Fight! Magazine sent me to shoot portraits of Randy Couture and some of the top fighters that train at his Xtreme MMA gym. It is always amazing to see people at the top of their game, but add in kindness, generosity and charm and you have …Randy. Ryan Couture, Randy’s son is super cool and has his own style. I shot the pros training and sparring together in an intense 2 hour session. The roster of guys who train there is really impressive. I was running barefoot through puddles of man sweat that covered the floor. These guys are performing at such a high level it is remarkable. It’s not just men there either. Randy’s wife Kim has started competing and was training just as hard as the men. What impressed me about everyone there was not only their focus and discipline, but that they were smiling and enjoying it bloody noses and all. The bottom line for me is it takes courage….courage to just show up and work out at this level. Courage to step into the octagon with some one you know is going take it all the way and bring everything they have to it. I love the portraits of all the fighters and how their personalities really show through. A huge thank you to the Couture’s for their generosity of letting me be there and to Randy and the fighters for their time during important training for the great images!
