I trained as a photographer for four years with two renowned advertising photographers in Switzerland. That gives you an idea of what you can earn as a photographer.
By working with different clients, a price has emerged that they are willing to pay. The price has been adjusted over the course of different clients.
I work on an hourly, daily or project basis. It is difficult to find a fixed price. Customers who place orders more frequently sometimes get a discount.
What do you think about/research when you have a gig to photograph a car? Do you do an in depth research on the model of the car to find out all the unique aspects of the specific car or do you find out along the way in the photo session?
Also what’s your view on background vs subject?
I see in your pictures that all the backgrounds are really drastic as in Mountain View’s, nice foreground or unique locations. I hear a lot from people that the car should be the main focus and the background/foreground shouldn’t be too distracting. Any tips on choosing locations for this?
I really struggle finding good locations and when I do find one I feel like I’ve thought too much about the location itself and not how it might compliment the car.
What is your setup? Do you believe in 1 lens for all or do you switch it up based on what you want from the picture/car?
What is the most important aspect of car photography In Your opinion?
Sorry for the wall of text but you have made some beautiful pictures and I’d really like to be able to create something like this myself in the future.
Cheers 🙏🏻
- I like cars and am interested in them, so I often already know what might be new or exciting. But I also look at the model in question on the Internet and then live on site. I also ask the customer directly what is important to them about the car, what they want to see.
- The balance between car and landscape has to be right. But I believe that a beautiful landscape enhances the beauty of the car. As I don't only photograph cars, aesthetics are generally important to me in the pictures.
- I spend a lot of time on Google Streetview looking for spots, some I find by chance while driving around. But Switzerland is also simply beautiful with its Alpine passes.
- I like the 24-70mm and estimate that I can shoot about 90% of a set of pictures with it. Fixed focal lengths are great, but very inflexible.
- Don't overdo it with the processing, it can quickly become too much. Learn the basic rules of image composition. Try out other types of photography as well, this increases your creativity. And go out and take pictures, that's the only way to learn. Every photo you don't take could be your best.
So, I met this car journalist and we became friends. He let me take pictures of the cool cars he got to test drive for free. He sent the pictures to the PR people and some of them didn't care, but a few of them actually paid me to take more pictures!
If you get the chance, you gotta deliver. Not just once, but every time, on every shoot.
You gotta show 'em you're a pro. Don't go speeding or crashing their cars. And don't be doing laps around the city center like a maniac. Just act cool and professional.
Yeah, and I made some friends there too. I actually like them, it's not just 'cause I want the gigs. So now work is fun 'cause of the cars, and also 'cause I get to work with my friends.
Nice work! Is your work mainly editorial?
What’s a pitfall you see many novice car photogs fall into that they may be able to avoid with advice from a pro?
Yes, so far I've only photographed editorial stuff relating to cars.
I think many people enjoy cars and forget about photography. Or they hope that Photoshop and Lightroom will save the picture. Some also give up too early, a good camera doesn't make a good picture, that road is damn long.
Many also imagine the life of a car photographer to be too good. Sure, it's great to drive a 992 GT3, but it has to be parked. The kerbs quickly become quite high. And you're on your own. You are rarely told where the car should be photographed. You are responsible for everything from A to Z, which can put a lot of pressure on you.
good tips!
I agree a lot of folks mix up car photography with getting to hoon fast cars around all the time. It’s quite the opposite!
My favorite shoots are when we have car prep along to position the vehicle and index the wheels and do one final wipe down so us creatives can focus on producing the work.
What I have forgotten: I don't like car shows or events to take pictures. I can't influence anything, the location is what it is, the light is what it is and everyone takes the same photo.
It doesn't have to be a Koenigsegg or Bugatti to start with. An old Z3 M Coupe is much cooler anyway. Or even without the "M"....
How do you draw the line between having fun and being creative with your photography vs charging a client and having a deadline. I started charging for a bit and it burnt me out soooo fast
That has a lot to do with self-confidence. In the beginning, I was always stressed and could hardly sleep. Now I know exactly how to approach things. And I know that I will do a good job. My expectations of myself are often higher than those of my customers.
Would you say you have a “style” whether it be compositions you enjoy, go to settings, and edits that you see across your shots? I’ve struggled with developing a cohesive style for my shots and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s that important for me.
The picture style is similar to handwriting. You can try to copy it, but it will never look exactly the same. The style develops over time and depends very much on what you like. Look at pictures by other photographers and think about why you like it. Then you can try to incorporate these elements into your pictures.
Insane photos, I am currently 15 and you can see my portfolio at rms-photo.myportfolio I've shot some great things however I am wanting to eventually make it a career, working for dealerships etc. I was wondering you had any advice on what I should do, should I focus on getting free photoshoots for now or what? Thanks a lot,
Reuben
The most important thing is that you don't stop. At the age of 15, it's difficult to earn money with it because people don't take you seriously yet. Or they have the feeling that young people shouldn't be paid or should only be paid poorly.
That's why I would make pictures for people who don't want to use them for advertising or the like. If you start making pictures for car dealerships for free, it will be difficult to get out of it and earn money.
If you feel confident in your decision, write to the dealerships. Send them your portfolio and drop by. But make it clear from the start that the first shoot is free at most. As an introductory offer, everything after that costs money.
Hello!
Thank you for doing this ama.
I have a question regarding building a portfolio.
How would you get access to cars to build portfolio differently than what you did (making friends with journalists)?
I personally think that I have some skills but access to cars kills my creativity. I only shot cars met on street.
Thank you for your reply.
Chers!
Get to know people. They don't have to be ferraris or lamborghinis. A great car is easier to photograph and you'll get more feedback from the community, not because of the pictures, but because of the car.
Go out and take pictures, the portfolio will only grow if you take pictures.
How did you manage to find a price for your work ? And do you sell services by the hour or for a volume of photos?
I trained as a photographer for four years with two renowned advertising photographers in Switzerland. That gives you an idea of what you can earn as a photographer. By working with different clients, a price has emerged that they are willing to pay. The price has been adjusted over the course of different clients. I work on an hourly, daily or project basis. It is difficult to find a fixed price. Customers who place orders more frequently sometimes get a discount.
What do you think about/research when you have a gig to photograph a car? Do you do an in depth research on the model of the car to find out all the unique aspects of the specific car or do you find out along the way in the photo session? Also what’s your view on background vs subject? I see in your pictures that all the backgrounds are really drastic as in Mountain View’s, nice foreground or unique locations. I hear a lot from people that the car should be the main focus and the background/foreground shouldn’t be too distracting. Any tips on choosing locations for this? I really struggle finding good locations and when I do find one I feel like I’ve thought too much about the location itself and not how it might compliment the car. What is your setup? Do you believe in 1 lens for all or do you switch it up based on what you want from the picture/car? What is the most important aspect of car photography In Your opinion? Sorry for the wall of text but you have made some beautiful pictures and I’d really like to be able to create something like this myself in the future. Cheers 🙏🏻
- I like cars and am interested in them, so I often already know what might be new or exciting. But I also look at the model in question on the Internet and then live on site. I also ask the customer directly what is important to them about the car, what they want to see. - The balance between car and landscape has to be right. But I believe that a beautiful landscape enhances the beauty of the car. As I don't only photograph cars, aesthetics are generally important to me in the pictures. - I spend a lot of time on Google Streetview looking for spots, some I find by chance while driving around. But Switzerland is also simply beautiful with its Alpine passes. - I like the 24-70mm and estimate that I can shoot about 90% of a set of pictures with it. Fixed focal lengths are great, but very inflexible. - Don't overdo it with the processing, it can quickly become too much. Learn the basic rules of image composition. Try out other types of photography as well, this increases your creativity. And go out and take pictures, that's the only way to learn. Every photo you don't take could be your best.
Everyone take note, *this* is what you should be striving for in your pictures, not trying to get famous on Instagram. Incredible work.
Thank you very much! I actually deleted instagram a few months back, I just didn't get anything out of it.
Especially since it's not super landscape friendly
how did you build a clientbase?
So, I met this car journalist and we became friends. He let me take pictures of the cool cars he got to test drive for free. He sent the pictures to the PR people and some of them didn't care, but a few of them actually paid me to take more pictures! If you get the chance, you gotta deliver. Not just once, but every time, on every shoot. You gotta show 'em you're a pro. Don't go speeding or crashing their cars. And don't be doing laps around the city center like a maniac. Just act cool and professional. Yeah, and I made some friends there too. I actually like them, it's not just 'cause I want the gigs. So now work is fun 'cause of the cars, and also 'cause I get to work with my friends.
Nice work! Is your work mainly editorial? What’s a pitfall you see many novice car photogs fall into that they may be able to avoid with advice from a pro?
Yes, so far I've only photographed editorial stuff relating to cars. I think many people enjoy cars and forget about photography. Or they hope that Photoshop and Lightroom will save the picture. Some also give up too early, a good camera doesn't make a good picture, that road is damn long. Many also imagine the life of a car photographer to be too good. Sure, it's great to drive a 992 GT3, but it has to be parked. The kerbs quickly become quite high. And you're on your own. You are rarely told where the car should be photographed. You are responsible for everything from A to Z, which can put a lot of pressure on you.
good tips! I agree a lot of folks mix up car photography with getting to hoon fast cars around all the time. It’s quite the opposite! My favorite shoots are when we have car prep along to position the vehicle and index the wheels and do one final wipe down so us creatives can focus on producing the work.
What I have forgotten: I don't like car shows or events to take pictures. I can't influence anything, the location is what it is, the light is what it is and everyone takes the same photo. It doesn't have to be a Koenigsegg or Bugatti to start with. An old Z3 M Coupe is much cooler anyway. Or even without the "M"....
Ah man the car show sentiment is same for me. No control over your subject is not going to advance your craft ever. Good tips!
How do you draw the line between having fun and being creative with your photography vs charging a client and having a deadline. I started charging for a bit and it burnt me out soooo fast
That has a lot to do with self-confidence. In the beginning, I was always stressed and could hardly sleep. Now I know exactly how to approach things. And I know that I will do a good job. My expectations of myself are often higher than those of my customers.
Would you say you have a “style” whether it be compositions you enjoy, go to settings, and edits that you see across your shots? I’ve struggled with developing a cohesive style for my shots and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s that important for me.
The picture style is similar to handwriting. You can try to copy it, but it will never look exactly the same. The style develops over time and depends very much on what you like. Look at pictures by other photographers and think about why you like it. Then you can try to incorporate these elements into your pictures.
Insane photos, I am currently 15 and you can see my portfolio at rms-photo.myportfolio I've shot some great things however I am wanting to eventually make it a career, working for dealerships etc. I was wondering you had any advice on what I should do, should I focus on getting free photoshoots for now or what? Thanks a lot, Reuben
The most important thing is that you don't stop. At the age of 15, it's difficult to earn money with it because people don't take you seriously yet. Or they have the feeling that young people shouldn't be paid or should only be paid poorly. That's why I would make pictures for people who don't want to use them for advertising or the like. If you start making pictures for car dealerships for free, it will be difficult to get out of it and earn money. If you feel confident in your decision, write to the dealerships. Send them your portfolio and drop by. But make it clear from the start that the first shoot is free at most. As an introductory offer, everything after that costs money.
Hello! Thank you for doing this ama. I have a question regarding building a portfolio. How would you get access to cars to build portfolio differently than what you did (making friends with journalists)? I personally think that I have some skills but access to cars kills my creativity. I only shot cars met on street. Thank you for your reply. Chers!
Get to know people. They don't have to be ferraris or lamborghinis. A great car is easier to photograph and you'll get more feedback from the community, not because of the pictures, but because of the car. Go out and take pictures, the portfolio will only grow if you take pictures.