At the start of the year, there was uncertainty. Standing trackside for the first time, camera in hand, Jamie Nash wasn’t thinking about results or recognition — only whether he truly belonged there. The season began cold, cautious, and full of questions. What followed was not just a year of learning how to photograph motorsport, but a year that quietly built confidence, patience, and belief.
That first full season in motorsport photography was far from glamorous. January 2025 brought winter rally stages at Brands Hatch — cold, muddy, and unforgiving. Numb hands, poor light, and little sense of what to expect defined the day. Cars appeared and disappeared through the trees with no warning, and hesitation meant missed shots. It was there, surrounded by sound, speed, and unpredictability, that the pull of capturing motorsport properly began to take hold.
The next step came at Silverstone for British GT, and with it, a reality check. The scale of the circuit, the pace of the cars, and the pressure of positioning pushed everything well beyond comfort zones. Finding where to stand, when to move, and how to tell a story through images became a challenge in itself. It quickly became clear that motorsport photography is not just about cars — it’s about preparation, awareness, and commitment. Every decision mattered, and every mistake showed up in the final images.
As the season progressed, Brands Hatch became familiar ground, though never an easy one. GT World Challenge Europe introduced a new level of intensity and precision, while the British Touring Car Championship delivered something entirely different — raw aggression, close racing, and moments unfolding in the blink of an eye. Those weekends were physically exhausting but creatively rewarding. Some shots were missed, others came as surprises, but each event sharpened instinct and understanding.
Lessons Learned
The most significant lesson was patience. Motorsport photography rewards those willing to wait, watch, and anticipate. Learning where overtakes might happen, when drivers would push hardest, or when contact felt inevitable began to shape a more deliberate approach. As anticipation improved, the images gained intent and life.
Lighting proved to be another steep learning curve. From flat, grey winter conditions to harsh summer sunlight, adaptability became essential. Motorsport doesn’t pause for ideal conditions, and not every situation can be controlled — learning to work within those limits became part of the craft.
Panning was the hardest skill to master. Slowing the shutter speed felt like a risk, and early attempts produced more failures than successes. But when it worked, the results captured not just speed, but feeling. The process demanded trust — in technique, timing, and instinct. There were weekends that ended in disappointment, but looking back, the progress was clear. Learning how to read a race, stay calm under pressure, and keep pushing forward became just as important as any technical setting.
Looking Ahead
This first year delivered more than a collection of images — it built belief. From frozen fingers at winter stages to the intensity of GT and touring car racing, every event helped define both perspective and purpose.
Joining Pitlane News has been a key step in that journey, connecting time spent trackside and behind the screen to something larger. There is still plenty to learn, shots will still be missed, and better images will always be the target. The difference now is clarity.
The doubt about belonging has gone. The focus has shifted to growth — developing consistency, building experience, and telling the stories that make motorsport compelling. If this first year proved anything, it’s that the foundations are in place — and the journey is only just beginning.
