Spotlight on Speed Media's photographer Dave Hewison

Speed Media published a short bio on me on their website last week. I decided to republish it on my blog, but you can find the original post here.

As a kid, I was obsessed with photography and after much groveling I talked my dad into buying me my first SLR camera which was a Yashica FX-3. With that camera, I joined my schools AV club where I learnt to shoot, process film, make prints and that was basically my life until riding motorcycles took over.

Fast forward to this century, my partner must have noticed the dribble that accumulated at the corner of my mouth every time I happen to notice a DSLR in a shop or over someone’s shoulder and bought me my very own for my birthday.

Phillip Island, Australia. 25 October, 2019. Johann Zarco during Free Practice 1 at the Promac Generac Australian MotoGP. Credit: Dave Hewison

After a long period of time staring at the camera on the table wondering what to do with it, I thought I’d take a drive to my local motorcycle track and take photos of my other major addiction, bikes.

Before I knew it, riders were asking to buy my images of them on the track. Then the clubs approached me to shoot their track events. Next it was the Australian Supercars and that led the Australian Superbike Championships.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 27: Melbourne City celebrate winning during the A-League Grand-Final soccer match between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC on June 27, 2021 at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dave Hewison/Speed Media)

Pretty quickly I was an accredited Formula 1 photographer and the following year, MotoGP.

I never planned to shoot sport professionally, I fell into it and have never looked back. My late dad drilled into me for as long as I can remember; “Do what you love, after all, you spend at least a third of your life at work.” I never really achieved that until I became a sports shooter.

I’m now a Senior Photographer and Editor with Speed Media Image Agency, a position I genuinely love and I’m immensely proud of. At Speed Media, I shoot at the highest level of professional sport in Australia including Formula 1 and MotoGP, A-League, NRL, International Test Rugby, International Test Cricket and T20 as well as the Australian Open.

Michael Hooper of the Wallabies is tackled during the rugby international test match between the Australia Wallabies and France. Credit: Dave Hewison/Speed Media

My work has been published all over the world both online and in print as well as in magazines.

Phillip Island, Australia. 26 October, 2019. Dominique Aegerter (77) riding for Forward Racing Team (CHE) holds on during Free Practice 4 at the Promac Generac Australian MotoGP. Credit: Dave Hewison/Speed Media

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 22: Craig Noone of Melbourne City celebrates after kicking what would turn out to be the match winning goal during the Hyundai A-League soccer match between Melbourne City FC and Central Coast Mariners on May 22, 2021 at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire)

Speed Media has photographers all over Australia as well as overseas. We’re like a family, we look out for each other which shows in our work. We’re obsessed with quality and we punch above our weight. It’s been an adventure and while I’m not quite sure how I ended up where I am, I’m exactly where I want to be.

Dave shoots for Speed Media Image Agency, a professional photo agency providing coverage of all sports, events and photojournalism. We photograph for international, national and local media agents, including Getty Images, Icon Sportswire, AP, News Corp, The Times, ESPN and CNN. We have a team of commercial photographers ready to shoot for sport teams and sponsors.