Ukrainian Denys Didkivskyi Named Abbey Road Photo Awards Finalist With Shots of Kendrick Lamar and FKA twigs

Ukrainian photographer Denys Didkivskyi has been shortlisted for the international Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2026, with his work recognized in two categories: Portrait and Emerging Photographer of the Year, as reported by Suspilne Culture on August 5.

“For me, this was incredible news because I had wanted to apply for this competition for several years. To be shortlisted immediately, and in two categories, is truly special. I have followed these awards for a long time, and I don't remember a photographer being represented in multiple categories simultaneously. So this is a major achievement and a very meaningful personal moment for me,” Didkivskyi told the outlet.

According to the photographer, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards are among the world's most prestigious honors in music photography and represent a major professional benchmark.

“In the professional community, it is truly one of the key benchmarks—there is hardly another competition with this level of influence and reputation. For me, this is a very important milestone, and of course I hope to make it to the final and perhaps even win.”

According to the outlet, Didkivskyi’s shortlisted work in the Portrait category features a series of photographs of Ukrainian singer Alina Pash.

“For me, this series is not only about portraiture but also about representation. It is important to show that Ukraine today is also a country of strong contemporary culture. That is why I chose these photographs from everything I shot over the past year. There is a certain symbolism in it: a Ukrainian photographer photographing a Ukrainian artist, and that work receiving international recognition,” Didkivskyi said.

In the Emerging Photographer of the Year category, the photographer submitted a concert photography series featuring performances by Kendrick Lamar, FKA twigs, Doechii, Charli XCX, and Loreen.

“I chose artists who genuinely inspire me and who, in my opinion, are shaping both the musical and visual landscape today. I built this series as a single story through mood, color, and form. I am drawn to darker, richer color palettes, working with silhouettes, and emphasizing details. Ultimately, the series reflects how I see the artists who are shaping culture today,” he said.

Didkivskyi added that each image was intended to highlight the individuality of its subject, from Doechii’s gaze and Loreen's futuristic aesthetic to Kendrick Lamar's silhouette, Charli XCX’s more vulnerable image at the close of her Brat era, and the physicality and movement of FKA twigs' performances.

Among the judges are British singer Raye and Italian vocalist Damiano David, both of whom have been captured by Didkivskyi’s lens during their performances.

The finalists will be announced in August, while the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on September 24, 2026.

The recognition follows another major international achievement for a Ukrainian photographer. Roman Pilipey was recently named the 2026 National Photojournalist of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association in the United States for his body of work documenting Ukraine over the past year for Agence France-Presse.

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