Artist Focus | Rumble Snaps-Capturing the Chaos: Inside the Lens of Wrestling Photographer Stuart Weight

If you’ve ever been to a Kumite Combat show, you’ll know that it’s not for the faint-hearted. The lights, the blood, the roars of the crowd – and right there in the middle of it all, crouched by the edge of the ring, camera in hand, is Stuart Weight, better known by his creative alias Rumble Snaps. We caught up with Stuart at one of Kumite’s infamous “Deathmatch” events, where he was leaning right up against the apron, glass under his elbows, capturing the raw energy of Derby’s wildest wrestling night.

Based in Stourbridge, Stuart’s ringside photography has become a fixture at some of the Midlands’ most exciting wrestling promotions. “It’s handy as most of the promotions I work for are all within 40 minutes of each other,” he explains. Over the last three years, he’s turned what began as a spontaneous moment behind the camera into a passionate and thriving creative pursuit.

“It all started when my daughter began wrestling training nearly three years ago,” he tells us. “We went to one of their shows, and I’d taken my camera along and sent them some photos. A month later, their regular guy cancelled, and they asked if I’d step in. I’ve been shooting for them ever since.”

From that point on, his work behind the lens took off. What began as a proud dad’s hobby quickly became a professional calling, leading to gigs with multiple promotions across the region and eventually a spot with Kumite Combat, one of the UK’s most unique and extreme wrestling promotions. “Deathmatch wrestling is totally different from shooting your family-friendly shows,” he says. “The intensity of the matches and the crowds is unrivalled. I really get a kick out of knowing I’ve nailed a shot in a big spot of a match – it’s very addictive!”

Capturing Chaos and Emotion

There’s something special about how Stuart captures wrestling – not just the moves, but the moments in between. “At the start, I was quite trigger-happy, shooting thousands of images a show,” he admits. “Now it’s about capturing emotion. I’m looking for the reaction afterwards – the facial expressions, whether they’ve won or not, the big kickout from the opponent… that’s where the magic is.”

His evolving approach has brought an artistry to his photography that stands out in a genre often seen as purely action-focused. One of his proudest moments came when he saw his wrestling photography displayed in the Birmingham Museum – a recognition that solidifies his work as more than just sport documentation; it’s art.

Another deeply personal highlight came from photographing his daughter in the ring. “Getting to photograph my daughter last year when she made a rumble appearance was special,” he recalls. “She’s still young and not had a full debut yet, but getting a picture with her facing off against Lana Austin, who’s one of the best women on the British scene, will be something I’ll never forget.”

Behind the Barriers and Broken Glass

Anyone who’s seen Rumble Snaps in action knows he’s not afraid to put himself in danger for the perfect shot. During one Kumite show, a wrestler launched sweets into the crowd – one struck Stuart’s camera, breaking it mid-show. “Thankfully I had a backup, so it was a quick dash to the back to swap gear,” he laughs. “I’ve been cut a few times, I’ve pulled glass out of my elbows weeks after a Kumite show too! It’s all good fun – I love the buzz of being ringside.”

Lighting challenges, unpredictable movement, and flying debris are all part of the job, but Stuart embraces it. “Lighting definitely is challenging at times, but I see that more as creating something a little different and testing myself,” he says. That relentless drive to adapt and evolve is what sets his work apart.

Passion Meets Grit

His inspiration comes from the wrestlers themselves – their resilience, their artistry, and their dedication to performance. “Seeing how hard the wrestlers work and put their bodies on the line every week really inspires me. It’s a very tough business, but regardless of the injuries and punishment, everyone just seems to bounce back! That inspires me to go and get the best shots for these guys,” Stuart explains.

It’s that mutual respect between photographer and performer that fuels his creativity. “I like that I can create and collaborate with everyone, where we can share both of our works in one place.”

What’s Next for Rumble Snaps

Currently, Stuart is shooting shows almost every weekend across the Midlands and already has his sights set on new creative projects. “I’ve thought about doing some Kumite baseball cards for next season,” he says. “Hopefully I can get that sorted before we go again next year!”

His advice for aspiring photographers is as grounded as it is heartfelt: “Try and tell a story in your work. Really get the emotion across and create a connection with the viewer.”

And that’s exactly what he does – every photo tells a story, every shot captures a split-second of chaos, heart, and intensity. Whether it’s a blood-soaked victory, a split-second reversal, or a quiet moment of exhaustion, Rumble Snaps brings pro wrestling to life in a way that few others can.

To see more of his work or follow his upcoming projects, you can find him on:
Instagram: @rumblesnaps85
X: @rumblesnaps85
Facebook: Rumble Snaps
Email: [email protected]

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