How to Become an F1 Photographer: My Journey with Williams in 2025
Becoming an F1 photographer is a dream many photographers chase, but few understand what it’s really like to work inside a Formula 1 team. In 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to join Williams Formula 1 team as their official team photographer. Over my first season, I covered 20 races, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and multiple driver shoots. The experience taught me that Formula 1 photography isn’t just about cars - it’s about capturing stories, emotions, and human moments that happen behind the scenes.
In this post, I’ll share exactly what it takes to become an F1 photographer and what the role of a team photographer really looks like.
What a Team Photographer Does in Formula 1
Many people assume that all F1 photographers shoot cars on track. In reality, team photographers have a completely different role. My job at Williams was to shadow the drivers and capture moments throughout the entire race week, including:
Content slots – planned shoots for social media and sponsors
Media duties – press interviews and official team events
Practice, qualifying, and races – photographing drivers in the garage, paddock, and occasionally on the podium
Working closely with drivers like Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, I quickly learned that building trust is essential. Drivers need to feel comfortable with a camera in their face, whether they’re preparing in the garage, climbing into the car, or driving out. When a driver trusts you, you can capture moments that are raw, authentic, and impossible to stage.
Some of the most surreal experiences came on podium days, where the energy, celebration, and emotion are unlike anything else in motorsport photography. These are the moments that make Formula 1 photography so unique.
How I Became an F1 Photographer
For photographers wondering, “how do I become an F1 photographer?” the answer isn’t simple, but it comes down to three main things:
1. Build a Portfolio That Tells Stories
Teams aren’t looking for someone who can just shoot cars. They hire photographers who can create stories and evoke emotion from fleeting moments. Your portfolio should show that you can capture candid, authentic human experiences - whether it’s a driver’s focus before a race or a team’s celebration in the paddock.
2. Network with Team Content Producers
Getting your work in front of the right people is critical. Team content producers are the ones who hire photographers for F1 teams, and they want to see that you can deliver high-quality images under pressure. This is where persistence, professionalism, and relationship-building pay off.
3. Prove You Can Handle High-Pressure Environments
F1 weekends move fast, and team photographers need to be in the right place at the right time. Drivers and team staff have no time to deal with distractions, so demonstrating that you can work efficiently, stay out of the way, and still capture incredible shots is essential.
Why Garage Photography Is More Valuable Than Trackside
Contrary to popular belief, the most coveted spots for a Formula 1 photographer aren’t trackside. Agencies like Getty Images and DPPI handle track photography, capturing cars racing at 300 km/h. Team photographers, on the other hand, spend most of their time in the garage and paddock - and this is where the most valuable moments happen.
Inside the garage, you witness the human side of the sport:
Drivers preparing for a race
Engineers walking drivers through the race strategy
Mechanics working at lightning speed to prepare cars for each session
Emotional celebrations after a podium finish
Being inside the team environment gives you access that few photographers will ever experience. In my first season with Williams, these were the moments that truly defined my work.
Tips for Aspiring F1 Photographers
If you’re serious about becoming an F1 photographer, here are my top tips:
Focus on storytelling, not just action shots – Teams want photographers who can capture emotion, relationships, and atmosphere.
Build trust with subjects – Whether it’s drivers or team staff, your ability to work professionally and respectfully is invaluable.
Get your work in front of content producers – Networking and persistence often open doors more than luck alone.
Learn to work fast and efficiently – Race weekends are hectic. Your ability to adapt and react to moments is key.
Don’t underestimate garage photography – This is the heart of Formula 1 photography, where the real stories unfold.
The Most Rewarding Moments
Looking back at 2025, the moments that stick with me weren’t just the races or the cars - they were the human interactions:
Watching Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon prepare for a race and getting the occasional fist bump before they climb in the car.
Being with the drivers as they walk onto the Fan Forum stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. Barcelona was insane!
The podium in Baku! Wow - that was a moment.
Filming Carlos and Alex during hilarious content slots, where their true character comes out.
These are the experiences that make being a team photographer in Formula 1 so unique.
Final Thoughts on Becoming an F1 Photographer
Becoming an F1 photographer isn’t just about shooting fast cars - it’s about storytelling, trust, and seizing fleeting moments. By focusing on building a strong portfolio, networking with team content producers, and demonstrating professionalism, you can position yourself to work inside the most exclusive environment in motorsport.
Check out Rob’s F1 photography here.
