08/03/2026
Allow me to share my passion for photographing rugby. While I still have a lot to learn, I love the atmosphere at rugby games!
For most of my life, I had never even seen a rugby match. My closest exposure growing up was hearing people talk about Ralph Lauren polo shirts as being "rugby-style" with the horizontal stripe patterns. Later I remember watching the 2008 movie "Forever Strong," which details the life of legendary coach Larry Gelwix. Other than that, I had little to no exposure to rugby or rugby culture.
After covering hundreds of games the past 4 years, I’ve noticed a unique quality in rugby players that sets them apart from other athletes. There is no squabbling over missed calls or whining over injuries. Most players don't care about fame or looking good for the cameras. And most players rarely interact in any significant way on social media. They play out of respect for the history of the sport and a love for the culture.
Since 2022, I have photographed Major League Rugby dozens of times, including being hired to shoot for almost every visiting MLR club. Thanks to my friend, Wade, I was also honored to shoot the 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner. Additionally, I have shot international rugby, including the USA national team (the Eagles). The Pacific Nations Cup tournament across multiple states. My photos have been published worldwide, from Samoa, Fiji, and Japan to France, the UK, and parts of Africa.
This past weekend I got to experience rugby 7's for the first time. This is a fast paced version of the game. It's where each game has 7-minute halves. There were about a hundred teams there across all youth age groups. Here are just a few of my photos. The rest are available through the league. Enjoy!