— Guide · HYROX
Official photos, private photographer or filmmaker: what to choose for your HYROX race?
You train for months for one hour of racing. Here's what each option really keeps of that hour, and how to pick the one that fits you.
By Guillaume Dubois, filmmaker · STORIES · 26 September 2026
1. Official event photos
At a HYROX race, the organiser hires a team of photographers to cover every participant. After the race, you find the pictures you're in online, often through your bib number or face recognition.
It's the simplest and cheapest option. But it has a built-in limit: photographers stand at fixed spots and shoot thousands of athletes. They don't know when you come through, or which station matters to you. You get a few pictures of yourself, rarely at your best moment, and no video of your race.
- Best for: a keepsake of your first race, on a budget.
- Good to know: no personal coverage, no video, results depend on where the photographers happened to be.
2. A private photographer
A private photographer follows only you. They know your start time, stand at the stations where you'll suffer or shine, and wait for you at the finish. You get a real edited series, consistent from start to finish.
It's a big step up from official photos. Its limit is the limit of photography: it freezes a moment. The rhythm of a sled push, your breathing before the wall balls, the noise of the hall as you cross the line — no still image can carry that.
- Best for: strong photos for your profile, your coach, your gym.
- Good to know: video, when offered, is often a secondary, lightly edited add-on.
3. A filmmaker: telling your race, not just showing it
An edited video tells a race. It has a beginning (the wait, the warm-up), a middle (the stations, the kilometres) and an end (the line, the clock, how it feels). That's the format social media pushes today: a 30 to 60-second vertical reel reaches far more people than a single photo.
At STORIES, we come from film. We shoot in 4K, grade like cinema, and cut to the rhythm of your race with real sound design. And because a good film is prepared, The Finish pack starts with a pre-race briefing: your strong stations, what you want to show, who you're talking to.
- Best for: building your athlete brand, talking to sponsors, keeping a real film of your race.
- Good to know: it costs more than a photo series, and editing takes a few days (7 days for a reel at STORIES).
The comparison at a glance
| Official photos | Private photographer | Filmmaker (STORIES) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is covered | Every participant | You | You |
| Key stations | Depends on positions | Yes | Yes, planned in a briefing |
| What you get | A few photos you appear in | An edited photo series | Photos and/or an edited reel, by pack |
| Video | No | Sometimes, as an add-on | Yes: 30-60 s reel, film, documentary |
| Turnaround | A few days | A few days | Photos 48 h · reel 7 days |
| Price | Lowest | Mid-range | €159 to €359 incl. VAT |
How to choose, by goal
Your first HYROX
Official photos are enough for a keepsake. If you want a real series to frame, take The Moment: at least 25 edited photos, delivered in 48 h.
Chasing a time
You'll give everything: that's the moment to film it. The Reel shows your race in motion, station after station.
Building your athlete brand
The Finish brings photos, a reel and a pre-race briefing together. It's designed for athletes who post, look for partners or coach.
Doubles or relays
Pick a pack for the team and add the partner photos option (+€45): everyone leaves with their own images.
What to prepare, whatever you choose
- Your start time and wave: without them, nobody can follow you.
- Your outfit: a strong colour is easy to spot and reads well on camera.
- Your strong and weak stations: they often make the best images.
- The event rules: access to race areas depends on the organiser; a private photographer works from authorised areas.
FAQ
Can I combine official photos with a private photographer or filmmaker?
Yes. Official photos remain available on their side; a private photographer or filmmaker follows you on top of that, on the moments that matter to you.
When should I book a filmmaker for a HYROX race?
As soon as you know your race: spots are limited per day, because one person can only follow a few athletes without missing stations.
Can every station be filmed?
We position ourselves on key stations and the finish line, from areas authorised by the organiser. The pre-race briefing is precisely there to pick the moments not to miss.
Can I use the video for my sponsors?
Yes for your social media and personal communication. Advertising use by a brand requires an extended licence, on quote.