Death of popular award-winning Highland News and Media photographer aged 58
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To thousands across the region, multi award-winning photographer Gary Anthony was the popular and visible face of Highland News & Media.
Following his death aged 58 after a long illness, the talented and highly-respected lensman is mourned by his family, friends and colleagues, as well as the wider community to which he was intrinsically linked through his work.
As the man behind the lens, he captured dramatic moments of history in the making, recorded people's triumphs and tragedies and observed day-to-day life – often to a tight deadline but managing to bring an artistry to his images
His flair and instinct for capturing eye-catching pictures resulted in him winning many accolades including Highlands and Islands Journalist of the Year in 2014.
Yet, as past and present colleagues pay tribute, many recall him as being unassuming and modest about his achievements, describing him as "a gentleman".
Glasgow-born Gary began his career more than 40 years ago as a freelance, working on assignments across Scotland and in Europe, including the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, his work appearing in national newspapers.
He joined Scottish Provincial Press – later Highland News & Media – in 2007 and became chief photographer in 2013.
His work included breaking news stories such as dramatic blazes, covering the pomp of civic occasions and fun of community and sporting events, snapping people from government ministers to people enjoying a night out in the city centre or capturing a poignant moment with an evocative and sensitive image.
If it was happening in the area, Gary was often there.
He had a way with people coaxing the most reluctant of subjects to pose for the camera but was also prepared to stand his ground when the moment demanded it.
He was passionate about his craft, striving for perfection, working out how to get a better angle and would not leave a job until he was satisfied he had done his best under the circumstances.
Detail, quality and presentation mattered to Gary and colleagues were left in no doubt over his views if a photograph was not used as well as he thought it should be.
He scored a hat-trick at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards in 2014, scooping the prestigious Journalist of the Year gong along with Photographer of the Year and Top Shot of the Year prizes – just a week after he picked up the Scottish Provincial Press Photographer of the Year award.
His top shot was a silhouetted image of then Inverness MP Danny Alexander and Alistair Darling launching the local Better Together campaign at a business breakfast in Inverness while his entries included an action shot of north heavyweight boxer Gary Cornish landing the knock-out blow against Paul Butlin.
In 2019, his portfolio earned him the title of photographer of the year at the Highlands and Islands Media Awards awards.
Steve Barron, managing director of Highland News & Media, said: "Gary was a first-class colleague who was passionate about his craft. Gary's demand for high standards won him the respect of colleagues, peers and readers.
"Our thoughts are with Gary's family at this most difficult of times for them."
One former colleague said: "Gary was a gentleman. Enjoyed working with him so much."
Another said although he would have laughed, the word "gentleman" suited him. "Kind, quiet and humble, despite his talent. Happy to let others talk, but he had fire in him when he needed to stand up for his team."
Another said: "Such a brilliant guy and was always a pleasure to work with."
