The Women Who Do Work: Leanne Wilson ... Capture the Moment not just the Image™

We've seen in the previous articles about women who do work with in the world of Formula One. We've discovered that women are found sporadically throughout the pits and with the teams but the numbers are low. One job category that we don't hear too much or nearly anything about women being part of would be the 'glamourous' world of Motorsport Photography. And so, here we are!

Capture the Moment not just the Image™ ... Leanne Wilson



Name: Leanne Wilson

Age: 23

Location: Where ever there are fast moving subjects with high octane fuel.

Education: UK MSA accredited and BA Hons in 3D design.

Occupation: FIA Accredited Photographer with Octane Photos

Achievements: Youngest female (accredited) motorsport photographer, one of the youngest (ever) FIA accredited photographers.

Coming from Northern Ireland, what can be considered to most, the home of rallying, Leanne told us about her humble beginnings,

"Growing up with two older brothers, my oldest brother, Alan, has always been interested in watching rallies and then later photographing them. About the age of 16, I bought my brothers old camera kit off him as he was moving to Nikon kit rather than staying with Fuji. After having gone to a few events with my brother, I wanted to do something more than just watch the action, hence the start of photography with a Fuji S2 Pro camera then upgrading to full Canon Pro kit at the start of 2010.."

Many people would like to think that a job like Leanne's would be a walk in the park.  Something that could be bother enjoyable and relaxing.  Some may even think that they Formula One photographer bring along a collapsible deck chair. Boy are they wrong!

Rallies are always more interesting for having to take shots. Have been soaked by rally drivers (my own fault! Standing close to a water splashes!) I have had to duck as stones, mud and dirt have been sprayed up from rally cars!

At F1 testing, I was shooting in thunder storm rain and blistering sun, have had to do balancing acts with camera kit to get over head shots of the F1 guys coming from their pits, about 10 meters up...

Do not let anyone tell you that this job is glamorous! I have been soaked, roasted, and frozen just to be getting the shots that I have got. This may not be the most glamorous thing for a girl to do but it is loads of fun!

Before the birth of Octane Photos, Leanne had shot at Silverstone and Budapest GPs (as a fan in 2009), Lurgan Rally, WRC Ireland Stages, North West 200 for 9 years, only missed one year to finish her degree at the University of Ulster in Product Design.

If you are a believer in destiny, you will like this one! 

Davide Valsecchi, 2nd winter test at Catalunya

Craig Boon (the 'other half' of Octane Photos) and I met via a team Fan forum after I was at Silverstone (2009). I had uploaded a few images to flickr of events I had been to. Was in contact with Craig for a while, he happened to mention that he was attending the Autosport show at the NEC Birmingham in January 2010 as media and if I wanted to join him for the shot for a local online newspaper. Two months later, Octane Photographic Ltd was created!

After the launch of Octane Photos, life for this young professional has become very 'full'. From 2010, she has covered the Autosport Show (again), Formula 3, WRC in Germany, GB and Sweden, North West 200, the February and March F1 Winter Tests at Catalunya, British GT & Wirral 100 at Oulton Park and the list goes on.

In the last year, the most time I have spent at home in the UK is 6 weeks and the shortest time was 48 hours!



And things are not about to slow down either.  With full FIA accreditation, a few of the upcoming events that Leanne will be covering include: Formula 3 at Brands Hatch (17-19 June), F1 at Valenica (June 24-26 June). Also has been confirmed for WRC Germany and GB, Goodwood festival and Revival, applications F1 & GP2 currently pending for Silverstone, Spa and Monza.

I, myself know of a few adults that don't have a clue what they want to be 'when they grow up', so when a young professional like Leanne Wilson comes along it's like a breath of fresh air. At the tender age of 23 and taking photos like this... I can only image what is yet to come!



Ken Block on Colin's Crest, Sweden 2011

F1 blurred through trees at winter testing

 

Audi shot in Pit Lane, LeMans 2011 with reflection in door