category - no more, no less.

  • Entries with fewer than three images will not be considered.

  • All three images will be reviewed during the shortlisting process.

  • From the shortlisted nominees, one image per nominee will be selected by the organisers to represent that entry in the final judging panel.

  • Exception: For the Defining Moment category, all three images from each shortlisted nominee will be forwarded to the judging panel for consideration.

Images may be submitted to more than one category if they are still relevant to the category theme. However, each category must still include three distinct images to be considered.

 

Photo Eligibility

Photos must be taken between 01/01/2025 and 31/12/2025

  • Exception: Rising Talent Award accepts images taken any time up to 31/12/2025

Images must clearly relate to the category entered - unrelated submissions will be disqualified.

All photos must be taken at music events or venues in Northern England, defined as:

  • North East

  • North West

  • Yorkshire & the Humber

 

Image Requirements

All images must be taken by you alone - no collaborations or third-party work

By submitting images, you confirm that photography was permitted at the event or venue, and that you have taken reasonable steps to respect the privacy and rights of individuals captured.

  • Crowd and performance shots taken in public or ticketed venues are accepted under venue photography policies.

You’re welcome to edit your images using any software — including colour grading, tone adjustments, noise reduction, cropping, and other enhancements. AI tools must not be used to generate or insert elements that weren’t present in the original scene.

Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG or TIFF

File size: Between 1MB and 15MB

If selected, winners and those shortlisted must provide a high-resolution TIFF or JPEG for printing purposes.

  • It must match the original submission in cropping and colour.

 

Submission Info (Required for Each Image)

Include the following details for each photo:

  • Full Name

  • Age

  • Date image was taken (DD/MM/YYYY)

  • Location (Venue/Festival + City/Town/Village)

  • Email Address

  • Subject or Artist Name

  • Social Media Handle (optional, for tagging)

  • Camera Used

  • Rising Talent Award entrants will be required to provide a parent/guardian’s email to enter.

 

If You Are Shortlisted or Win

If your image is shortlisted, we’ll contact you via the email you (or your parent/guardian) provided during submission. You’ll be asked to send a high-resolution version of your image for exhibition preparation.

 

Winning images will be publicly announced and credited wherever they’re featured — including exhibitions, online galleries, and printed materials. If selected as a winner, you’ll also be asked to provide a short write-up about your image or experience, which may be included alongside your work.

 

We’re proud to celebrate photographers from all backgrounds, including those from rural and grassroots scenes. If your image is selected, we’ll make sure it’s shown in a way that honours the spirit and authenticity of your work.

 

 

For full details on eligibility, usage, and rights, please read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before submitting.