For plenty of racing fans, there’s an ambition to get closer to the action than a ticket could ever provide. Photographer Kevin McCauley has taken the time to demystify and unpack how someone can get their hands on a coveted photo vest on his YouTube channel Capturing The Machine. As someone who attended races writing for a small, self-run publication before my time here at Jalopnik, applying for accreditation can be a daunting and nerve-racking experience full of unknowns.
McCauley lays out the primary purpose of media accreditation out of the way early. Race and championship organizers want the largest possible reach for events and want to accredit photographers who have their images published in prominent publications. Appropriately, McCauley recommends not trying to shoot Formula 1 first. He informs novices to build experience at smaller grassroots events with much lower barriers to entry.
He explains that ambitious photographers should build relationships with publications looking for racing stories, even if they aren’t automotive or sports-focused. Again, organizers want to expand their audience. McCauley talked about how he got a break working with an Austin-focused culture website while the Circuit of the Americas, home of the United States Grand Prix, was being constructed in the early 2010s. He also mentioned that working with a team is another path towards accreditation.
McCauley ends on a reflective note, saying, “If you get a vest, that means someone else was denied a vest.” The race track is a thrilling environment, but it’s still a workplace. Everyone in the garage area and trackside are there to do a job. If you do get accredited, please be considerate of everyone there working for a paycheck or even volunteering their free time.