Part of a new portrait series. Drawing me in closer and closer to the trainers.

And just like that, my time at Tiger Muay Thai has come to a close.  I haven’t posted much on this site, but  that is only because there has been an abundance of material being created and posted elsewhere. Namely on Muaythaiphoto.com and throughout Tiger’s various outlets.  Before touching on any of the work created, I just want to say that Tiger Muay Thai gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and allowed me to essentially live out a major dream of mine.

And from another portrait series of sorts.

For the past three months, my job was to shoot fighters and to train alongside of them, while living in Thailand.  It took me a bit to even wrap my head around this, and my primary concern throughout the trip was making sure I took full advantage of it.  I can’t thank the people at Tiger enough for providing me with this opportunity.

Looking back I am shocked at how my work has changed and evolved not only in the past year, but even since being here.  Having time to focus on my work like never before, time to think, examine, and create has had a clear visual effect on my work, and given birth to entirely new projects within it.

I am proud of the work, and am thinking hard about ways to release, display and share it.  As part of that process I am now doing a video blog series in conjunction with Fury Magazine revealing some of my creative process.  I am in Buriram back at Camp Lookchaomaesaithong for the week, before heading home.  As time frees up I will begin posting on here once again, but will soon be reorganizing, and redesigning all of Figure of Fighting’s web presence as part of the new relationship with 2.One.Fly Productions.  So check back frequently to see whats new.  And once again, thank you to Tiger Muay Thai for allowing me to, very simply, do what I do.

Muay Thai at the speed of light

-A new site that offers viewers one photo a day, and nothing else.  A look at work in progress and some of the more memorable moments captured.  Seen HERE

- A behind the scenes look at my own creative process hosted on FURY magazine

- A few portrait series that I hope will not only offer people a side of fighters and trainers often unseen but also introduce us to familiar yet overlooked figures in our training experience.

- Working with Tiger Muay Thai on a range of project including some new photo based social media work

- A series that will combine some of the latest technologies, and their centuries old predecessor’s  to capture the motions of Muay Thai

-Helping to further develop the production company which now houses Figure of Fighting, 2.One.Fly Productions

- Others that aren’t ready to be talked about quite yet, but trust me, there is a long list.

Recent update:

Me and Tamer Baker, instructor at one of the West Bank’s only Muay Thai gyms

Things have been busy here in the kingdom of smiles and I am doing everything to make sure that the amount of work produced reflects that fact.  And not everything I’ve done recently has taken place right here in Thailand either.

A recent trip to the Middle-East allowed me the opportunity to visit gyms on both sides of the green line in Israel, and in Palestine.  The gym in Ramallah was a profound experience which showed true dedication to learning and sharing Muay Thai under any circumstances.  I even had opportunity to not only photograph, but actually instruct the class, which was my first time doing so.  I can honestly say teaching my first class in Ramallah, Palestine was an experience I’ll never forget, and one that I never expected when I began photographing fighters.

Over in Tel Aviv I had the pleasure of photographing both Ido Pariente and Itzhik Franko as they instructed BJJ and Muay Thai, respectively.  But after the short break, which was primarily for a family affair, I headed back to the great Kingdom of Thailand and got back to work.

Needless to say, theres lots to be done.  Sometimes more than I can keep track of, so instead of boring everyone with the gritty details, I’ve just given a taste of whats to come.

Check back frequently, and dont forget to head over to Muay Thai Photo for daily images.

I was fortunate enough to be in Bangkok while Matt Semper, one of the Tiger Muay Thai fighters who I in fact photographed last year, fought during the kings birthday celebrations.  Matt took a fair amount of damage early in the first round, but brushed it off and came back to secure a dominant win. Check out Matts post fight video blog HERE.

After  last minute change of plans, I then headed to Buriram for the memorial of Camp Lookchaomaesaithong’s founder, Mr. Chotison, who I’ve written about in the past.  I’ll be posting much more about my experience there soon along with some photos and videos.  All I will say now is that I’m still moved by having been a part of this, and simply by being able to see and spend time with what has now become, and what I am proud to call, my Muay Thai family.

And after all this, I have finally made it to Tiger.  For those that recall, I was here for a brief period last year, and have come back to stay for a bit longer this time.  One week simply wasn’t enough, so this time around I’ll be here for about three months.

Tiger has provided me the opportunity to live here, shooting and training Muay Thai full time.  I am hugely grateful for the opportunity to do nothing but what I love, and only hope that I take full advantage of it.  I’m still getting settled back in, and coming up with plans, ideas and strategies, but I plan on doing nothing shy of producing huge amounts of exciting new work.

With Tiger’s help and support, I expect to do things with Figure of Fighting that have simply not been possible up to this point.  So check back frequently and expect nothing but the best.

Muay Thai at the Mecca II: Photos HERE

I apologize for the extreme delay in getting these photos up.  As many know by now, I am now in Thailand, for a significant amount of time, and immediately before leaving had an art exhibit in Los Angeles.  The simultaneous preparation for both left little editing and posting time.

Fortunately though, before it all set in, I was in fact able to attend Take On Productions Muay Thai at the Mecca II.  The event was everything anyone familiar with the promotions work would expect, and was more than deserving of the highly respected venue.

I’m glad that I was able to leave on such a high note and be at the historic event.  Sorry the photos took so long, but hopefully the both tell the story of the event, and all its great fights, and make up for the delay.  Big thanks to Take On for allowing me to do what I do, and for everything they do for Muay Thai.

Photos available HERE

Best of luck tonight to 14 time world champion, the queen of Muay Thai, Julie Kitchen.  I had the honor just the other week to meet Julie and photograph her preparing for tonight’s fight with Muay Thai legend, hall of famer, and trainer of champions, Paulo Tocha.

Watching the two of them train was nothing short of inspiring and humbling.  Huge amount of heart, excitement and motivation on both ends.  After years and years in the sport Paulo’s energy and excitementnever slows.  And after achieving so much as a fighter, Julie’s willingness to continue learning and improving, and her appreciation for those around her, helping her do so, is inspiring in its own right.

I loved everything about watching and photographing these two and wish them the best of luck tonight at Muay Thai in America.

I may be in Thailand now, but I’m still well aware of who’s fighting back home.  With that in mind, I figured I would post these and wish Justin Greskiewicz luck tomorrow night at Muay Thai in America.  I took these awhile ago while Justin was preparing for his recent K-1 appearance.  And, much like these photos, there’s a lot that hasn’t been posted recently or in any type of timely matter.

Its been a busy time, preparing for my show in LA, while also preparing to come over here, where I’ll be for the next few months.  Things like Muay Thai at the Mecca II, and other well wishes to upcoming fighters will be posted in the next few days before the images from here start pouring in.

So check back and stay updated on Figure of Fighting, as I not only reveal yet to be seen material from Muay Thai and MMA back home, and give a unique look at the art right here in Thailand.