The wedding of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon

At the lodge in Canberra.

Saturday 29th November 2025.

2024 Rural Press Photographer of the Year

This photograph won me the Rural Press Photographer of the Year award for 2024 from the Rural Press Club of Australia. The Super moon rises over Canola Field beside the Old Gundagai Road near Cootamundra on the southwest slopes of NSW.

Tuesday 17th September 2024. Guardian Australia.

Garma Festival 2024

Yolngu red flag dancers from Numbulwar dance on the Gulkula ceremonial grounds at Garma 2024. It’s held each year in East Arnhem Land.

Sunday 4th August 2024. Guardian Australia.

Dust storm approaches the highway near Balranald

In the midst of a crippling drought in the Murray region of far south-western New South Wales, Australia. The town of Balranald is located where the Sturt Highway crosses the Murrumbidgee River in a remote, semi-desert area.

Wednesday 12th December 2018. Guardian Australia.

Welcome home

Emotional scenes as the Nadesalingam family arrive at Thangool aerodrome to a warm welcome from the locals. Priya and Nade with their daughter Tharnicaa are embraced by jubilant locals as they exit the terminal.

Friday 10th June 2022. Guardian Australia.

North Beach, Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey

Pic shows. With Ari Burnu, the point at which Australian Troops first landed at Gallipoli and traditionally the focus for Australian Dawn services, in the background, bugler David Shadforth from the Australian Army Band at Victoria Barracks in Sydney rehearses the Last Post at the New ANZAC Commemorative site, which will be dedicated at this year’s Dawn Service.

Pic for General News.

Bill Shorten

Opposition leader Bill Shorten at a town hall meeting at the Albert Hall in Canberra this evening.

Thursday 2nd March 2017. Guardian Australia.

A young GAM

"Free Aceh Movement", a separatist soldier with a tame bird that has adopted the soldiers since the Tsunami struck the coast on the 26th December 2004. Picture taken in their camp in the Hills near Banda Aceh.

Friday 14th January 2005.

Canola

Outside Harden-Murrumburrah on the South West Slopes of New South Wales, the canola crops come into full bloom.

Monday 19th September 2022.

BRA Platoon Commander Rommy Joel

Arawa, Bougainville: Pic shows: BRA Platoon Commander Rommy Joel rides shotgun in no-man’s land between BRA and PNGDF-controlled zones on the coast road between Kieta and Arawa in Central Bougainville.

Pic for special on Bougainville.

2022 Finalist National Photographic Portrait Prize

Stella Fernando is on the banks of the Gwydir River, where her grandson Gordon Copeland, a 22-year-old Gomeroi man, was last seen.

Tuesday 27th July 2021.

Election 2016

Opposition leader Bill Shorten handles a baby croc during a visit to Maningrida, 500km east of Darwin, this morning.

Friday 27th May 2016. Guardian Australia Election 2016.

2020 National Sheep Dog Trial Championships

Held 11th-15th March at Hall Showgrounds in the ACT. Laurie Slater and Zeefree Marlon are in the top twenty final.

Sunday 15th March 2020. Guardian Australia.

Author portrait for Journalist and crime writer Chris Hammer

Chris re-released his non-fiction book The River in 2024. It documented his journeys along the Murray-Darling River and was the inspiration for much of his crime writing.

The Opposition taunt the Prime Minister Tony Abbott

With the headline from the Herald Sun newspaper, "Bowser Bandit" during question time.

Wednesday 29th October 2014. The Guardian Australia.

Storm on the Hay Plains

Between Narrandera and Hay.

Monday 28th February 2022. Guardian Australia.

A herd of wild Brumbies

On the plains above Kiandra in the Kosciuszko National Park.

Monday 4th August 2014. For a special report on Brumbies by Gabrielle Chan for Guardian Australia.

The Working Dog Challenge

At Carcoar, NSW. Megan Rutherford and "Mars" in the Sheep trials.

Saturday 25th November 2023. Guardian Australia.

Kangaroos

Compete for the small amount of water which remains in the outfall at Lake Cawndilla near Menindee, NSW.

Thursday 17th January 2019.

2022 Deni Ute Muster

Deniliquin, NSW. The bullriders get ready out the back of the stockyards.

Friday 30th September 2022. Guardian Australia.

2014 Finalist National Photographic Portrait Prize

I’ve been lucky enough to be a finalist in the National Portrait Prize (National Portrait Gallery Canberra), held annually 3 times over the last dozen years.

For this photograph of Tony Abbott, which I shot for the portrait prize, I took a leaf out of my many cartoonist friends’ playbook. I wanted to strip back as many recognisable details as possible from the portrait and still have the subject immediately recognised.

Kosovo Refugees

A new influx of Kosovo Refugees crossed the border at Morina into Albania. Still defiant after many days on the road, they give the Victory sign as they head for the massive refugee camps at Kukes in Northern Albania.

Pic for Age and SMH.

The Darling River at Louth NSW has ceased to flow due to drought

Children with their dogs swim in the deeper pools around the bridge near the town.

Tuesday 20th February 2018. Guardian Australia.

A thunderstorm passes over Parliament House Canberra

Late Thursday, 30th September 2021. Guardian Australia.

Dust storm over the Menindee cemetery

Friday 18th January 2019.

Dust storm at Menindee

Friday 19th January 2019.

Dust storm at Menindee

Friday 18th January 2019.

Pelicans on the Darling River

Below weir 32 near Menindee, NSW.

Thursday 10th January 2019.

2020 Finalist National Photographic Portrait Prize

Prime Minister Scott Morrison sits alone during voting on the Medevac legislation in the last sitting week of 2018. At the time he only held the balance of power in the lower house by a very slim margin, and had to rely on the independents on the crossbench to maintain his grip on power. Behind in the polls and facing an election early in the new year, he seemed to have the weight of an entire nation riding on his shoulders.

Sunset at the Paroo River

On the West Wilcannia-Tilpa Road.

Tuesday 18th May 2021. Guardian Australia.

An electrical Storm passes over the vast Nullarbor Plains

As a road sign warns drivers to avoid hitting Kangaroos, wombats and Camels beside the Eyre Highway near the Great Australian Bight between the Nullarbor Roadhouse and Eucla in South Australia.

Photograph taken in 2018. Australian Bight, Nullarbor Plain.

Sunset over the Paroo River

On the West Wilcannia-Tilpa Road.

Tuesday 18th May 2021. Guardian Australia.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

After the repeal of the Carbon Tax legislation at a press conference.

Thursday 17th July 2014. The Guardian Australia.

Sunset over Menindee Lake

Wednesday 19th May 2021. Guardian Australia.

asmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson

Senator Peter Which-Wilson’s office diving on bleached and dead staghorn coral off Heron Island.

Saturday 27th April 2024. Guardian Australia.

Checking on the extent of coral bleaching

Marine Biologist and Emeritus Professor at James Cook University, Terry Hughes (left), with Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, inspecting the coral around the Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. They were checking on the extent of coral bleaching on the reefs around the island.

Saturday 27th April 2024. Guardian Australia.

Paroo River

Flowing on the West Wilcannia-Tilpa Road.

Tuesday 18th May 2021. Guardian Australia.

The night sky over Uluru

After the first full day of the climbing ban.

Saturday 26th October 2019. Guardian Australia.

A snowstorm engulfs a flock of sheep

In a snow-covered field on the Monaro High Plains beside the Adaminaby-Berridale back road this evening.

Wednesday 9th June 2021.

Rainbow over the Riverina Highway

Outside Howlong, NSW.

Saturday 1st October 2022. Guardian Australia

Police remove an anti-genocide protestor after they disrupted the House of Representatives.

18th March 2024

Sheep in a snow-covered field

A snowstorm engulfs a flock of sheep in a snow-covered field on the Monaro High Plains beside the Adaminaby-Berridale back road this evening.

Wednesday 9th June 2021.

On his way to see the coral bleaching on the reef

Marine Biologist and Emeritus Professor at James Cook University, Terry Hughes (left), aboard a research inflatable from the Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef, on his way to see the coral bleaching on the reefs near the island.

Saturday 27th April 2024. Guardian Australia.

Uluru at sunset

Monday 9th October 2023. Guardian Australia.

Final day of climbing at Uluru

After the wind delayed the start to 10 am, climbers are allowed to start the ascent on the final day of climbing at Uluru.

Friday 25th October 2019. Guardian Australia

Mike Bowers is an Award-Winning Australian Photographer

A man with light hair and wearing a grey blazer holds a camera, sitting against a dark background.

He’s also an author, regular commentator on ABC Radio, and the host of ABC’s Talking Pictures on Insiders.

Mike Bowers spent 39 years in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery and has covered multiple worldwide conflicts.

He’s been a finalist in the NPPP (National Photographic Portrait Prize) 3 times, won 2 Nikon Photographer of the Year awards, as well as the 2012 Kennedy Award for Outstanding Photographic Essay and more.

Last year, he curated a major exhibition at the National Library in Canberra celebrating the early history of photojournalism from the late 1890s to around 1940 (and brought out a book about it).

Mike Bowers’ Books

Historical black and white photograph of scientists working on a part of a spacecraft or missile in a laboratory or workshop. The image is featured on a book cover titled 'Fit to Print' by the National Library of Australia.

Book cover titled 'Armageddon: Two Men on an ANZAC Trail' showing a sunset with a city skyline, a church steeple with a weather vane, and television antennas, with a quote from Bryan Dawe.

Cover of a book titled "Century of Pictures" with a black-and-white photograph of an Australian flag being held by a man on a beach, with a group of people standing behind him.

Cover of a book titled 'The Big Picture: Diary of a Nation,' published by The Sydney Morning Herald. The cover features a black-and-white photograph of a diver mid-air above a bridge. The author's names are listed on the right side.

Cover of the book 'Gallipoli: Untold stories from war correspondent Charles Bean and front-line Anzacs,' featuring a historical black-and-white photograph of soldiers during wartime, with some seated among supplies and others standing in the background.

See all of Mike's Books →

Prime Minister elect Anthony Albanese

Addresses the party faithful with Penny Wong, Jodie Haydon and Nathan Albanese at the election night function at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL club for Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Australian election.

Saturday 21st May 2022. Guardian Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce

Arrives at Parliament House in Canberra.

Tuesday 15th August 2017. Guardian Australia.

Beijing Olympic Games Day 9

The moon rises over the Olympic cauldron at The National Stadium in Beijing, known as The Bird's Nest.

Photograph taken on Saturday evening, 16th August 2008.

Horsley Park RFS Crew

The captain of Horsley Park, Darren Nation, watches his team extinguish a garage on a property near Potato Point on the NSW South Coast.

Thursday 23rd January 2020. Guardian Australia.

Deni Ute Muster

Deniliquin NSW. The bullriders get ready out the back of the stockyards.

Friday 30th September 2022. Guardian Australia.

The 2023 Parkes Elvis Festival

Celebrating 30 years with the theme "Blue Hawaii", one of the headline acts of the festival, Elvis tribute artist Victor Trevino Junior, performs to a sell-out audience at the Leagues club.

Friday 6th January 2023. Guardian Australia.

Bron Powell

Project Manager for the Central Murray Darling Basin for Ozfish, a non-government organisation at the Macquarie Marshes.

Monday 20th February 2023. Guardian Australia.

2021 Floods NSW

The Myall River has broken its banks and flooded Stroud Street in Bulahdelah, NSW.

Sunday 21st March 2021. Guardian Australia.

Indigenous members of the 47th Parliament

On the eve of the opening, they gather on the mosaic on the forecourt of Parliament House, Canberra.

The full credit for the artwork is: Kumantye Jagamara (c.1946–2020), Luritja and Warlpiri peoples, fabricated by William McIntosh, Aldo Rossi and Franco Colussi, Forecourt mosaic pavement, 1986–1987, Art/Craft Program, Parliament House Art Collection. © The artist’s estate licenced by the Aboriginal Artists’ Agency Ltd.

From left, Jacinta Price, Gordon Reid, Jana Stewart, Kerrynne Liddle, Malarndiri McCarthy, Linda Burney, Pat Dodson, Dorinda Cox, Jacqui Lambie.

Monday 25th July 2022. Guardian Australia.

Not Now Not Ever-Former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott

At the unveiling of her official portrait in Parliament House, Canberra.

Wednesday 24th October 2018. Guardian Australia.

Total lunar eclipse

The headlamps of climbers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge shine below a total lunar eclipse.

27th August 2007

Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull

At a press conference in the blue room of Parliament House, Canberra where he announced changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Double exposure in the camera. Tuesday 21st March 2017. Guardian Australia.

Menindee Lakes system

Sheep get stuck in the muddy outfall of Lake Cawndilla, a part of the Menindee Lakes system.

10th January 2019.

Prime minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

On the forecourt of Parliament House in Canberra this morning, while making appearances to sell Budget 2020 on morning TV programs, which all have studios set up on the front lawns.

Wednesday 7th October 2020. Guardian Australia.

The mouth of the Murray River at dawn

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson

Warms her toes after playing in the politicians’ state of origin rugby league contest between Queenslanders and New South Welshmen on the Senate Oval of Parliament House, Canberra.

Wednesday 21st June 2017. Guardian Australia.

Penny Wong

Breaks down after the announcement of the same sex marriage survey this morning in Parliament House, Canberra.

Wednesday 15th November 2017. Guardian Australia.

5th annual Winter Solstice nude charity swim

Swimmers gather on Yarralumla Beach on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra on the shortest day of the year.

Monday 21st June 2021.

The Tombstones on the Western Front

Grave of an unknown Australian Soldier from WWI at the AIF cemetery, North of the village of Fleurs on the Somme in Northern France.

January 2011.

SES Rescue

An SES swift water rescue boat attends to Brian Russell's car after rescuing him from his flooded vehicle along Blacktown Road near Richmond, west of Sydney.

Monday 4th July 2022. Guardian Australia.

South Australian senator Nick Xenophon

Horses around for the camera with boxes in his office in Parliament House in Canberra.

Thursday 26th October 2017. Guardian Australia.

Barnaby Joyce

Before question time in the House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra.

Wednesday 3rd February 2021. Guardian Australia.

Nyampa Elder Beryl Carmichael

At her home in Menindee, NSW.

Wednesday 19th May 2021. Guardian Australia.

The Nadesalingam family

In their new home in Biloela, Priya and Nade with their daughters Tharnicaa (left) and Kopika.

Saturday 11th June 2022. Guardian Australia.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke

Portrait for cabinet paper release.

Embargoed until 1st January 2014. Story by Gabrielle Chan for Guardian Australia.

Independent MP Bob Katter

Dressed in a pig suit, walks through the press gallery to publicise a press conference on a bill to reduce supermarket dominance in Parliament House, Canberra this morning.

Wednesday 28th February 2024. Guardian Australia.

Freediver Callum Stewart

In the first light of dawn at his favourite beach, Burrewarra Point, Guerilla Bay on the NSW South Coast, he is holding the swimming fin from his encounter with the Great white shark.

Thursday 8th December 2022. Guardian Australia.

Triathlete Emily Tapp

At the AIS pool in Canberra.

Friday 18th June 2021. Guardian Australia.

Journalist and Author Gabrielle Chan

On her sheep and wheat property on the South West slopes of NSW, Australia.

Monday 28th June 2021.

Graeme Freedman

Sips his coffee in front of the caravan where he has lived while rebuilding his home on a hilltop in Wandella near Cobargo on the NSW south coast this morning. Mr Freedman lost his house when bushfires destroyed the area on New Year’s Eve 2019.

Monday 1st November 2021. Guardian Australia.

Associate Professor Mark Lintermans

From the Institute of Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra measures the silt buildup in the Upper Cotter River after fires tore through the Namadgi National Park in late January.

Wednesday 10th June 2020. Guardian Australia.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson

During question time in the Senate Chamber of Parliament House, Canberra.

Monday 22nd February 2021. Guardian Australia.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese

With his dog Toto after a day campaigning on the central coast of NSW.

Tuesday 26th April 2022. Guardian Australia

The Opposition leader Anthony Albanese

At a press conference in a courtyard of Parliament House, Canberra.

Friday 3rd September 2021. Guardian Australia

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese

Campaigns in Eden-Monaro with Labor candidate Kristy McBain. He holds a chicken on Epic Chicken Farm owned by Dan and Lyndal Tarasenko, it was heavily impacted by fires that destroyed stock, fencing and buildings in early January 2020 near Quaama, NSW.

Wednesday, May 27th 2020. Guardian Australia.

Balmoral potter Steve Harrison

Outside his burnt-out pottery studio and kilns, the Green Wattle Creek fire swept through his village on Saturday afternoon. Steve sheltered in a makeshift shelter made from old kiln insulation as the fire swept through his property.

Monday, 23rd December 2019. Guardian Australia.

Uluru traditional owner Sammy Wilson

On his country at Patji, on the evening that the Uluru climb closed.

Friday 25th October 2019. Guardian Australia.

Surfer Nick Hopkins

He lost his house during the summer fires on McKenzies Beach at dawn on the South Coast of NSW near Malua Bay.

Tuesday 15th September 2020. Guardian Australia. Story by Kieran Pender.

Malua Bay Surfboard Repairer

Barry 'Baz' Whiteman on McKenzies Beach with the blackened trees from the summer fires behind him on the South Coast of NSW.

Tuesday 15th September 2020. Guardian Australia. Story by Kieran Pender.

June and Richard Tarlinton

At their home on a Dairy property named “Berwen” at Wandella near Cobargo, NSW. Fire raced across their farms in the early hours of 31st December 2019.

Sunday 20th December 2020. Guardian Australia.

June and Richard Tarlinton

At their home on a Dairy property named “Berwen” at Wandella near Cobargo, NSW. Fire raced across their farms in the early hours of 31st December 2019.

Sunday 20th December 2020. Guardian Australia.

Mike Bowers
Photo Essays

A young indigenous boy, a Yolngu red flag dancer from Numbulwar dance on the Gulkula ceremonial grounds.

The devastating aftermath of a street in the Bandah Aceh Indonesia Tsunami

A dreadlocked soldier holding a gun. BRA Platoon Commander Rommy Joel rides shotgun

The devastating aftermath of the Black Summer Bushfires. The only thing standing is a chimney stack

Photo Essays →

Fit to Print Exhibition

Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive
Curated by Mike Bowers

Held at the National Library of Australia: 27 Feb - 20 Jul 2025

A line of suited photographers patiently waiting for their shot

Herbert H. Fishwick & Fairfax Corporation, Line of photographers ready to photograph Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, at Government House, Sydney, 1920, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162931011

Fit to Print Exhibition →

Mike Bowers is an Award-Winning Australian Photographer

Mike Bowers’ Books

Mike BowersPhoto Essays

Fit to Print Exhibition

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Mike Bowers
Photo Essays