For 10 years the Mark Gunter Photo Awards have been raising funds for cancer research
Award-winning cycling photographer, Mark Gunter, said his aim was to capture the ‘truth, passion and emotion’ of life in his shots. Following his death at age 41 in 2015, his wife, Leeanne Gatien, was determined to see that wish continue.
“Mark thought deeply about his work,” says Leeanne, of Mona Vale. “He loved to capture emotive moments and he was great at it. He was an artist.”
Ten years ago Leeanne launched the Mark Gunter Photo Awards competition, a ‘fusion of art, sport and giving back,’ in his honour. She invited amateur and professional photographers from across the globe to submit shots that ‘embody the energy, emotion, and artistry of cycling.’
The awards now attract up to 400 entries from over 40 countries and are judged by a professional panel. “I wanted to do something to keep Mark’s memory alive,” says Leeanne. “I wanted something tangible for my son Lucas to know about his dad, so he could have something to hold onto, to be proud of, and to share in his love of cycling and photography.”
All proceeds go to cancer research charities, including Tour de Cure, with more than $76,000 raised over the last decade – no small legacy for Mark.
Born in the NSW Snowy Mountains’ town of Cooma, Mark spent his early years in Bandung, Indonesia, where the vividness of everyday life inspired his first shots. A passion was born, and, following a photography course at the Canberra Institute of Technology, he was soon capturing major sporting events, including the Winter Olympics.
But it was his love for the drama and beauty of cycling that saw his career move into the fast lane.
At the women’s stage race, the Tour de Snowy in Cooma, he met Cyclingnews photographer Tom Balks, who urged him to help cover a round of the Track World Cup in Sydney. Smitten, he went on to capture the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, and soon became the go-to cycling photographer for Australian and international press.
He was hired by the prestigious Agence France Presse and Getty Images, and his work appeared regularly in publications including Ride Magazine and Bicycling Australia.
Cadel Evans won the first Tour de France Mark photographed in 2011
Cadel racing on the Tour de France in Paris, as shot by Mark
Mark’s striking profile of disgraced American cyclist Lance Armstrong graced the cover of David Walsh’s book Seven Deadly Sins, and he won the Best Photo Award four times at the annual Cycling Australia awards. “I could always tell how well he’d done for the day by the sound of him editing photos,” Leeanne remembers. “Fewer clicks meant he was happy.”
At Leeanne’s encouragement, Mark ‘lived his dream’ of travelling to Europe to cover the 2011 Tour de France: ‘the most important thing a specialist cycling photographer can do.’ The stars aligned and Australia’s Cadel Evans won, leading to Mark’s acclaimed photography exhibition ‘Cadel 24/7.’
Leeanne and Mark were flying high, travelling, living in New York and London. They welcomed son Lucas in their 2013/14 ‘year of living.’
Leeanne Gatien with son, Lucas, 10
But it wasn’t to last – Lucas was just 15 months old when ‘kind, funny and relaxed’ Mark died after a short battle with cancer, in November 2015.
Husband, father, world-traveller, decorated photographer and loyal friend – Mark managed more than most in a lifetime – all with his characteristic quiet dedication. He is remembered by his family and many fans of his work as ‘capturing the beautiful side.’
Entries for the 2025 Mark Gunter Photo Awards open on 6 December and close on 5 January 2026.
Enter, vote for the fan favourite or donate to Tour de Cure at markgunter.com.au
