Weekend Warriors

There’s something about weekend warriors that keeps me coming back.

For more than a decade, I’ve spent countless weekends photographing people doing what they love. People who dedicate hours to training, getting fitter, chasing personal bests or simply preparing for their next adventure.

Most will never become elite athletes or household names. And that’s probably not what they’re chasing anyway.

For some, it’s about staying healthy. For others, it’s the friendships, the community or having a good excuse to get outdoors with like-minded people.

I reckon that’s why I connect with these people so easily. In many ways, we’re not that different.

While they’re chasing personal bests, I’m chasing moments. The determination, the landscapes, the camaraderie and those genuine smiles that say more than words ever could.

Two events. One weekend. Plenty of kilometres.

Last weekend was a pretty good example of what I love about this work.

Friday and Saturday found me in Mudgee photographing the Graveleur Marys Mayhem gravel cycling event. Mike Israel and the Graveleur crew know how to put on a great event, with 320 riders taking to the country roads for a weekend of wind, dust and good times.

From behind my Nikon Z8 to the aerial perspective of my drone, there was no shortage of moments worth capturing. Riders winding through the countryside, dusty roads, smiling faces and the atmosphere back at the event centre.

As the dust settled and the post-ride beers wound down, I packed up the van and headed for Canberra. Another five hours on the road, another group of weekend warriors and another early start.

A new day. A different kind of warrior.

Sunday, 4:30am. The alarm goes off. Breakfast, gear sorted, e-bike loaded and off to the Sole Motive Run Canberra Half Marathon.

Different sport, different location, but very much the same spirit.

Thousands of runners took to the streets of Canberra, with Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament House providing a fantastic backdrop.

My job was much the same. Capture the vibe, the nervous energy, the determination, the encouragement from spectators and the joy of crossing the finish line.

For me, event photography is about more than a great action shot. It’s about anticipating moments and capturing the entire experience, giving people a sense of what it felt like to be there.

A shared mindset

This was my second event photographing for both Graveleur and Sole Motive, with more already booked for 2027. It’s always rewarding to return, see familiar faces and build on those relationships.

I might be carrying cameras rather than chasing a race result, but the motivation isn’t all that different. I love the outdoors, discovering new places, meeting people and challenging myself to create something better each time.

There’s always another event, another location, another story worth telling.

And as long as people keep turning up on weekends to do what they love, I’ll be pretty happy turning up alongside them, camera in hand.

Here’s to the weekend warriors.