Travelling the world of excitement and photography in Harro’s ‘Defining Moments’

Mt Buller’s renowned photographer, Tony ‘Harro’ Harrington has launched his own fabulous record of world-wide snow, surf, people and places photographs in his recently published - “Defining Moments". Defining Moments is a gob smacking 1352-page coffee table book, a thrill ride through hundreds of inspiring images and stories captured over decades of Harro’s extraordinary and nomadic life spent chasing storms, swells and adventure. Defining Moments brings together a vast collection of Harro’s work into one hefty volume with powerful images and inspirational stories. The photographs are hypnotic and each one represents a unique moment, both for Harrington and for the subject in the cross-hairs of his lense. “I first started shooting as a 16-year-old,” Harro said when talking about his book. “No idea why. "I was inspired by the monthly surf magazines, surf movies on the big screen, and the stories we’d listen to from our elders down at the beach every morning and afternoon about exotic, far away destinations, cultures and waves. He has been described as a ‘unicorn’ in the photography world as the only professional to hold a formidable global reputation for his mastery in both big waves and big mountains - for more than 30 years. “People always ask me what ‘do I love shooting more - surf or snow’ - I love them both equally,” Harro said. “They are exact opposites but share many similarities with culture, history, adventure and adrenalin. “Being out in 50-60+ft surf or a massive Alaskan mountain peak is very addictive. “I’ve been fortunate to put in my time and invited into these realms of the extreme and work with many exceptional high-end athletes and after crews. "It’s not just something you can do out there and do by yourself. “My year is based around the seasons of surf and snow in their respective parts of the globe.” From June to September Harro lives on Mt Buller. “For a month either side of this I’ll be found camping all around the Australian coastline shooting surfing,” he said. November and December Harro spends time in Hawaii for the big waves season, January and February between Jackson Hole in Wyoming, USA and Chamonix, France with March and into April in Alaska. “There will often be “strike” missions to many other surf and snow destinations in between these, depending on a storm or project I’m working on at the time,” Harro said. Not content to focus solely on surf or snow he moves seamlessly between these two demanding disciplines, pushing his creativity, his body and mind in relentless conditions. “I’ve just turned 60-years-old and I have absolutely no plans to slow down," he said. “I’ve never chased awards in my photography or joined photo associations etc, more so I’ve been invited to participate. “Through that I’ve won Powder Magazine “Photo of the Year”, Red Bull Snow Thrill of Alaska awards, several Crystal Awards in snowboarding in St Moritz Switzerland and St Anton Austria and many finalist awards in the Billabong Big Wave Awards celebrating surfers catching some of the biggest waves ever surfed at the time. “The journey over the years has led to many front covers on some of the world’s most prestigious adventure lifestyle magazines.” Harro related that his photographs have been printed many, many metres long and high and hung in train stations in both Melbourne and Sydney as Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand marketing campaigns, billboards, retail centres globally for surf and snow brands. “But what I’m most passionate about is the emotive connection my artwork brings to people who have my artwork on the walls of their homes and offices around the world,” Harro said. “It’s nice to hear the positive comments from people viewing my artwork hanging on the hallways and in the rooms of the Chalet Hotel on Mt Buller, and my quaint little Gallery in the Village Square of Mt Buller. “ Join Harro on a journey that began in a quiet Australian coastal town with a small waterproof camera and unfolded into an international quest to wild and remote places driven by an appetite for adventure, adrenaline and ambition. “Defining Moments” a 1352-page tome of 40+ years chasing surf and snow around the world and shares intimate insights from decades as a creative nomad and the challenges and struggles that come with the choice to pursue an unusual and extraordinary life. “It’s truly fired me up to keep travelling and documenting natures finest moments,” Harro said. Harro’s Gallery in Mt Buller Village is open 7-days a week during the Mt Buller snow season and 247 year-round on www.harroart.com “I love nothing more than creating good memories and people love the family portrait and action shoots we do on Mt Buller, they can contact me in the Gallery and The Photoshop Mt Buller,” he said.

Travelling the world of excitement and photography in Harro’s ‘Defining Moments’

Tolmie Music Festival a rockin’ success

Young poultry judge pursues his passion

Life membership honours Gill's contribution to the arts

Fun, sun and fireworks

High Country art show provides winning form

Rufous Whistler – arrival of a summer songbird

Bombers go back-to-back in A grade

“No stone unturned” – Police committed to the long-haul in manhunt

Start your engines, Wilby Drags are back

Most popular stories