NMPS 2 COMING SOON

• LAST YEAR'S WINNERS

Photo: Cal Moores, Top Crowd Shot Winner

WHO WE ARE

Northern Music Photography Spotlight is a competition celebrating the photographers who capture the vibrant and buzzing energy of Northern England's music scenes. Open to creatives across all parts of the UK, we shine a light on the lens behind the North's passion for music, and culture.

NMPS 1 WINNERS

Photo: Adam Edwards, Defining Moment Winner

SPONSOR AN AWARD

CALLING ALL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES AND CREATIVES - SPONSOR ONE OF OUR CATEGORIES AND HELP BOOST THE NORTHERN MUSIC SCENE.

The Northern Music Photography Spotlight is a music photography competition celebrating the photographers, venues and artists who keep the North’s music scene alive. We’re currently looking for sponsors for our categories, and we would love for independent, creativity-driven businesses and organisations to get involved.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

At NMPS, our main priority is to partner with independent businesses and organisations. We’re especially keen to hear from:- Grassroots music venues- Record stores and music shops- Independent shops/businesses- Camera shops and photography hubs- Creative and cultural centres- Music platforms, magazines and promoters who put community firstIf this sounds like you or your business, we’d love to hear from you. By sponsoring one of our categories, you are giving local and UK talent the chance to gain meaningful exposure and be a part of something that celebrates Northern culture.

WHAT SPONSORSHIP INVOLVES

Sponsoring one of our categories means showing up for the creative community in the North and helping photographers get the recognition they deserve. Here’s what’s involved:- Providing a prize for your category - this could be a voucher, tickets, gear, a monetary prize, or something else your business offers.- Your business/organisation name will be attached to the category, featured as the official sponsor.- You’ll be credited across our website, social media and at our exhibition, highlighting our appreciation for your support.- You’ll be invited to our exhibition, where the shortlisted and winning photographers’ work will be showcased. Your support will also be recognised in the space — with your name featured alongside the winning image in the category you’ve sponsored.

AVAILABLE CATEGORIES

Best Live Music Photo
Grassroots Venues
Portrait
Festival
The Crowds

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Interested in sponsoring the competition this year?Email us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS ("RULES")

These Terms and Conditions (“Rules”) govern participation in the Northern Music Photography Spotlight photography competition (“the Competition”). By submitting an entry, each participant (“Entrant”) agrees to be bound by these Rules.This Competition is independently organised and operated by volunteers. It is not affiliated with any commercial entity, and no purchase is necessary to enter or win.

1. Eligibility1.1 The Competition is open to photographers of all experience levels who are residents of the United Kingdom.
1.2 Entrants under the age of 18 may only enter the Rising Talent Award category and must obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian prior to entering.
1.3 If shortlisted, under-18 Entrants must be accompanied by a responsible adult at any exhibition or related event.
1.4 The organisers reserve the right to verify the eligibility of any Entrant.
1.5 The Competition is open to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, or any other protected characteristic. We actively encourage submissions from underrepresented and marginalised communities, and are committed to making the Competition welcoming and accessible to all.
1.6 Entrants may not submit work to a category sponsored by an organisation they are affiliated with. This includes paid staff, regular contributors, volunteers, interns, or anyone with an ongoing working relationship with the sponsor. This policy ensures fairness and transparency across all categories. Entries that breach this rule will be disqualified.2. Entry Period2.1 The official entry period is to be announced soon
2.2 Entries must be submitted within the stated timeframe.
2.3 Late entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
2.4 We recommend regularly checking our website or following us on Instagram to stay updated.3. Categories and Entry Rules3.1 The Competition categories will be announced soon
3.2 Entrants may submit to as few or as many categories as they wish.
3.3 Each category entry must include exactly three images — no more, no less. Entries with fewer than three images will not be considered.One image per nominee will be selected by the organisers to represent that entry in the final judging panel.3.4 Images may be submitted to more than one category if relevant to the theme. However, each category must still include three distinct images to be considered.3.5 If you enter a category more than once, only the first entry will be counted.4. Photo Eligibility4.1 All images must be taken between 01 January 2026 and 31 December 2026.
4.2 Images must clearly relate to the category entered. Unrelated submissions will be disqualified.
4.3 All photos must be taken at music events or venues located in Northern England, defined as:- North East
- North West
- Yorkshire & the Humber (Northern Areas - including North Lincolnshire)5. Image Requirements5.1 All images must be taken by the Entrant alone. Collaborative or third-party work is not permitted.
5.2 By submitting, Entrants confirm that photography was permitted at the event or venue and that reasonable steps were taken to respect the privacy and rights of individuals captured.
5.3 Crowd and performance shots taken in public or ticketed venues are accepted under standard venue photography policies.
5.4 Editing is permitted using any software, including colour grading, tone adjustments, cropping, and noise reduction.
5.5 AI tools must not be used to generate or insert elements that were not present in the original scene.
5.6 Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG or TIFF
5.7 File size: Between 1MB and 15MB
5.8 Image filenames must follow this format: PhotographerName_VenueOrFestival_ArtistName_Date(e.g. JohnSmith_TheApollo_Squid_14-07-2025 or JohnSmith_LeedsFestival_Squid_14-07-2025)You may use the name of a festival instead of a venue if the image was taken at a festival event.5.9 If shortlisted or selected as a winner, Entrants must provide a high-resolution image file if requested for printing purposes:Accepted formats: TIFF or JPEGMinimum file size: 10MBMaximum file size: 500MBThe high-resolution image must match the original submission in cropping and colour.6. Submission InformationEach image must be accompanied by the following details:- Full Name
- Age
- Date image was taken (DD/MM/YYYY)
- Location (Venue + 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.7. Shortlisting and Judging7.1 After the entry period closes, submissions will be reviewed by the organising team to create a shortlist for each category.
7.2 Shortlisted Entrants will be contacted via the email provided during submission.
7.3 Shortlisted and winning Entrants must provide a high-resolution version of the image selected for judging and exhibition.
7.4 Once shortlisting is complete, the final judging panel will select one winner per category.
7.5 The judging panel will consist of photographers, creatives, and music community members. Their names will be publicly listed on the Competition website and promotional materials after the Competition closes and winners are announced.
7.6 Judging will focus on the following qualities:- Emotional impact and storytelling
- Connection to the Northern music scene
- Originality and creative perspective
- Technical execution and clarity
- Relevance to the chosen category7.7 Judging decisions are final. Due to the volume of entries, we’re unable to provide individual feedback or enter into correspondence regarding results.
7.8 Sponsorship does not influence judging outcomes. If a sponsoring venue, artist, or organisation happens to appear in a shortlisted or winning image, this reflects the strength and relevance of the work — not any form of preferential treatment. Sponsorship is a gesture of support for the competition and does not impact the judging process in any way.
7.9 All entries are judged anonymously. The shortlisting team and judging panel will not have access to the names of photographers, venues, or artists featured in submitted images during selection. Judging is based solely on the image content and its alignment with the category criteria.
7.10 The judging panel will include a designated Head Judge, who oversees the final selection process and ensures consistency across categories. Judges are selected for their experience, integrity, and connection to the music and creative community.8. Winners and Exhibition8.1 Winning images will be publicly announced and credited wherever featured — including exhibitions, online galleries, and printed materials.
8.2 Winners may be asked to provide a short written statement about their image or experience, which may be included alongside their work.
8.3 The organisers are committed to celebrating photographers from all backgrounds, including those from rural and grassroots scenes. Selected images will be presented in a way that honours their authenticity and context.
8.4 Entrants will only be contacted via the official email address: [email protected]. Any messages received from other addresses or accounts should be treated as unauthorised and potentially fraudulent.
8.5 All shortlisted and winning Entrants must sign a usage agreement confirming permission for their image(s) to be exhibited and promoted.
8.6 Entrants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form before their image(s) can be publicly displayed or promoted.
8.7 Shortlisted and winning entrants invited to attend the exhibition or related events are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and accommodation. The organisers are unable to provide financial assistance or reimburse expenses unless explicitly stated otherwise.9. Prizes9.1 Each category will be supported by a sponsor from the community — including venues, record shops, and other organisations.
9.2 Prizes will vary by category and may include vouchers, merchandise, exhibition features, or other sponsor-provided items.
9.3 Where prizes are fulfilled by third-party sponsors, the organisers are not responsible for prize delivery, quality, or terms of use. Entrants may be required to accept additional terms from the sponsor.
9.4 Full prize details will be announced closer to the judging period and are subject to change.10. Copyright and Usage10.1 Entrants retain full copyright of their submitted images.
10.2 By entering, Entrants grant the organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use submitted images for:- Exhibition display
- Social media and website promotion
- Printed materials related to the Competition10.3 All images will be credited appropriately wherever used.
10.4 Images may be archived and used for future promotional purposes related to the Competition.11. Data Protection11.1 Personal data collected during the entry process will be used solely for the administration of the Competition.
11.2 Data will not be shared with third parties, except where required for prize fulfilment or exhibition coordination.
11.3 Entrants may request deletion of their data at any time by contacting [email protected].
11.4 By entering, Entrants consent to the use of their name and image for promotional purposes related to the Competition, including exhibition materials, social media, and press coverage.
11.5 Signed consent forms will be securely stored and used only for Competition-related purposes.For more details, see our Privacy Policy available on the website.12. Disqualification12.1 Entries may be disqualified for the following reasons:- Breach of these Rules
- Submission of AI-generated or offensive content
- Failure to provide required metadata or high-resolution files
- Incomplete or corrupted submissions12.2 The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry at their discretion.13. Liability13.1 The organisers accept no responsibility for technical issues, lost or corrupted submissions, or any failure in transmission, hardware, or software that may affect entry to the Competition.
13.2 Participation in the Competition is at the Entrant’s own risk.
13.3 The organisers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death arising from participation in the Competition or use of any prize, except where caused by negligence.
13.4 Entrants agree to indemnify the organisers against any claims, damages, or expenses arising from breach of these Rules, including infringement of third-party rights or failure to obtain necessary permissions.
13.5 The organisers shall not be held responsible for delays or cancellations caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy explains how the Northern Music Photography Spotlight (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects personal data submitted by entrants, sponsors, and community members.We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly and transparently.

1. What We CollectWe may collect the following personal data through competition entries, forms, and communications:- Full name
- Age (for Rising Talent category)
- Email address
- Social media handles (optional)
- Image metadata (date, location, subject)
- Camera used
- Consent forms (for under-18s and image usage)
- Any other information submitted via forms or emails2. Why We Collect ItWe collect this data to:- Administer the competition
- Contact shortlisted and winning entrants
- Credit photographers and promote their work
- Coordinate exhibitions and prize fulfilment
- Manage community board submissions
- Ensure eligibility and obtain necessary permissions3. How We Store and Protect ItYour data is stored securely via carrd, email, and connected services. Consent forms are stored securely and used only for competition-related purposes. Access is limited to the organising team and handled with care.4. Who We Share It WithWe do not share your data with third parties, except:- When required for prize fulfilment (e.g. coordinating with sponsors)
- When coordinating exhibitions or promotional materials
- When legally required to do so5. How Long We Keep ItPersonal data is retained for up to 12 months after the competition endsConsent forms may be retained longer for archival and promotional useYou may request deletion of your data at any time6. Your RightsYou have the right to:
- Request access to your personal data
- Request correction or deletion
- Withdraw consent at any timeContact us at [email protected] to exercise these rights7. CookiesOur website may use cookies to improve user experience and site functionality. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.8. Updates to This PolicyWe may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page and dated accordingly.

COMPETITION RULES

CATEGORIES AND ENTRY RULES

There are seven categories available for entry: Best Live Music Photo, The Crowds, Festivals, Grassroots Venues, Portrait, Rising Talent (Under 18s), and Standout Moment.You may enter as few or as many categories as you like.
- Under 18s may only enter the Rising Talent category.Each entry must include exactly three images per category - no more, no less.
- Entries with fewer than three images will not be considered.
- One image per nominee will be selected by the organisers and shortlisting team to represent that entry in the final judging panel.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 01/01/2026 and 31/12/2026Images 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 (Northern Areas - including North Lincolnshire)Entrants may not submit work to a category sponsored by an organisation they are affiliated with. This includes paid staff, regular contributors, volunteers, interns, and anyone with an ongoing working relationship with the sponsor. This policy ensures fairness and transparency across all categories. Entries that breach this policy will be disqualified.If you enter a category more than once, only the first entry will be counted.

IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

All images must be taken by you alone - no collaborations or third-party workBy 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 TIFFFile size: Between 1MB and 15MBIf selected, winners and those shortlisted must provide a high-resolution TIFF or JPEG if requested 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 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.