Rugby asks a lot of a team: resilience, teamwork and no small amount of grit. I was given a fantastic opportunity to document a very special match involving the Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Rugby Club, here in Suffolk.
The Premise
The idea was simple. I would take portraits of the Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Rugby Club senior team straight after a gruelling 80-minute match. This was never about winners or losers. I wanted the raw emotion: the fatigue, the cuts, the bruises and the muddy faces after a cold, wet and windy Suffolk afternoon.
The Match
They played Woodbridge in a game full of the ups and downs that make rugby so watchable. They lost, but their spirit was far from it. I had pictured grumpy, cold, defeated faces after a tough result. The reality was the opposite.
What I found was an upbeat, enthusiastic group, all happy to have their portraits taken. They didn’t look like a side that had lost. They looked like men who had fought a battle they were proud of. The smiles were hard to suppress, and I kept having to remind them they were meant to look like they’d just lost.
The Studio
I set up a temporary studio in the club’s equipment room, a space still under renovation. It was the perfect spot to photograph the players the moment they finished. They walked off the pitch, through the back door and straight in front of my lights.
The process was quick and efficient, and it gave me the authenticity I was after. Photographing the men in their most genuine state, seconds after the final whistle, made all the difference.
The Team Behind the Scenes
A project like this needs willing organisers. My thanks go to club president Kevin Stannard and team captain Matthew for their help in setting up this unusual shoot.
I’m grateful too to everyone at the Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Rugby Club who took part. Their willingness was crucial, and they were all great sports. This was an all-or-nothing job, and the whole team came through.
Conclusion
Photographing these Suffolk rugby players was a genuine pleasure, full of surprises. The sportsmanship, the camaraderie and the honest emotion came through in every frame.
As a portrait photographer I’m always after more than a face. I look for the story behind the eyes, the history in a smile, the life in a glance. This project let me do exactly that. You can see more of my work in my portfolio.
Whether it’s a match, an event or a personal portrait session anywhere in Suffolk, feel free to get in touch. I’d be glad to help you capture the moments that matter.
