He’s taken some of the most famous Formula 1 photos in the world, but during his off-time, Kym Illman calls the sandy beaches of a coastal Western Australian town home.

His journey capturing the world’s fastest cars began on Australian soil at the Melbourne Grand Prix in 2017.

“Melbourne was my first race and I had no idea what I was doing,” he told 9News.

“It was just an absolute thrill to be trackside and that close to the action.”

Based in the coastal town of Lancelin, the self-taught photographer has captured some of the most memorable moments in motorsport, including shots of Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo.

“I certainly was enthused by Daniel taking it up because he went to the same school as my kids and he’s obviously a Perth guy,” Illman said.

One of his favourite images is a snap of Ricciardo.

“We actually stand on the track, he’s coming straight towards me, he’s maybe 25 metres away,” Illman said.

“Behind him Max Verstappen, you can see that they’re moving because there’s spray coming off the wheels.

“There’s a grandstand in the background and it’s pure.”

Beyond the racetracks, Illman finds solace in the tranquil beaches of Lancelin.

“This is so different to my life away, because we’re with 100,000-200,000 people at a track and here there’s no one,” he said. 

The world-renowned photographer is no stranger to the spotlight. It was his turn to get in front of the camera when he uncovered an ancient message in a bottle on Wedge Island six years ago.

“It was a scrolled piece of paper – well, turns out that was the oldest message in a bottle ever recorded,” he said.

After decades in the industry, Illman is now sharing his experiences with the world, turning to social media to engage with fans and share all the behind-the-scenes action of life at the track, as well as sending a message to future lens legends.

“I never stop working, that’s the thing,” he said.

“A lot of people say ‘oh, I’d like to do that” and I say ‘do you really want to do all of this work?’

“Because it has never stopped, it just goes goes goes.”