Daily Mail photographer is honoured for Bondi Beach terrorist attack coverage: Banjo McLachlan is named as finalist in the Kennedy Awards for Outstanding News Photography

Published: 06:36, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 06:56, 31 July 2026 A Daily Mail photographer has been recognised for his bravery and professionalism under fire during the Bondi Beach massacre, being nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Kennedy Award for Outstanding News Photography.  Banjo McLachlan was wrapping up a shift for the Mail at Sydney's iconic beach on December 14, 2025, when two alleged terrorists, Naveed and Sajid Akram, emerged from a car in front of him.  The Akrams then allegedly opened fire at the nearby Hanukkah by the Sea celebration, killing 15 people, including a 10-year-old child, in what is considered the worst terrorist incident in Australian history. As gunshots whistled past his head, McLachlan - a freelancer who regularly works for the Mail - ducked behind a small wall and shot the only high-resolution news photos from that day of a gun-toting Naveed Akram. As McLachlan recounted in a Daily Mail YouTube documentary: 'Everyone was screaming and dropping to the floor.  'My natural instinct was to document this as best I could.  McLachlan captured the defining image of the attack - Akram staring down the barrel of his lens - as well as clear video.  His pictures showed Akram reloading, pivoting, gesturing to the other gunman, and opening fire. Daniel Piotrowski, Daily Mail Australia's deputy editor, said: 'The entire newsroom was in awe of Banjo's bravery that terrible night. 'He chose to pick up his camera and shoot photos and video - the first draft of history - despite the threat to his life.  'His images were nothing short of outstanding and it is very fitting he is being recognised.' McLachlan is listed as a finalist for the Kennedy Award for Outstanding News Photography alongside Sydney Morning Herald photographer Edwina Pickles, who also attended the scene that night, and Sam Mooy, also from Nine newspapers, for images of Ben Roberts-Smith's release from a Sydney remand prison.  The Kennedy Awards are a media awards program dedicated to the memory of legendary news journalist Les Kennedy. Award winners will be selected on August 21.  The surviving Bondi gunman, Naveed Akram, is before the courts.  You can watch our YouTube documentary about Banjo's photography - Documenting The Unthinkable: Coming face-to-face with the Bondi Beach terrorists - here, or on the player above. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.