Featured image: Alison Hall

Future Media Production student Gracie Hall takes home top music photography award

A Manchester Metropolitan University student has claimed a top national photography award, winning the Photographer of the Year title in the music category at the London Camera Exchange 2025.

Gracie Hall, a BA Future Media Production student, impressed judges with her dynamic shot taken at a Deadletter gig at Band on the Wall in Manchester. Selected from over 10,000 entries, Hall was also named joint runner-up overall in the competition, which celebrates emerging photographic talent.

Hall’s winning shot features Deadletter’s lead singer reaching out to members of the crowd in a scene akin to Michaelanglo’s Creation of Adam. The shot was taken during her second time photographing the band, known for their intense crowd engagement.

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Hall said: “I’ve always loved how interactive their lead singer Zac is with the crowd. Shooting non photo pit shows means I get to document it from the crowd’s perspective.

“I love moving around and moving with the mosh pits, and this photo was truly taken at the right place at the right time. I’m still shocked that I managed to get it.”

Hall joined aAh! Magazine’s live photography team back in October 2023, and has since photographed artists such as Pearl Jam, Jacob Collier, Pale Waves and festivals including Neighbourhood Weekender, and Slam Dunk North.

Passionate about intimate gig spaces, Hall predominantly covers smaller indie venues for aAh! Magazine and was first published after photographing Joker Out at Club Academy. In 2024, she won aAh! Magazine’s Student Media Award for Student Photographer of the Year, with her work described as “hugely talented” and “transformational” for the magazine’s music coverage.

In September 2024, Hall was featured in aAh! Magazine’s The LEGACY Issue as part of a spotlight on rising photography stars.

Speaking to aAh!, she shared her love for non-barrier gigs: “I really enjoy working at YES Pink Room because of the amazing lighting. Non-barrier gigs are my favourite to work, because the first gigs I ever went to were emo-rock shows – plus my camera is super light so I can get away with being in mosh pits!”

Before her award-winning shot at Band on the Wall, Hall first captured Deadletter at YES, producing dramatic images of the band and the raw passion of the night, with the members crowd-surfing, roaring, and riling up the mosh pits.

Reflecting on her award, Hall said: “Winning an award on this scale for my photography is super validating and also just really, really cool! I was nominated against so many fantastic photographers, I still can’t believe I actually won.”

Hall credits aAh! Magazine for playing a key role in her development and helping her to build confidence: “aAh! Magazine has played a huge part in my journey as a photographer and I wouldn’t have won this award without their support and the confidence I’ve gained from covering shows for the magazine!”

Looking ahead, Hall is eager to continue capturing live music, with festival season on the horizon: “I’m just excited about being able to keep shooting shows! I love live shows and taking photographs and I can’t wait to continue this! I’m looking forward to festival season this year and potentially being able to shoot some of my favourite artists if all goes well.”

The London Camera Exchange 2025 competition celebrates the creativity and skill of budding photographers and offers an opportunity to showcase their talent, gain national recognition, and compete for major prizes.

Follow Gracie on Instagram @gracroc.