Saturday night – Aberdeen Muay Thai Awards

Saturday evening was all about spotlight and celebration as I photographed a private event for the Aberdeen Muay Thai yearly awards night. The room was full of energy, pride and a genuine sense of community as both junior and adult fighters were recognised for their hard work over the past year. From shy smiles to confident grins, the award winners brought a great mix of emotion to the images. Capturing families, coaches and fighters together made it clear this club is built on more than just competition – it’s respect, support and shared graft.

Sunday – Wet, cold and relentless at Alford

On Sunday, the scene couldn’t have been more different: Alford astroturf pitches, grey skies, wet conditions and a biting cold that never really lifted. Perfect football weather… if you’re on the touchline with a camera, at least. The challenges were less about low light and more about keeping gear dry, fingers working and timing right as the rain came and went.

Donside v West End – Statement win

First up was Donside v West End, and Donside absolutely stamped their authority on the game with a 6–0 win. They handled the conditions far better, moving the ball quickly, pressing with intent and never letting West End settle. From a photography point of view, their dominance made for plenty of action: sliding tackles sending up spray from the surface, determined runs down the wings and a steady flow of chances in front of goal. The scoreline reflected the performance – controlled, confident and relentless.

Donside v Glentanar (U13) – A true contest

The final match of the weekend was Donside v Glentanar at U13 level, and this one had a very different feel. Glentanar edged it 4–3 in what turned into a real battle between two committed sides. Rather than one‑way traffic, it was end‑to‑end football with momentum swinging back and forth. Every goal seemed to spark an immediate reaction from the other side, which made for fantastic sequences to capture: celebrations at one end, regrouping and determination at the other. More important than the result, though, was the quality of the game – it was simply a great advert for youth football, full of effort, skill and heart from both teams.

Wrapping up

From the focused intensity of fighters being honoured for their dedication on Saturday night to the grit and passion of young footballers in tough conditions on Sunday, this weekend had a bit of everything. It’s exactly the kind of variety that makes sports photography so rewarding – different stories, same commitment, all in front of the lens.Regards night to the grit and passion of young footballers in tough conditions on Sunday, this weekend had a bit of everything. It’s exactly the kind of variety that makes sports photography so rewarding – different stories, same commitment, all in front of the lens.