A day in the life of an F1 photographer

A lot of people ask me what it's like to shoot Formula One professionally. Well, let me tell you about a typical day (or 3) at the track, and the track I’ve chosen is the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. I'll run you through my F1 photography kit, what it takes to be a professional f1 photographer, and how a 2022 F1 race weekend works for me. I can guarantee you that this obscure job is a lot more difficult and time consuming than you think. This is a day in the life of an F1 photographer.
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Follow my journey as an F1 photographer here • My Journey as an F1 Ph...

[@angus_m]

This channel deserves a million subscribers. Onwards and upwards Kym!

[@KymIllman]

Tell the world please Angus

[@KlaximumSkroeft]

Get that man another Porsche

[@al-noorsomani5529]

I totally agree ,

[@enderfanggamer798]

Love the vids

[@antonoat]

Very impressive how you’ve gone from a relative F1 novice not too long ago to someone who’s at the very top of their game and producing work the equal and often better than many others out there. Big respect Kym and thank you for sharing it all with us, cheers from the UK.👏👍😀

[@KymIllman]

Much appreciated!

[@aidanmcwall4191]

Your stream deck system is absolutely genius, as a programmer I can fully appreciate the simple genius of that

[@KymIllman]

It's a great addition to my workflow

[@leskopeter593]

Thanks for the behind the scenes info and all the rest you're providing us kym. Appreciate the content!

[@KymIllman]

Always happy to provide the content!

[@ethbrumhall2423]

Loved seeing you at AUSGP this year Kym, love your work!

[@matteotorre2023]

Congratulations for your hard work...and thanks a lot to share it! Wow it seems so stressing your job!!

[@CW43.editz_]

Love the video kym it was amazing

[@chaitanyapantula6481]

Thanks Kym for giving us an insight to the amazing things happening behind the screen and television. And fingers crossed for 200K!! Enjoying these videos 👍

[@nicholaslam831]

Love all ur video ! Keep up the good job !

[@muhammadad1943]

Love keeping up with you man, photographys never been my thing but watching your travels, interactions and videos is now part of my race weekend routine

[@kleinedwin6389]

i like the details of your preparation before the race

[@HoopleHeadUSA]

Love these!

[@haj78]

thank you for sharing and staying passionate ✌🏻🇸🇪

[@markolar3161]

Love the content! 👍🏼

[@kamiltupatowicz5161]

Amazing piece, thanks a lot!

[@simonbooker]

Great insights Kym with cool delivery

[@duarantes2077]

Thanks to share 🙌🏻📸❤️

[@CieranW_04]

Great vid Kym, I would love to become an F1 photographer one day so it’s great to get some insight into how it works

[@jorgenjanssens5705]

Great video. Loveto see how you work.

[@mnieuwhof]

Wow... thanks for sharing... really cool!

[@CaptainLicorice]

I just started to get back into photography and while I have an extremely small budget, I really enjoy all your videos and they have helped motivate me!

[@Lfilpo]

Kym thanks for the great content.

[@coraautumn1130]

Thanks for the clear and detailed video Kym! I spotted you around the track at Albert Park but didn't want to interrupt or annoy you, you sure were a busy man all weekend!

[@alfonsopartida901]

Mi Amigo Kym Great description !!! Saludos desde México

[@royeusebio5462]

Your work Kym is awesome watching here in the Philippines

[@hungrybearphotography]

Thanks for the great behind the scenes insights. would love to work as a f1 photographer but now i know at least how it is to be one. love your videos. cheers from Austria :)

[@stevenpam]

You must bloody love what you do Kym, because I wouldn’t even want to do this once, let alone a dozen times a year! Thanks for the insight.

[@xRicCi]

Wow amazing video! Talk about a busy weekend! Hope to see you at Montreal!

[@alankerrigan3635]

WHAT A GREAT RUN DOWN OF YOUR PASSION/ JOB

[@thompanilla]

Thanks for sharing, Kym. I love hearing the story behind the scenes and all that's involved in you capturing all of those amazing images. Keep up the great work, Buddy!

[@KymIllman]

You are so welcome

[@VinilPlus]

Felicidades. Saludos desde Tlaxcala, México.

[@mcschnurke]

So glad to have found you last year, keep up the work and thank you for the content :)

[@KymIllman]

Thanks, will do!

[@johnmcnaughton6808]

One of the most interesting and best sports videos I have watched.

[@tbgsport]

Started using the Stream Deck about six months ago and it is the best thing I’ve ever added to my kit

[@davispowers229]

Awesome stuff Kym! Your workflow and pictures are amazing

[@KymIllman]

Glad you like them!

[@psvale1440]

Thank you Kym for the particular cable you told us in the video... I've already ordered one 😁

[@denishazonfcpx3022]

Class ..amazing footage and photos

[@KymIllman]

Many thanks!

[@josiasmoreta8863]

thanks

[@nikolajf]

Nicely done!

[@markfitzurka9995]

I am always fascinated with your kit. Love the behind the scenes.

[@KymIllman]

Thanks so much!

[@MattyH73]

Great insight Kym, fantastic video

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carloslezcanoelorza]

Fantastic Job !!...Best Regards from Argentina !

[@jayraj5459]

Not as easy as it looks sir and i think this speaks truckloads of your passion for the sport. its always a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@KymIllman]

Thanks, glad you enjoy watching them

[@coffeebot3000]

I've never thought about what an F1 photographer's day is like. I never even thought of that as a photography career choice. But, man, you made it sound exciting. Thanks.

[@waynearchibald3920]

WOW! Very cool!

[@KlaximumSkroeft]

Love the content Kym, can't wait to see you at work someday at Spa.

[@IainMCooke59]

Very interesting indeed!

[@buselakeju]

Thank you Kym for stunning video and sharing your experience day by day as F1 PHOTOGRAPHER !!

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure!

[@al-noorsomani5529]

You are absolutely a super star, I love your work and I never knew how much stress goes behind the camera, Keep up the great work and all the very best,

[@KymIllman]

Thank you! You too!

[@Luna-cf3op]

Very well said quick and without any long stories. I like your style.

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@carlosayusolaslenguas5185]

Lovely to see content this specific! Do you know any cheeky spots for amateur photographers in MLB? This year I didn’t even bring my gear to the race day as in practice realized how difficult is to shoot with general admission tickets! Too many fences, to far away! :( They even put fencing in the marshals spots to photograph the back of the cars this year!

[@danielvining]

I love these kinds of videos. As a motorsports photojournalist, its very interesting to see how others do it. Many of your tips, or things you share, makes its way all the way down to the local asphalt short track level here in the United States! Thanks Kym!

[@KymIllman]

Glad to hear!

[@frazhassan]

Phew!!! That’s a lot of work. Great job mate. New Subscriber.

[@lindacreighton4439]

I have learned so MUCH👍🏻📷

[@Burito26]

Thanks for doing this!

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure

[@devinthiart1681]

Great video! Love your workflow. - Could you do a video on your stream deck and setup?

[@malcolmross3782]

Hello Kym, very good video showing the intricate details required for a three day F1 weekend. Unfortunate news about your 600, hope the repair is successful. Thanks for sharing and continue to stay safe 😷

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for that!

[@leongt1954]

Cherry Rips and caramello Koalas two of my favourite things to eat

[@BruceLeroyUK]

Interesting and informative. You're a natural in front of the camera also. Thanks for sharing, Kym.

[@KymIllman]

Oh thank you!

[@jayjays3592]

Great video mate. I kept an eye out for you while I was there over the weekend, didn't spot you but I did spot you lurking in the background of the McLaren Saudi Arabia unboxed video recently

[@tomallen6073]

Watching from Melbourne FL.

[@dag221]

The Stream Deck tip for adding metadata was a golden nugget of information. Thanks for the tips and the great video.

[@KymIllman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PouyaLucky]

Awesome video and really nice job editing and lighting things .. First thought: My GOD.. what a hectic and action filled work life you have, wow ... hats off to you and thank you for the amazing job and doing every single thing yourself. Of course I will like and sub, how can I not? I get to see the life of an F1 photographer and experience a glimpse of it

[@KymIllman]

It’s a lot of work you are right. Thanks for subscribing.

[@davidjv9800]

Loved this video Kym, great to see the behind the scenes on this one. Thanks to your son (I presume) for photographing you working hard! Cheers!

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes my son took the shots of me!

[@a.arnaavv]

Loved the Video Kym!!

[@thelostvisuals]

This was really interesting ☺️

[@vrum497]

Love how you utilize the stream deck! A pity about your lens being damaged. Costly fix!

[@lynnysumner4588]

Love your videos! I did have a question for you - How does one go about getting press/media credentials for a F1 race weekend? I am a freelance photographer. Is there an application process? Is the process through the event promoter, Liberty Media, F1, or the FIA? THANK YOU!

[@chroniclesofjeh2935]

We don't deserve you Kym. That's alot of work for a race weekend. Keep up the good work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍

[@boxboxbox196]

I observed you working at the Melbourne Walk during the AGP. God you are busy, as you took your photographs and you also spent brief moments with your supporters there. Will be again following you during the season Kym. Keep up the great work

[@KymIllman]

Great to hear you'll be following me during the season! And yep it's a busy time as a photographer!

[@shoop4040]

Well, you are now over 200K mate- Great job.. It's awesome doing what you love ain't it?

[@LWT633]

This is amazing !

[@KymIllman]

Glad you think so

[@watchlover8297]

Like the vintage Daytona.

[@jayraj5459]

Thanks

[@KymIllman]

Thanks back to you

[@mhsvz6735]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure

[@bubbavonbraun]

Loved the behind the scenes, my Stream Deck is my best friend, thoroughly worth the $$.

[@jurriaandeback1905]

Awesome video!

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AeonTon]

This is a real dream job

[@ChasingPhotography]

Its so wonderful to see how sports shooting is similar no matter what the sport. I covered the NBA, NCAA basketball and football and the ATP for years and my days are not much different, with only tennis being multiday events. The locker provision is wonderful! Cheers for a lovely channel, you have a new subscriber here and F1 would be a dream to photograph. I've covered Nascar, but prefer your part of the sport so much more, gorgeous work Kym.

[@KymIllman]

See you at a track one day maybe.

[@ChasingPhotography]

@@KymIllman would be my honor!

[@9RockRoad]

Brilliant use of the Streamdeck

[@KymIllman]

It's great for my workflow

[@mdbedelsohn4307]

Hi, and thanks for the great video! I would like to ask for your recommendation for a beginner auto sports photographer that's serious in going pro: start with a 1dx3, that could be had for half the price today, or keep saving for a R3. Thanks and hope you find the time to answer, good luck & have a great day

[@anangyoga1381]

stay healthy, good sir!

[@DanialRoxHD]

I seriously wished I could be an F1 photographer like you 🥺

[@stanleyfamUK]

Wow Kym, the took me back to the late 90's!!! I was a Superbike photographer, did one F1 at Silverstone by fluke! The 3/4 days were very similar back then, main difference being film as digital was not up to scratch, but the whole routine of media centre, tabards, grid passes etc so similar although the health and safety back then was less so and as a result access to the trackside seemed more flexible. I loved the few years I did and for 6 months of the year it was solid and I learned so much from many of the old boys that had been around for years doing it, especially as with film I could not afford to take quite so many shots, but learn't the art of panning with the right shutter speed top get that focussed rider, blurred background effect which I still love doing today. Family and married live stopped it for me, but now planning to retire soon at 60 and restart at some level, as I just loved the whole experience of getting to know the organisers, the teams, the riders, their families, just such an experience rich way to be BUT exhausting too - especially carrying kit for for hours walking around the circuit to get that angle, at the right time, in the moment that no one else got (that was the lure for me , seldom achieved though 😁). GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for the thorough recount there. Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@juliswift]

Wow, it sounds like you need an Angela Cullen! So much to remember to pack. Have you ever forgotten anything? Walking that much on a race weekend ensures that you don't need to hit the gym!

[@NikCan66]

Great insight into the life behind the lens for the people interested in F1 photography and the non photo viewers

[@ChasingTheOddShapedBall]

We were at Turn 6 for first and second practice, I would of just missed you!

[@vika09]

This is just a good reminder to people that it's hard work. It's not all jet-setting, luxury hotels, lounges, and mixing with drivers/celebs.

[@ashfield001]

Kym, loved the video even though Im an amateur bird photographer. Lots of small gems learnt. 🙏

[@KymIllman]

Glad it was helpful!

[@myvsa2953]

what a job!

[@photogl]

Love, Love Loved you video!!!!!! Have you used the Sony A1 at all ???? Your work is stunning even if you were using a Kodak Instamatic with Flash Cubes!!!!!

[@KymIllman]

Only shot with Canon

[@MichaelG1986]

I may be wrong, but I think I saw you on the Sky coverage of the drivers' parade. I think they grabbed a driver just before he hopped into one of the Cobras and I think you were busy shooting away from a low angle.

[@EMichaelBall]

Yeah I got that glimpse, too. It’s the hat that’s the giveaway.

[@bootsie5396]

damn kym rocking the daytona i see you

[@slevingaius]

Hope to meet you in person come Singapore GP better yet would love to assist to carry your equipement when you're about trying to capture the moments on the grid. Cheers

[@210.le0]

This is the life I want

[@KartPhoto-com]

You make me very curious how do you get the selected photos from your R3 to your dropbox, - do you still have to open the Canon app on your iphone - and then manually select everything and import and upload to dropbox ? love your work !

[@newenglandergray3002]

Intense Kym! A lot of insights here. Given how little editing you sometimes do, do you ever shoot jpeg? How does the camera focus when shooting through wire mesh?

[@honestboy4]

That is lot of registrations. And that 8TB chip is cool.

[@Brendengs84]

Cheers for another good video. How do you go shooting through the fence? What are your camera settings out of curiosity?

[@ChatMotorsport]

great video Kym.... do you follow other types of Motorsport too?