Sometimes sport transcends boundaries and becomes a moment in history, marking more than just that moment and touching not just sporting fans.

To capture that so eloquently through still photographs is a gift. 

People across our region can now see that gift first-hand through the work of one of the best sports photographers in Australia, which is now on display at Horsham Regional Art Gallery.

Framed in Footy: AFL Photography by Michael Willson will feature at the gallery until October 4, just days after the AFL season wraps up.

Willson’s photographs certainly capture moments in football that have become bigger than the game.

While there are the brilliant action shots – a soaring mark, the heartbreak of defeat and the premiership celebrations – it is Willson’s photographs away from the action that are arguably his best, and appeal to more than just AFL fans.

He is fortunate enough to have access to the quiet moments behind the scenes that supporters rarely see.

The photographs capture a gamut of emotions – from the joy of Richmond captain Trent Cotchin inviting his daughter to sing the team song after winning the 2019 premiership to a picture of Joel Selwood and his brother Scott holding hands at their brother Troy’s funeral, which Willson describes as ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever had to shoot’.

There is also arguably Willson’s most famous work – his photograph of AFLW footballer Tayla Harris.

The photo of Harris kicking for goal – one leg high in the air while the other leg is off the ground – attracted a barrage of online bullying and became a key moment in addressing sexism against women in sport.

Titled ‘The Kick’, the photograph went on to win a Gold Quill at the Quill Awards for Excellence in Victorian Journalism, as well as winning the Professional category at the inaugural Women in Sport Photo Action Awards.

Horsham Regional Art Gallery is well known for showcasing the art of photography – and on this occasion the exhibition will have a wide-ranging appeal.

At the opening on Friday evening, Willson spoke about the fact his photographs are rarely seen in the printed form now, since the rise of the digital world.

“The great thing about an exhibition, I feel, is we get to consume them as prints,” he said.

“So often now we look at pictures just on our phones, on our iPads, on our TVs, whatever it may be – rarely do we see printed pictures now. The print quality and the framing – it just reveals details that your phone doesn’t.

“If you see a picture tonight, I urge you to kind of look again because you might see something you didn’t notice the first time, and that’s the great thing about printed pictures.”

Horsham is only the third venue to host the exhibition – following in the footsteps of Swan Hill, where Willson grew up, and Benalla.

As a long-time fan of Willson’s work, it was such a delight to see this exhibition in Horsham.

Do yourself a favour and pop into the art gallery to see his work for yourself.

The entire June 10, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!