So.co has announced that its Music Photographer of the Year Awards, now renamed to So.co Image of Music Awards, is now open for entries. The competition, which is sponsored by Affinity Photo, aims to discover and celebrate the best portraits of musicians and music photography around the world. Entry to the competition is now free.

There are seven categories including the new Young Music Photographer of the Year award, which shines a spotlight on emerging talent under the age of 23. The deadline for submissions closes on 31 January 2024, with winners announced at the award ceremony at Amazing Grace, London on 26 March 2024. To enter and find out more, head to the So.co website.

Vince Bannon, So.co CEO & co-founder said: ‘I am thrilled to announce our music photography awards will return for its second year under the new title So.co Image of Music Awards! We were blown away by the entries, enthusiasm, and the interaction around the inaugural awards. At So.co, our aim is to celebrate the music photographers behind the lens and seeing a packed room in London with nominees and worthy winners telling their stories was the highlight of the year. We are delighted to bring the awards back bigger and better in 2024, it’s going to be a great night!’

Portait of Nirvana by Chris Cuffaro, film photography

Nirvana, by Chris Cuffaro.

From So.Co:

Following its hugely successful debut year in 2023, music-storytelling platform So.co today announces the second edition of the So.co Image of Music Awards, sponsored by Affinity Photo (formerly known as the So.co Music Photographer of the Year Awards). The competition once again celebrates the art of music photography and is open those of all abilities. Submission guidelines and further information is available at https://so.co/awards.

Born out of a desire to champion the often-unsung heroes behind the lens, the inaugural awards saw photographers from around the world entering their work. So.co now invites photographers to share their images taken in 2023 that represent the diversity of the industry and celebrate all music photography both onstage & backstage.

The three open-entry categories for this year are the prestigious Image Of Music ‘People’s Choice’ Award 2024, Music Photographer Of The Year and the Young Music Photographer Of The Year (selected by an industry panel) – a new category that shines a spotlight on emerging talent under the age of 23.

The other four categories are Venue Of The Year, Innovation of the Year, The ‘Must See’ Artist of the Year and the So.co Legend Award, which last year honoured David Hogan for his incredible career and contribution to music photography. David now joins the So.co judging panel in 2024 alongside other industry experts.

Entries are now open, with submissions and public voting both closing on 31st January 2024. Winners will be revealed at the award ceremony, taking place at Amazing Grace, London, on 26th March 2024.

Vince Bannon, So.co CEO & co-founder says: “I am thrilled to announce our music photography awards will return for its second year under the new title So.co Image of Music Awards! We were blown away by the entries, enthusiasm, and the interaction around the inaugural awards. At So.co, our aim is to celebrate the music photographers behind the lens and seeing a packed room in London with nominees and worthy winners telling their stories was the highlight of the year. We are delighted to bring the awards back bigger and better in 2024, it’s going to be a great night!”

For further information and to enter, head to https://so.co/awards.

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