The 4 Hours of Spa 2026: My First Weekend as Official Media
Spa-Francorchamps needs no introduction. Nestled in the Ardennes forest, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and demanding circuits in the world, and from 21 to 23 August 2026 it played host to the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: round four of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season, and the tenth running of the event. The weekend also brought the Michelin Le Mans Cup and the Ligier European Series to the track, filling the schedule with practically non-stop action from Friday through Sunday.
For me, this weekend marked a personal milestone. I was given the opportunity to work as official media at the event, a step that feels like real progress towards my long-term goal of becoming a professional motorsport photographer. After years of standing along the fence with my camera as a fan, I finally walked onto the circuit with a media badge around my neck, working the way the photographers I have long admired do.
What the Weekend Was Like
Being credentialed as official media changes the way you experience a race weekend entirely. It means standing in places spectators never reach: closer to the cars, closer to the teams, with access to corners and vantage points that simply aren't available from the grandstands. From pit lane to the fastest, most photogenic corners of Spa-Francorchamps, I set out to capture not just the action on track, but the details and emotion that give a race weekend its character.
It was, without question, an intense few days. Early starts, long hours on my feet, and a constant search for the right light and the right angle, all while staying sharp through every session. Yet that intensity is exactly what made the experience so rewarding. I came away from the weekend energised rather than drained, which only confirmed what I already suspected: this is the work I want to build my career on.
Meeting New People and Photographers
If there is one thing that made this weekend stand out above all else, it was the people. I met a great number of new faces in the paddock, among them several photographers with far more experience in this world than I have. From them, I picked up an enormous amount: practical advice on camera settings, insight into where to position myself for a given corner, guidance on using light and composition more effectively, and lessons on how to conduct myself professionally around teams and organisations.
Watching experienced photographers work up close was, in itself, an education. Their patience for the decisive moment, their ability to make the most of an entire weekend, and the way they support one another with genuine respect and camaraderie, despite technically competing for the same shots, left a real impression on me. I am leaving this weekend with more than just a set of photographs. I am leaving with experience, insight, and connections that I expect will matter for a long time to come.
A Step Closer to My Goal
This weekend was more than simply an enjoyable experience. It represents a concrete and meaningful step towards the goal I have set for myself: turning motorsport photography into my profession. For someone still early in this journey, being trusted to work as official media at an event of this stature is not something I take lightly, nor for granted.
I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who made this possible and who continues to support me on this path. Without the people who believe in me, open doors on my behalf, and give me the space to learn and grow, I would not have been standing on that circuit. That trust means a great deal to me, and it drives me to keep pushing forward, with even more dedication, towards where I want to end up.
Looking Back
The 4 Hours of Spa 2026 is a weekend I will not soon forget. A world-class circuit, closely fought racing across the ELMS, Michelin Le Mans Cup and Ligier European Series, the chance to experience it all from the other side of the fence as official media, and everything I learned from the people around me: together, they make this one of the standout weekends of my career so far.
Next up: NLS 8 and 9.