I haven’t shared photographs in a while.

And honestly, it’s simply because I desperately needed some downtime. Although, naturally, even that hasn’t quite gone to plan, with my kiddos taking turns to work their way through a fair share of medical issues. I digress.

Both of my boys are young Leopard Cubs, so one Saturday afternoon, having just finished shooting for a client, I decided to pop by and take a couple of photographs. Just because. And, if I’m being completely honest, purely out of pride for my boys’ school, knowing how much it would mean to them.

But as I stood on the side of that field, camera in hand, I was reminded that there is so much more to this than rugby.

Behind the bravado of these tough young men are sensitive souls who love this game deeply. Young men who carry not only their own dreams, but, in some small way, the dreams of every little boy watching them from the sidelines, wondering if one day that could be them.

There are doors opening. Futures are bright. Opportunities are growing.

But perhaps what struck me most was something deeper.

Togetherness.

Standing together, regardless of differences. Different backgrounds. Different stories. Different lives. On that field, none of that matters quite as much.

Here, we are simply part of one pride.

And perhaps that is the real spirit of the Leopard Cubs.

Ubuntu.

I am because we are.

Graeme College #photography #leanagildenhuys #ubuntu #southafrica