ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
I acknowledge the Gadigal and Bidjigal peoples of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways where my family and I live, grow and work. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Australia always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
ABOUT
Every month, an envelope would arrive. It wasn’t addressed to me, but I opened it anyway.
It was my parents' subscription to National Geographic, and I was hooked.
During my time completing a graphic design degree at RMIT Melbourne, I realised I didn’t want to pursue graphic design as a career. However, the knowledge I gained about design elements, principles, art history, and typography laid the foundation for my journey into storytelling and photography.
For a while, I lived on a couch in Southern California, surfing and eating burritos. I worked in-house for some of the big surf brands. Until I met a girl and followed her to the Southwest of France, where I learned French and we stayed for three years.
In 2015, I completed Award School to refine my ability to bring ideas to life, along with a film directing course in 2024 at the AFTR's to enhance my storytelling skills and transition still images into motion.
They say it takes 10 years to call yourself a ‘local’. Well, I’ve been in Sydney for 13 years now, so I guess I’m a local. During this time, I've had the privilege to work with some of the best agencies, production companies, brands and crew in the country.
My favourite things are: Early mornings, coffee, good people, and cold beer at the end of a great day. Generally in that order. If you've got a great idea you want to chat about, let’s grab a coffee or cold beer. I'm buying.
- Will
CLIENTS
Adidas, Akubra, Ausgrid, Bellroy, Destination NSW, Dettol, Doordash, Kellogg's, Lego, Lifeline, Mastercard, Mirvac, Nintendo, NRMA, NSW Department of Education, Optus, RM Williams, Safework NSW, Sekisui House, Universal Music, Uber, Westpac, and World Wildlife Fund.
CONTACT
instagram // +61 400 129 061 // info@willhartl.com
AWARDS
Lurzers Archive 2025 / 2026
Top 200 Ad Photographers Worldwide 2025 / 2026 Edition
International Photography Awards 2025
- Advertising / Brand Campaign - 2nd Place
- People / Children - Honourable Mention
International Photography Awards 2024
- ‘Enduring Hope’ : People & Lifestyle - Official Selection
- ‘Enduring Hope’ : People & Lifestyle - Honourable Mention
PX3 2024
- Fine Art / Landscape - Honourable Mention.
Australian Photography Awards 2024
- ‘Enduring Hope’ : Documentary - Shortlisted
- ‘Changpa Nomads’ : People - Shortlisted
Production Paradise - Spotlight Awards 2024
- ‘Changpa Nomads’ : Travel, Documentary and Landscape - Finalist
- ‘Enduring Hope’ : People & Lifestyle - Finalist
ND Awards 2024
’Changpa Nomads’ : Editorial / Documentary - Honorable mention.
The Capture Awards 2024
- ‘On the banks of Tso Moriri’ : Finalist - Landscape & Environment category.
- ‘Thin air, thick skin’ : Finalist & Top 15 - Documentary & Street category
- ‘Enduring Hope’ : Finalist & Top 15 - Portrait & People category.
- ‘Dark side of the Pond’ : Finalist - Art & Conceptual category.
- ‘Rushing Past’ : Commended Award - Documentary & Street category