Snapshots and Scrummages: A Highly Enjoyable Journey of Photography at Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club in Suffolk, England!
JUNE 14, 2023
"Rugby is a game that's played with passion and heart. It's about giving everything you have for your teammates and leaving it all on the field." - Martin Johnson
Welcome, fellow shutterbugs and rugby enthusiasts! On our blog today, we embark on an journey through the lens, as we delve into the wacky world of professional-level photography at the Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club.
Chapter 1: The Encounter. Our adventure begins at the start of the season in 2022. We arrived for the 1st team match to take some casual pictures from the sidelines. We then found out that there was no club photographer on site for the match. Armed with our trusty cameras and a shared love for rugby, myself and my rugby mad son (Boo) and I decide to capture the raw intensity and breathtaking athleticism of the Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club 1st team. Little did we know what awaited us!
Chapter 2: The Learning Curve. Being thrown in at the proverbial deep end, we realized that our previous experience in sports photography was as limited as a rugby field's sidelines. Undeterred, we approached the players and coaches, eager to learn about the nuances of the game. As it turned out, rugby was more than just a bunch of burly men (and women!) chasing an oval ball—it was a symphony of tackles, lineouts, and scrums. Our learning curve had more twists and turns than a player dodging a tackle!
Chapter 3: Capturing the Essence. With newfound knowledge, we ventured onto the pitch, cameras in hand, ready to capture the perfect shot. The first challenge? Keeping up with the players' speed! Our legs had never worked so hard, darting from one end of the field to the other, like energetic gazelles in a paparazzi chase. We soon realised that our chosen profession was also a great workout!
Chapter 4: Unintended Moments. As the game progressed, our quest for the perfect shot uncovered some hilarious moments. From players' expressions caught mid-tackle (did you know that even the toughest rugby players make silly faces?) to unfortunate ball fumbles, we captured it all. The memory card filled up faster than a post-match pub after a resounding victory.
Chapter 5: The Beauty of Teamwork. One of the most surprising aspects of our photography journey at Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club was the camaraderie among the players, coaches, and fans. We quickly have become a part of the rugby family, celebrating the victories, mourning the defeats, and enjoying the post-match banter. Our photo gallery began to reflect not only the fierce competition but also the incredible bond that makes rugby such a special sport.
Chapter 6: Laughter and New Perspectives. As we reviewed our shots though the season, we couldn't help but burst into fits of laughter. The unexpected expressions, mid-air contortions, and the occasional muddy mishap brought endless joy. Who knew that capturing moments of sporting prowess could also double as a stand-up comedy show?
Our escapade into the world of professional photography at Bury St. Edmunds Rugby Club for our first season was an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, learning, and a newfound appreciation for the game. We may not have achieved the technical mastery of Ansel Adams or the elegance of Henri Cartier-Bresson, but our photos captured the essence of rugby, both on and off the field. It makes us so proud to see them used all around the club and all over the players and families social media feeds. So, grab your camera and embark on your own sporting photographic journey—it's time to capture the world and enjoyment of the great sport that is Rugby...and you can start as we did at the great Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club!