Ukrainian Photographer Lands Two Shortlist Places at Abbey Road Music Photography Awards

Denys Didkivskyi Makes the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2026 Shortlist Twice

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Ukrainian photographer Denys Didkivskyi has been shortlisted in two categories for the 2026 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards: Portrait and Emerging Photographer of the Year. His portrait series of Ukrainian singer Alina Pash, shot in Los Angeles in 2025, along with concert images from performances by Doechii, FKA twigs, Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, and Loreen, are competing for the prize. Finalists are due to be announced in late August, and the awards ceremony will take place on September 24 in London. The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards honors the best in music photography from around the globe.

The Competition and the Works

Didkivskyi entered the Portrait category with his series of portraits of Alina Pash. Speaking about the project, he said:

“For me, this series is not just a portrait-it’s about representation: it’s essential to show that today’s Ukraine is also a strong, contemporary culture.”

He added that the photographs he chose carry symbolic meaning, because “a Ukrainian photographer is shooting a Ukrainian artist, and this work is being recognized internationally.”

For the Emerging Photographer of the Year category, Didkivskyi presented a concert photography series featuring work from performances by well-known artists such as:

• Doechii
• FKA twigs
• Kendrick Lamar
• Charli XCX
• Loreen

Only 15 works made the shortlist in each category, which shows how stiff the competition is. This year’s contest attracted more than 24,500 submissions from 40 countries-25% more than the previous year.

The jury is led by British photographer Rankin and includes eminent figures such as Nile Rodgers, Raye, Damiano David, Lily Fontaine, and Hikaru Utada. Since its founding in 2022, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards has also hosted exhibitions, festivals, masterclasses, portfolio reviews, and mentorship programs to support the growth of music photography.

Didkivskyi expressed both excitement and pride in the honor, saying:

“This was incredible news for me, because I had wanted to enter this competition for several years. So to make it onto the shortlist right away, and in two categories, is truly special.”

The achievement highlights not only his skill but also the growing significance of Ukrainian culture in the international arena.

Didkivskyi’s shortlist placement signals the rising global interest in Ukrainian artists. It also points to the importance of cultural exchange and the opportunities that an international platform can provide for Ukrainian culture. His recognition may inspire other Ukrainian photographers and creators to continue working in their field and seek new ways to express themselves on the world stage.