Boxing Comebacks, Family & Discipline | Fitness Photography at The Body Academy

There’s something different about photographing fighters.

Not just the training, the sweat, or the intensity — but the stories behind it all. Recently, I had the pleasure of capturing Chris during a Sunday morning session down at The Body Academy, documenting the work going into his upcoming fight.

Chris’ journey isn’t just about boxing. It’s about discipline, family, setbacks, comebacks, and finding purpose again.

He first started boxing around the age of 14 or 15 in Edinburgh before continuing training after moving to Perth. Back then, boxing was more about staying active and sharpening his fitness rather than chasing competition. Over time, his focus shifted into Muay Thai and eventually weight training, where he found a real passion for pushing himself physically.

Over 11 years ago, Chris stepped into the ring twice under SK Boxing, winning both amateur fights before life naturally took priority. Kids, career changes, and working for ScotRail as a guard/conductor meant boxing had to take a back seat for a while.

But fighters rarely lose that itch completely.

Chris always said he wanted to fight again before turning 30, although COVID temporarily put those plans on hold. Training returned to weights and gym life, but recently the spark for boxing came back — and this fight became the perfect goal to focus on after losing an incredible 16kg over the last year.

What stood out most during the shoot was the balance Chris carries every day. Between work, being a dad to two kids, training, dieting, and preparing mentally for fight night, everything has to fit around family life. That’s what makes stories like this relatable — it’s not full-time athlete glamour, it’s real commitment from everyday people chasing personal goals.

The session took place at The Body Academy, a gym that’s played a huge role throughout Chris’ life. Having grown up around Guy and Vicky, the gym has always felt more like family than simply a training space. From hand-picked weight equipment to dedicated boxing facilities, it’s a place built for people serious about improving themselves.

Chris is also proudly supported by several local brands and businesses who’ve backed him throughout this journey.

163 Tattoo, owned by his dad alongside Roxeanne, has been part of his story from the beginning, with every tattoo Chris wears being created there.

HR Labs has also been a long-trusted name in his corner. Having known Liam through bodybuilding circles and family connections for years, Chris speaks highly of the brand’s knowledge around supplements, ingredients, and performance training.

Gym Jams / Phlebotomy Fitness has played a major role too. Working alongside Dane on both diet and training plans helped Chris transform physically over the last year, contributing massively to his 16kg weight loss and overall conditioning ahead of the fight. Gym Jams is also creating his fight kit for the event.

As a photographer, sessions like this are always about more than taking pictures. It’s about capturing the mindset, the atmosphere, and the personality behind the athlete. The early morning grind, the tattoos, the wraps, the bags, the focus between rounds — all of it tells a story.

Whether it’s boxing photography, fitness shoots, gym branding, or athlete portraits, these are the moments that deserve to be documented properly.

If you’re looking for a boxing, fitness, or sports photographer in Scotland — whether in Edinburgh, Perth, Glasgow or beyond — feel free to get in touch to create something authentic that reflects your journey.