About the Youth Music Awards 2026

The Youth Music Awards is the biggest night in grassroots music, and for the past six years we have celebrated in London. However, 86% of our funding goes outside of the capital, equalising access to music for thousands of young people across the UK. So, we know how important and culturally relevant other regions across the UK are. 

That's why, in 2026, the Youth Music Awards is coming to Liverpool. We can't wait to join our community in the North-West to celebrate the projects and people from across the region and beyond, in one of the world's most loved music cities.     
The Youth Music Awards 2026 are open to anyone who has been directly funded via the NextGen Fund or has taken part in a Youth Music funded project since January 2021.

Learn more here - https://youthmusic.org.uk/awards 

About the role

We are looking for three event photographers to bring the Youth Music Awards 2025 to life through engaging photography. 

Working closely with our Communications Team and agency partners, you’ll be our eyes and ears on the ground, from on stage, red carpet and amongst the audience. As well as delivering on a pre-agreed shot list, you’ll be constantly on the lookout for unexpected moments, then co-ordinating with team members and guests to bring them to life. 

Successful applicants will receive a full brief, but responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with experienced press photographers 
• Collaborating with other photographers to deliver full shot list
• Editing and uploading files on location as required
• On site photo shortlisting with Youth Music Communications Team
• Editing and provision of selected photos by EOP Thursday 16 October

This is a freelance contract role for someone seeking paid experience to build a career in the music industries.

Key Timings

• Wednesday 28 October: Youth Music Awards, Liverpool. (You will need to be available on this day between the hours of 10am – 11pm – exact times tbc.)

*You will also be required to attend a half day training with an industry professional around social media. The training will be paid and expenses covered. Date and location tbc.

Fee

• Youth Music Awards 28th October - £300 plus travel expenses
• Training Half Day - £75 plus travel expenses
   

Diversity and equal opportunities 

Youth Music is an equal opportunity and Living Wage employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining diverse candidates. It’s important that our team reflects the communities we serve.

We are currently under-represented by individuals from a working-class background, the Asian/Asian British community and wider Global Majority, Disabled people, the Trans community and people of faith.  

Youth music is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and we are committed to making adjustments that would support disabled people to apply for and carry out this role. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for any disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the post, as outlined in the job description. If you are disabled and would like your application to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, please indicate so in your application.

Please contact jobs@youthmusic.org.uk if you have a disability and/or access requirements or if you wish us to consider any other reasonable adjustments to ensure the interview process is fully accessible.