The Heavy Music Awards Young Photographer of the Year competition is back for a fourth year and has opened submissions for the coveted gong, celebrating outstanding talent among young photographers in the rock scene across the UK. The 2020 edition invites amateur photographers aged 16-21 to submit their images before 18 December for the chance to be mentored by legendary rock lensman and HMA 2019 Best Photographer Winner Paul Harries, at an exclusive artist photo shoot. Paul Harries will select the finalists, before the public is invited to cast their votes and decide the winner. The Heavy Music Awards takes place Thursday 21 May at London O2 Kentish Town Forum.
Paul Harries is known around the world for his iconic images of artists including Nirvana, Muse, Green Day, Metallica, Biffy Clyro, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Slash, Bring Me The Horizon, Ghost, My Chemical Romance, Twenty One Pilots, Blink-182, Slipknot and countless more. This prize offers real world value to the winner with hands-on experience and one-on-one practical advice with one of the world’s finest in a real live studio artist shoot, as well as exposure of their work.
Paul Harries said: “It’s a privilege to be asked to provide a short-list for the HMA Young Photographer of the Year competition. I’m regularly asked for advice by budding young photographers so this is a great opportunity for me to edit for the most promising 16-21 year olds. I’m already looking forward to working with the winner on a shoot next year so I can offer advice, hopefully inspire, and perhaps share a few trade secrets”
BABY METAL, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, OLI SYKES AS SHOT BY PAUL HARRIES
USAGE MUST BE CREDITED TO PAUL HARRIES
The Young Photographer of the Year competition has become hugely popular since its inception in 2017 and has seen winners receiving real world work shooting the likes of Download Festival and the winner of 2018’s contest, Eleanor Sutcliffe, became a full member of the HMA19 photo team, shooting the red carpet, winners and show.
Heavy Music Awards co-founder Andy Pritchard said: “YPOTY has become one of the most fun and exciting elements of the HMAs each year – the quality of the photographs we receive is astounding and we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer this platform to those who will undoubtedly be at the vanguard of heavy music photography in years to come. Having Paul Harries involved for 2020, a genuine legend of the scene, is a real honour.”
Entry for YPOTY20 is open now For 2020, entrants are asked to submit two photos. To be eligible, you must be aged 16 to 21 on the date entry closes – 18 December 2019. Finalists will be announced on 20 January 2020, when public voting will also open. The vote will close on 31 January 2020. The winner will be announced 5 February 2020. www.heavymusicawards.com/youngphotographer