Why We’ve Introduced a ‘By Application’ Process for Our Media-Accredited Motorsport Photography Workshops
Our 24H Dubai Motorsport Photography Workshop 2025
Over the past few years, we have seen a sharp rise in photographers actively seeking opportunities to shoot with a media pass, trackside, and beyond the spectator fence. Many are eager to move from capturing images as fans to operating within a genuine professional media environment - but making that jump requires more than enthusiasm. To ensure that those stepping into this space are truly prepared for the standards, expectations, and responsibilities of accredited trackside work, we have introduced a new “by application” process for all media-accredited workshop places.
This change is designed to protect the integrity of the workshop experience, ensure the highest levels of safety, and provide genuine value to those who are ready to take that next step. The blog post outlines further information on why this new process matters.
Ensuring the Right Fit
Media-accredited, trackside access is not an entry-level environment. It requires at least a baseline level of technical competence, situational awareness, and confidence working in fast-moving, high-pressure settings. The application process allows us to confirm that each participant has the appropriate experience, knowledge, and readiness to fully benefit from the training.
This is not about excluding people; it is about setting participants up for success. When everyone in the group operates at a similar level, the learning environment becomes more productive, more focused, and far more rewarding for everyone. This is why we also offer our spectator workshops for those not quite yet ready for this jump to media-accredited.
Designed for Serious Photographers
These workshops are intentionally built for photographers who are serious about motorsport photography - whether they are aiming to improve technically, learn exactly what it takes and means to work trackside with a media pass, understand the realities of professional motorsport photography, or explore potential career pathways.
We go far beyond basic camera settings or composition tips, in fact we start at a point far beyond this. The workshop content delves straight into professional workflows, accreditation processes, editorial expectations, trackside etiquette, and the strategic thinking required to shoot for teams, agencies, and publications. Workshop attendees also learn how to understand a race from a photographer’s perspective: race strategy, how to anticipate key moments, where to position themselves and when to move, choosing the right corners at the right times, shooting in varying light conditions, managing long race schedules, and handling the logistical demands of working trackside.
If you are looking to get stuck in, stretch your capabilities, and learn what it truly takes to operate as a professional motorsport photographer, this is the environment designed for you.
Our 24H Barcelona Motorsport Photography Workshop 2025
Safety Is Fundamental
Motorsport environments are inherently dangerous, not more so than when operating trackside. Working within close proximity to high-speed vehicles demands maturity, discipline, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
The application process helps us assess whether each participant can operate safely - not only for their own protection but also for the safety of teams, drivers, marshals, other media personnel, and fellow workshop members. One person acting unsafely can compromise the entire group; therefore, ensuring preparedness is essential.
It is easy to assume that stepping trackside is simply a matter of being confident with a camera, but the reality is far more complex, and anyone who believes they can navigate that environment without enough of the right experience or proper guidance is, kindly put, underestimating the risks and responsibilities involved. These workshops exist precisely to bridge that gap - transforming uncertainty, guesswork, and that “out of your depth” feeling into genuine competence (I’ve been there myself back in 2016 when I first started - so I know exactly what it feels like!). By learning the correct protocols, expectations, and professional practices from experienced mentors, participants gain the skills and confidence needed to operate safely, effectively, and responsibly in a true media setting.
Creating the Right Environment
These workshops are not just educational sessions - they are the ultimate, hands-on training opportunity. Participants are taught, guided, and coached on how to work trackside with a media pass as an accredited photographer. Opportunities like this are exceptionally rare. When I began my own journey in motorsport photography, structured, real-world access of this kind simply did not exist. This is, if you want it to be - the ultimate motorsport photography career accelerator.
Because the experience is so unique, it is crucial that every participant understands the expectations, the intensity of the environment, and the responsibility that comes with working in a professional media space. The application system ensures that the group dynamic stays focused, collaborative, and conducive to deep, meaningful learning.
Final Thoughts
The “by application” process is not meant to create barriers - it is meant to create opportunity. By ensuring that each participant is ready for this level of access and training, we can deliver a workshop experience that is safe, professional, and genuinely transformative.
For those serious about developing their motorsport photography skills, gaining insight into professional trackside work, and positioning themselves for future opportunities in the intense world of motorsport photography, this approach ensures the workshop remains one of the most valuable, authentic training experiences available any globally.
If you are ready to take that next step, we seriously encourage you to apply.
