My first Red-Carpet Press Photoshoot F1: The Movie Premiere in Leicester Square

I’m not going to lie. When I received the email confirming my press credentials for the F1: The Movie premiere in Leicester Square, I had to read it three times before it sank in. Me? On the red carpet? With actual A-list celebrities walking past my camera?

Let me take you behind the scenes of what it’s really like to photograph your first major red-carpet event, because honestly, nothing quite prepares you for the chaos, the glamour, and the absolute rush of capturing Hollywood magic in real time.

What It’s Actually Like to Shoot a Red-Carpet Premiere

Here’s what nobody tells you about red-carpet photography: it’s simultaneously the most exhilarating and most nerve-wracking experience you’ll have as a photographer.

Leicester Square was absolutely buzzing. The barriers were up, the crowds were gathering, and there I was, camera in hand, on a ladder standing in the designated press pit alongside seasoned photographers who’d done this a hundred times before.

The energy was electric. You could feel the anticipation building as fans lined the barriers, holding their phones high, hoping to catch a glimpse of Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton, or any of the star-studded cast arriving for this highly anticipated Formula 1 film.

The Technical Challenge Nobody Warns You About

Let me be real with you. Shooting a red-carpet event is nothing like a controlled studio environment or even an outdoor portrait session. You’re dealing with:

• Constantly changing lighting (flash photography everywhere, spotlight shifts, and the golden hour Leicester Square glow)

• Unpredictable subject movement (celebrities don’t pose for individual photographers; they work the entire carpet)

• Limited shooting time (you’ve got seconds, not minutes, to nail the shot)

• Equipment pressure (there’s no “let me just check that” moment; you need to be ready)

I’d prepared my gear the night before, checking every setting, every lens, every battery. I've rented a lens from fatllama so checking that it will go with my camera. But standing there in the moment? My heart was racing, and my hands were surprisingly steady. Pure adrenaline taking over.

Getting Into Position

I made my way to the photographers line by a ladder since I was behind talls photographers. While the crowds were still building. It is always interesting watching a premiere come together in daylight. You see more of the prep, more of the anticipation from fans, and more of the details.

People were already pressed against the barriers, chatting, swapping predictions about who might show up first. As always, the PR teams moved around us making last checks while photographers settled into their alocated spots. I took a few test shots and waited for the first arrival.

WHO WALKED THE CARPET

When the first limousine pulled up, everything shifted into high gear. The professional photographers around me moved with this incredible synchronised energy, cameras clicking in rapid succession, creating this symphony of shutters that I’ll honestly never forget.

I focused on what I knew: composition, lighting, and capturing genuine moments. Instead of trying to replicate what every other photographer was doing, I looked for those in-between moments. The laugh before the pose, the adjustment of a tie, the genuine smile exchanged between co-stars.

• Brad Pitt and Ramon Share

  

• Damson Idris

  

• Kerry Condon

  

• Shea Whigham

  

• Sarah Niles

  

  
  

Filmmakers

• Joseph Kosinski, director

  

• Jerry Bruckheimer, producer

  

  
  

Celebrity Guests

• Naomi Campbell

  

• Ed Sheeran

  

• Raye

  

• Tate McRae

  

• will.i.am

  

  
  

• Tobias Menzies

  

• Simone Ashley

  

• Dame Denis Lewis

  

• Martins Imhangbe

  

Motorsport Figures

• Lewis Hamilton

  

• Stefano Domenicali

The mix of film stars, musicians, several influencers, fashion icons and F1 legends made the afternoon feel wonderfully unpredictable.

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What I Learned from My First Red-Carpet Photoshoot

If you’re a photographer who would like to shoot red-carpet events, or you’re simply curious about breaking into press photography, here’s what this experience taught me:

1. Preparation is absolutely everything. Know your gear inside out. Understand your camera settings so well that adjusting them becomes second nature. You won’t have time to fumble through menus when Lewis Hamilton walks past.

2. Confidence matters. Even when you feel like the least experienced person in the press pit, stand tall and shoot with purpose. Your credentials got you there. You belong in that space. Note I was the only back female photographer in that space.

3. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. I didn’t capture every single star, and not every shot was frame-worthy. But I was present, I was professional, and I delivered quality images that told the story of the evening.

4. The community is surprisingly supportive. The photographer beside me shared tips about capturing the right moment. Another offered encouragement when I mentioned it was my first premiere. There’s room for everyone when you approach the work with respect and professionalism.

Breaking Into Red-Carpet and Press Photography

Connect and network within the industry. I’ll be completely transparent with you. This opportunity came through being part of a photography group UKBFTOG where professionals share leads, opportunities, and support each other’s growth. The power of community cannot be overstated. Join photography associations, attend industry meetups, engage in online forums, and build genuine relationships with other photographers. These connections often lead to opportunities you’d never find on your own.

Start by building your portfolio with local events. Film festivals, theatre openings, charity galas. These smaller red-carpet occasions are perfect training grounds and often more accessible for emerging photographers.

Develop relationships with publications, both online and print. Many outlets need quality event photography and are open to working with skilled photographers who can deliver professional results.

Invest in the right equipment. You don’t need the most expensive gear, but you do need reliable equipment that performs well in challenging lighting conditions.

Most importantly, believe in your ability to tell stories through images. That’s what separates a photographer from someone who simply owns a camera.

My First Red Carpet: A Day I’ll Never Forget

Walking away from Leicester Square that evening, camera packed away, I felt this incredible mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. I’d done it. I’d photographed my first major red-carpet premiere, captured images I was proud of, and proved to myself that I belonged in that professional space.

The F1: The Movie premiere was more than just an assignment. It was confirmation that the skills I’d been developing, the risks I’d been taking, and the belief I’d been nurturing were all leading somewhere real.

If you’re reading this and dreaming about your own breakthrough moment in photography, I want you to know: it’s possible. It might not happen overnight, and the path might look different than you expect, but those opportunities are out there waiting for you.

Keep shooting, keep learning, keep networking, keep putting yourself forward for opportunities that stretch you.

Because one day, you’ll find yourself standing in a press pit in Leicester Square, or at whatever red carpet calls to you, and you’ll realise you’re not just taking photographs anymore. You’re a professional photographer living your dream.

And honestly? That feeling is worth every nervous moment, every technical challenge, and every leap of faith it took to get there.

Looking for an Event Photographer?

If you’re searching for a professional photographer to capture your premiere, corporate event, gala, or special occasion, I’d love to chat about how we can work together. From red-carpet coverage to behind-the-scenes documentation, I bring both technical expertise and a storyteller’s eye to every assignment.

Whether you’re planning a film premiere, product launch, charity gala, or corporate function, professional event photography ensures your moment is captured with the quality and attention it deserves.

Ready to discuss your photography needs? Contact me today to talk about availability, packages, and how I can help tell your event’s story through compelling imagery. Let’s create something extraordinary together.

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