The photography session is the easy part. The difference between photos you’re proud to share and ones that make your car look like an afterthought almost always comes down to preparation. Here’s what I tell every client before we shoot.
Wash and Detail the Day Before, Not the Morning Of
This is the most common mistake. Car owners wash their car the morning of the shoot, drive to the location, and arrive with water spots, particularly on dark paint and glass. Water spots show up in photos in a way they don’t always register to the naked eye, and they’re one of the first things that stands out when you look at a final image.
Wash and detail the day before. If you’re doing a ceramic coat or wax pass, do it two days out so you have time to buff off any residue. On the morning of the shoot, a quick wipe-down with a clean microfiber cloth is all you need.
Clean the Wheels and Wheel Wells
Camera lenses see everything, including the parts of the car that are easy to neglect in a regular wash. Brake dust on the wheels, mud in the wheel wells, and tire sidewalls with curb marks all show up clearly in photos. Spend extra time on these areas before the shoot.
Tire dressing is worth using, but go light on the application. A heavy coat will fling onto the fenders when you move the car, which creates a new problem. One thin, even pass is enough to make the rubber look clean without overdoing it.
Clear the Interior
You’d be surprised how often cars arrive with a water bottle in the cup holder, a phone cable draped across the center console, or a parking permit on the windshield. Even in exterior-only shoots, the interior is visible through the windows, and a clean cabin makes a meaningful difference in how the car reads overall.
Wipe down the dashboard, clear the door pockets, and remove anything from the rear shelf. If there are seat covers, take them off. Pull the registration card out of the visor. Take five minutes to go through the car and remove anything that doesn’t belong to the car itself.
Full Tank for Rolling Shots
If we’re doing motion shots, which produce some of the best results but require the car to be driven during the session, make sure you have a full tank of gas. Nothing interrupts a shoot faster than running low mid-session when we’re in the middle of a location.
Tire Dressing: Light Application Only
Already mentioned above, but worth reiterating. A light coat of tire shine makes sidewalls look clean and finished in photos. Too much and it sprays onto the bodywork when you pull forward. If you’re unsure, less is more. The goal is clean rubber, not wet rubber.
What to Wear If You’re in the Shots
If there’s any chance you’ll appear in the photos, think about what you’re wearing. Solid colors in darker tones tend to photograph well and don’t compete with the car. Avoid busy patterns, large logos, or anything that draws the eye away from the subject. The car is the main character. You’re supporting cast.
Arrive 15 Minutes Early
This one gets overlooked. If you’ve been driving the car to the location, especially in warm weather, give it 15 to 20 minutes to cool down before we start shooting. Exhaust pipes, brakes, and engine components that are still radiating heat can affect how the car sits, and warm brake dust sometimes rises off the rotors in a way that’s visible in photos.
Arriving early also gives you time to do a final walk-around, wipe off anything that collected during the drive, and settle in before we start.
What to Expect on Shoot Day
A standard session is unhurried. We’ll start by walking the location together and working out the angles. I’ll direct where to position the car for each setup, and we’ll move through a range of angles, front three-quarter, rear three-quarter, side profile, and close-up details. If you have specific shots in mind, bring references. I’m happy to work toward a particular look.
Shoot days are collaborative. If something isn’t working, we adjust. If a better background appears down the road, we move. The goal is photos you’re genuinely proud of, not a rigid checklist.
AutoDMV Handles Location Scouting
You don’t need to have a location in mind ahead of time. I scout locations for every shoot and can recommend spots based on your car, the aesthetic you’re going for, and where we’ll get the best light that day. Just bring a clean car and we’ll handle the rest. Book your session here.