top of page

​create action sports photos people can’t
ignore.

In five weeks, you’ll train your eye, adopt a pro mindset, and lock in a workflow that’s already helping photographers inside this cohort create portfolio-defining shots that get noticed.

The same system refined over 12 years, used behind magazine features, awards, and images seen by millions.

 You can shoot for years and still stay invisible.

 

You know your camera inside and out.

You’ve got decent shots on your feed.

But nothing’s really changed.

You’re still not getting noticed.

You’re still unsure what separates great from good.

And deep down, you’re starting to wonder if you’ve peaked

 

In five weeks, you’ll close the gap between your work and the work you admire.

You’ll start coming back from shoots with cleaner, sharper frames that hit harder.

Photos that make people take notice and want to shoot with you.

From idea to result

Pickup media-177.jpg
Pickup Media.jpg

 built from high level shots

This isn’t just a cohort. You also get access to the full Action Sports Photography Course, built from real photos that have proven success.

Pickup Media-96.jpeg
Finalist_Transparent BG_Dark Logo.png
Pickup Media-11.jpg
godox_white2.png
3m + views
Instagram-Logo.png
Sponsored by

Most photographers never get to see how truly standout shots are made

 

They’re left guessing

Stuck in reviews and highlight reels

Wondering what they’re missing

 

This course changes that

 

These images are broken down from start to finish,

So you can see exactly how high level shots are made and build your own

Action Sports Creator Program

Why this works

Most photographers wait for something to happen in front of them.

 

But there’s rarely a clear way to build the shot they actually have in their head.

 

This cohort fixes that with three things that completely change how you see and create high level action sports photos:

Pickup media-3.jpg

1. A new way of seeing

 

Past members told us the same thing, they start noticing contrast, shape, timing, and opportunities everywhere they go.

 

It’s not about being “more creative,” it is about training your eye so you can finally see what actually makes a shot stand out.

Pickup Media copy.jpg

2. A mindset and system you can rely on

 

A structured way to plan, shoot, and edit, so you understand why an image works and why another one does not.

 

This helps you slow down, think like a creator instead of a button-presser, and build photos with intention instead of reacting to whatever happens.

@Olderelder-9274.jpg

3. A community of action sports photographers who push you forward

 

You are not doing this alone. You join a group of people who take this seriously.

You get accountability, honest feedback, challenges, prizes, and a community where everyone is growing together.

the shift that changed their photography

"From No Clear Process to Confident, Creative Vision"

This course got me thinking in a totally different way. I’ve shot some events before, but I never really had a clear process. Now I’m thinking more intentionally about light, angles, and athlete positioning. 

 

The photo breakdowns and behind-the-scenes footage really helped me understand the “why” behind every decision.

 

I’m more excited now to chase ideas that I can bring to life and it’s opened my eyes to a more creative side of photography.

Screenshot2.42 PM.png

Alex Gautier

@alexisxgautier

"A Framework That Finally Made Things Click"

"I’ve done plenty of shoots in the past, but this course gave me a completely different mindset.

 

It helped me plan better, think more creatively, and pay attention to details I hadn’t considered before.

 

Learning this system has given me a framework I can rely on. 

It’s already helped me approach my ideas with more confidence and I can’t wait to keep improving."

Screenshot PM.png

Hannah Childress

@childress_hannah

"After 10 years of shooting, this showed me a new way to see"

I hesitated before joining; there’s so much content out there, and after 10 years as a photographer, I wasn’t sure this would add anything new. But I’m really glad I joined. This was different. 

 

Blake showed me things I hadn’t considered or needed to relearn from an action sports perspective. It gave me the clarity and structure I needed to elevate my photography. 

 

I feel re-energized creatively and more confident finding new ideas in the action sports world. You can really see how much of a difference it makes when you train your eye to see differently.

Screenshot 202M.png

Pietro Granati

@childress_hannah

“This made me way more confident with flash photography.”

"Flash and long exposure always felt too technical or out of reach, but this cohort broke it down in a way that made me feel like I could do it.

 

The style of shooting itself is wild, but all these challenges opened my eyes to planning, problem solving, and looking at photos differently. 

 

The whole process got me excited to shoot more. I can already see how this process will improve my work and dramatically improve my photography from what I was creating before."

Screenshot 2026-01-05 at 3.12.42 PM.png

Ronna Jean

@ronnajean_photography​​

“Helped me see a clear path to the photos I want to create.”

“I’ve done a few workshops before, but this was the first one that felt made for action sports photographers. Blake doesn’t just teach tips;  he teaches a mindset.

 

From planning a shot to placing light and working with athletes, he goes deep into the process. You won’t find this level of insight on YouTube.

 

It gave me the clarity I needed and showed me a clear path to the kind of photos I’ve been wanting to create.”

Screenshot 202at 3.12.42 PM.png

Derek Wilson

@illume_unbound​​

what you get inside the

Action Sports Creator Cohort

Learn the system. Apply it with me. Build the eye that creates standout action sports photos.

1. Live weekly sessions

Learn directly from me in structured, premium deep-dive lessons with slides, breakdowns, and live Q and A.

2. Direct revisions and feedback

 

Bring your attempts, and receive clear next steps. No confusion. No guessing. Just steady progress.

3. Real-world

shooting andplanning

How to plan sessions, work with athletes, communicate, and run smooth shoots.

4. Editing guidance that matches your story

Learn to edit with intention. Each choice supports the shot you built, not trends.

5. Private community of action sports creatives

Accountability, feedback, challenges, competitions, connection, inspiration. You’re not doing this alone.

6. Full access to the Action Sports Pro Photography Course

Your long-term library of 50 lessons, practicals, and workflows to go deeper after the cohort.

why most photographers stay stuck

Most action sports photographers do the right things, they shoot often, learn the basics, upgrade their gear, and put in the reps. But eventually the progress slows. Everything starts to feel similar, and standing out becomes harder.

 

Not because they lack talent. But because repetition hits a ceiling when there’s no structure, no trained eye, and no clear way to build the kind of shots they actually want to create

 

 

This cohort gives you the clarity, mindset, and process to finally break past that plateau, and start creating photos people can’t ignore.

Pickup Media-V2 contrast.jpg

it’s not your gear. it’s your eye.

I’ve created paid work on an iPhone.

I’ve taken some of my favourite images on an entry-level DSLR with a kit lens.

My Sony A7 III is a 2018 camera and it is still behind some of my best work

Pickup media-30.jpg
IMG_1183 2.JPG
Pickup Media.jpg

Shot on a 2018 Sony A7 III.  Still one of my strongest frames.

Shot on iPhone. Licensed by a client.

Shot on my first DSLR Nikon D3300 Kit lens only.

Gear helps, but it isn’t what makes your work stand out.

 

What actually moves the needle is learning to see, plan, and build a shot with intention.

That’s what this cohort teaches you.

What happens when you learn to see differently

One real transformation from inside the founding group.

The gear changed nothing. The eye did.

Pickup media.jpg

Photo by Hannah Childress — of herself.

Captured on self-timer with flash, this shot was fully planned and produced by Hannah during the cohort. It won our first community competition and earned her a Godox AD400 Pro II.

Hannah Childress
 
“This was one of the first photos I’ve ever fully planned, from location to lighting — and I’m in the photo too. The course helped me slow down, think intentionally, and actually build the image I had in mind.
 
I always knew flash would take time to learn, but this gave me the confidence to start.
If this is what I’m creating already, I can’t wait to see what’s possible next"

what the five week cohort looks like 

A clear structure that builds your skills step by step.

WEEK 1

 

Build the eye that creates standout shots

 

You’ll learn what actually makes an action sports photo stand out.

We’ll break down contrast, lines, shapes, and why certain images are powerful.

By the end, you won’t just look at photos — you’ll see them.

WEEK 2

 

Shoot with intention, not reaction

 

You’ll learn how to work fast, choose lenses with purpose,

find reliable subjects, and build confidence when shooting on the fly.

This week levels up your run-and-gun instincts.

WEEK 3

 

Plan, produce, and collaborate like a creator people trust

 

You’ll understand how to scout locations, communicate with athletes,

find inspiration, vet subjects, and build shots from the ground up.

This is where your photography moves from random to intentional.

WEEK 4

 

Master light, atmosphere, and advanced techniques

 

You’ll learn how to shape light, create atmosphere, position flashes,

and understand the power and limitations of different setups.

This is the week where your creativity jumps to a new level.

WEEK 5

 

Follow the full system and develop a portfolio that stands out

 

You’ll learn the mindset needed for breakthrough photos,

refine your personal process, and understand the full workflow

to consistently create images you’re proud of — not just lucky one-offs.

Join a community 

A focused, driven group of action sports photographers who are serious about their craft.

A group of photographers who take the craft seriously.

This group is full of photographers who actually show up, experiment, and push their craft.

Real feedback from people who get it.

Members share wins, struggles, learnings, and test shots so everyone levels up faster.

Momentum you can feel.

Ideas move, shots get built, and friendly challenges keep you improving.

Pickup media-132.jpg

WHO THIS COHORT IS FOR

For photographers who want to grow and are ready to put in the work.

This is for you if you:

 

 

•Are actively shooting action sports and your photos feel repetitive

 

 

•Understand manual mode and the fundamentals of exposure

 

 

•Want to build standout work instead of relying on chance moments

 

 

•Are ready to plan, test, and execute ideas — not just show up and hope

 

 

•Want honest, valuable feedback from people on the same path

 

 

•Are willing to embrace failure, recognise what went wrong, and try again

  This is not for you if you:

 

 

  • Are a pure beginner who doesn’t understand manual exposure

​​​

  • Are only looking for quick tips or surface-level tricks

​​​

  • Want a shortcut without putting in real effort​

  • Are not open to changing how you think about photography​

  • Avoid feedback or don’t value other creatives’ opinions

​​​

  • Aren’t willing to go out, find subjects, and make things happen

Recognised for award-winning photography and trusted by leading brands across the creative and action-sports world

trek_white.png
Rome Team.png
GoPro_Logo_1C_Reversed_RGB.png
sony_alpha_white.png
Finalist_Transparent BG_White Logo.png
redbull_illume_clean.png
godox_white2.png
kenda.png
BlakePickupcourse

frequently asked questions 

Is this right for me if I’m just starting out?

This cohort is best for photographers who already understand the basics,  manual mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus modes. That usually means about a year of shooting under your belt.

You don’t need to be a pro. You just need to be actively shooting and ready to grow. If you’re still learning how to use your camera, this isn’t the right fit — yet.

What if I miss a live session?

No stress! All live calls are recorded and uploaded for you to rewatch anytime.

You’ll still get the full value, including the Q&A. We encourage you to show up live, but everything is designed to be flexible.

How much time do I need to commit each week?

 

The live session is about 90 minutes a week. Add another hour or two if you’re applying the ideas out shooting.

There’s no rush, you get lifetime access to everything. Take it at your own pace if you need to.

Is this just another content course?

 

Nope. This isn’t just “tips and tutorials.”

You get a complete creative system taught live, adapted to your shooting style, and built specifically for action sports.

You’ll also be part of a small, supportive community that understands what you’re trying to create.

What happens after the five weeks?

 

You leave with a full framework for producing standout action sports photos and the confidence to keep building on it.

From there, it’s about applying what you’ve learned and continuing to refine it. You’ll still have access to the course, the replays, the community, and all future updates.

What if I’ve tried other programs that didn’t work?

 

Most courses are too broad. They don’t go deep enough, and they don’t answer your specific questions.

This cohort is different;  you get direct Q&A every week and live feedback tailored to your exact situation.

Whether you’re stuck on editing, light, or how to shoot a certain feature, we work through it with you in real time.

What gear do I need?

 

You don’t need the newest gear, just a mirrorless or DSLR camera and a lens.

We’ve had students shooting on 6 to 7-year-old cameras with no problem.

The course teaches the thinking, planning, and technique behind the shot, not just how to use settings.

What if my skill level isn’t as good as the others?

 

That’s exactly why this cohort works.

You’ll be learning alongside other photographers,  some with 2 years of experience, others with 10, and everyone gets value from each other.

Less experienced students ask important questions. More experienced students get to refine their fundamentals and give feedback.

There are no egos here — just support and growth

Do you offer refunds?

 

Yes — and here’s the deal:

 

If you complete all five weeks and feel like the cohort didn’t deliver the clarity or value you needed, I’ll give you a full refund.

I don’t want to keep anyone’s money if it didn’t help them move forward.

ready to hit that new level of photography 

You’re already out there shooting.

You’ve put in the reps.

But deep down, you know you’re capable of more.

 

You just need a clear path to create the kind of shots you’re proud of the ones that get noticed and remembered.

 

That moment when you check the back of your screen and think:

“Shit, I made that happen.”

 

That’s what this cohort is here for.

Five weeks of clarity, momentum, and direction,

so you can finally build the kind of work that stands out.

_DSC6142.jpg
Waitlist master
bottom of page