Introduction to car photography

A high-quality photo can sell a car before a customer ever steps foot on the lot.

Think of some of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers like Toyota, Volkswagen and General Motors. All have used car photography to build their brands and increase sales throughout their histories. Just take a look at the picture of the VW camper below - images like this tell a compelling story about the vehicle that captures a buyer's attention.

Yet for many automotive companies nowadays, high-quality car photography remains an afterthought, seen as too costly or time-consuming. Often, it’s left to sales executives or apprentices, who treat it like a chore that’s pulling them away from selling. As Shaun Bosley, Phyron’s EU & UK Senior Account Executive and a former dealership apprentice, recalls:

“When I was a sales apprentice I was left to photograph all the stock. I didn’t know what I was doing!”

Treating your car photography like this is a big risk, when you really think about it. High-quality imagery isn’t just about nice aesthetics - it directly impacts customer trust and decision-making. Shaun adds:

“It’s your shop window. If someone sees poor images, it subconsciously starts to talk to you about how they run the rest of their business.”

Why good car photography is crucial

When car buyers look for their next vehicle - whether it’s a used hatchback or a brand-new premium SUV - they expect clear, accurate, and visually compelling photos. If you’re failing to meet these expectations, either as a dealership or OEM, then you’re likely missing out on sales.

In contrast, get your car photography right and you can expect to see:

✔️ Increased click-through rates on online listings
✔️ Reduced buyer hesitation as you’ll be showing all the best angles, features, and potential imperfections upfront
✔️ Strengthened brand perception, suggesting you care about detail and professionalism

Think about how supermarkets and the major retail stores operate - they invest millions into perfecting product placement and designing desirable displays. Why? Because presentation is essential to capturing attention and influencing a purchase.

The same principle applies to car photography. Buyers can form an impression in seconds - online or offline - so if your vehicle images look rushed or poorly composed, you’ll struggle to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Moreover, the quality of your photos can help build or erode trust. In sales, trust is critical. Customers who see professional, well-lit, and detailed images are more likely to believe that your dealership or OEM takes care of its stock and its customers.

Conversely, sloppy photos can make a potential buyer question how much you value quality overall.

In the fast-paced environment of automotive retail, acknowledging how vital car photography is can sometimes feel like a burden to busy sales teams. But instead of seeing it as a chore, recognise it as a direct extension of:

✔️ Your brand
✔️ Your professionalism
✔️ The trust you’re trying to build with every customer interaction

Getting started with car photography

So, how do you increase the quality of your car photography? Well the right lighting, angles, and composition are a good place to start. As Ross, a professional photographer, we spoke to notes:

“We’re bombarded by images all day, but we don’t really see the process behind them. Once you know how lighting, angles, and composition work, you can transform the way people view a car.”

This guide will show you how to master these fundamentals, make the most of AI and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re a dealership just looking to sell stock quicker or an OEM creating brand campaigns, you’ll learn how to produce images that not only capture attention but also drive sales.

Let’s get started.

Essential equipment for professional car photography

Behind any great car photography is great equipment.

Sure, beautiful backgrounds, flattering lighting, and impressive angles matter (and we’ll get onto those later) but without the right equipment in place, it’s harder to capture crisp, impactful images. Let’s dive into the basics.

Camera recommendations: DSLR vs. Mirrorless vs. Smartphones

A modern camera can elevate your shots from amateur to eye-catching. While mirrorless models are lighter, faster, and more future-proof, DSLRs still hold their own for image quality - often at a lower price point.

Mirrorless cameras: Ideal if you’re starting fresh and want advanced autofocus, an electronic viewfinder, and a more compact form.

DSLRs: Great for those on a tighter budget looking for a reliable entry point to car photography.

Smartphones: Nowadays, a modern smartphone can also work wonders. Especially when paired with our very own Phyron App. This will guide you through the perfect photoshoot in just five minutes and then transform your snaps into studio-quality static and video ads - using car photo editing technology.

Must-Have camera lenses for different angles

No single lens covers every scenario. Different focal lengths let you highlight a car’s shape, interior details, or performance cues. Smartphones can cover these focal ranges pretty well these days - particularly in the wide angle and standard range - but keep in mind that when paired with a traditional camera, telephoto lenses will generally provide better quality for those detail shots.

Wide-angle (16–35 mm): Excellent for interior shots or tight spaces, capturing the entire car in a limited area.

Standard zoom (24–70 mm): A versatile choice for most exterior angles. Think of this as your go-to lens for walk-around shots.

Telephoto (70–200 mm): Perfect for detail shots of badges, wheels, or panning action shots of cars in motion.

Tripods, gimbals, and stabilisers

Tripods: help you keep every shot steady and consistent, which is especially key for dealerships aiming for uniformity across multiple vehicle listings. A basic, lightweight tripod often does the trick for stills.
Gimbals: best for dynamic angles, but can be overkill if you’re only shooting static images.
Stabilisers: handy if you’re moving around a lot or switching between photo and video modes.

Additional gear: polarizing filters, reflectors, and drones

Polarizers: Reduce glare and reflections on glass or metallic paint, helping the car’s true colour shine through.
Reflectors: Fill in shadows, especially useful for interiors or close-ups of smaller details.
Drones: Offer dramatic, high-angle perspectives that standard cameras can’t match. Keep in mind local regulations and the learning curve to pilot a drone safely.

A final note:

The best gear in the world won’t guarantee stunning images if the fundamentals - composition, lighting, and attention to detail - are overlooked. However, when you pair solid technique with reliable equipment, like a good camera or the Phyron App, the result is a polished, professional photo that can catch a buyer’s eye and convey real value.

Preparing for the perfect car photo shoot

Another essential at the heart of any good photo is a bit of prep work. And a good place to begin is by picking your location.

Choosing the right location

Selecting a suitable backdrop will not only help highlight key aspects of the vehicle, it can also reinforce your brand image. Broadly speaking you have two options, outdoor or indoor settings.

Outdoor vs. Indoor settings

Outdoor: Natural settings can add character and context. Think scenic roads for sports cars or industrial backdrops for trucks. However, when outdoors you’re at the mercy of weather and changing light.

Indoor: A controlled environment, such as a dedicated photo bay or studio space, ensures consistent lighting and minimal distractions. The downside is setup costs and space requirements.

When weighing up whether to shoot outdoors or indoors, be sure to think carefully about the impact of background clutter - like other vehicles - as these can detract from the car’s features and appear unprofessional.

As Phyron’s EU & UK Senior Account Executive, Shaun Bosley sees hundreds of photos from automotive retailers every day, and sees them making some common mistakes:

“Often I see retailers shooting wherever they can, even by the bins on the lot floor! While I do understand the struggle of finding a good location, the reality is that those bad backgrounds can have a negative impact on your brand.”

So, whether it’s a neutral wall, a scenic spot, or a simple parking lot, pick a background that spotlights the vehicle rather than competes with it - and remember to never snap near the bins

Why the location matters less with AI technology

AI-driven background removal tools - like Phyron’s Enhanced Stills product - reduce the need to scurry around for the perfect spot. As Shaun further points out:

“If you’ve got someone running around the lot taking pictures, AI can handle background removal, re-centering, and even re-lighting. It won’t let you take a bad photo - every shot is consistent.”

For small dealerships especially, this can be a game-changer. Instead of waiting for good weather or designating a special photo bay, staff can shoot each car quickly on the forecourt, then let AI handle the aesthetics.

The importance of lighting in car photography

Lighting - like location - can make or break a car shot. Poor lighting can create unwanted reflections or shadows, while the right lighting showcases the vehicle’s curves and lines. Your two options are either natural or artificial lighting

Natural light vs. Artificial light

Natural light: This is typically best during “golden hours” shortly after sunrise or before sunset - when the sunlight is softer and angled. Cloudy or overcast days can also help diffuse harsh sunlight, reducing glare and balancing the overall exposure. It’s obviously cheaper to shoot using natural light but you’ll have less control.

Artificial light: Perfect for consistent, repeatable conditions (especially for dealerships that need uniformity across many vehicles). It can be more expensive and complex but ensures control over reflections and brightness. If you find that interior shots are particularly dark don’t forget about your interior lights too, as switching these on can give your pictures a boost of light.

The final touches

Last but not least, those little details - cleaning, detailing, and positioning - can ensure that the vehicle shines in all the right places. Let’s dive into these final finishing steps that pull everything together.

Cleaning and detailing tips

✔ Wash and dry the exterior, making sure to remove water spots.
✔ Clean the windows and mirrors as smudges or streaks will show in photos.
✔ Vacuum and wipe down the interior if you plan on taking cabin shots.

A thorough detailing not only looks professional but also instills confidence in potential buyers.

Positioning for maximum impact

Think about how you want the car’s lines to appear. Turning the wheels slightly outward so the rims face the camera often looks better than shooting the rubber head-on. As Ross explains:

“One of the tips a lot of people miss is turning the wheel so you’re looking at the rim, not the tyre. It’s a small detail, but it really helps the car stand out.”

Techniques for capturing stunning car photos

Beyond having the right equipment and putting in the prep work, it’s about knowing how to bring out the car’s personality. Whether you’re after sleek glamour shots for a premium coupe or dynamic action shots for a rugged pickup, specific techniques can elevate a photo from “forgettable” to “unforgettable.”

In this section we’ll explore the practical methods the pros use, so you can adapt them to your dealership or OEM needs and consistently capture images that turn heads and drive sales.

Mastering composition and framing

No matter how well you’ve cleaned or lit a car, poor composition can undermine the final result. Thoughtful framing is key to guiding a viewer’s gaze to the most important details—like the lines of a sports car or the cabin layout of a family SUV.

Rule of thirds and leading lines

By carefully positioning the vehicle along the imaginary gridlines (the rule of thirds) or using strong directional cues in the background (leading lines), you can guide the viewer’s gaze exactly where you want it - straight to the car.

Whether it’s a winding road behind a sports coupe or the architectural lines of a building framing a luxury sedan, these subtle compositional techniques create a dynamic, purposeful shot that instantly feels professional.

Highlighting key car features

It’s not just about capturing the car as a whole, but also showcasing those unique elements that set one model apart from another. Focusing on signature details can help prospective buyers imagine themselves behind the wheel, allowing them to connect with the car’s personality and see exactly what makes it worth their attention.

Emphasise distinct elements such as high-class headlights.

Gorgeous grilles…

Or distinct interior details…

Anything that sets the car apart. Shooting from slightly lower can also make the car look more imposing, as professional photographer Ross explains:

“You want to get a little bit lower down, level with the wheel arch, to give a more powerful look. If you’re standing at head height, you’re usually weakening the subject”.

The best angles for different vehicles

Not all cars are created equal, nor are the angles that flatter them. By tailoring your angles to each vehicle type, you’ll capture the unique essence of every model - whether it’s sleek, rugged, or practical - and give potential buyers a more compelling reason to take notice.

Hatchbacks & compact cars: Use a slightly lower front three-quarter angle to highlight their friendly proportions and modern styling.

Minivans: Open the sliding doors and capture a wide, family-friendly angle that underscores easy access and spacious interiors.

Sports Cars: Favour dramatic, low angles that enhance sleek lines and performance cues.

SUVs and Trucks: Shoot from a slightly elevated position to emphasise size and ground clearance.

Sedans: A front three-quarter angle or side profile usually shows off design lines and proportions well.

How AI can help you pick the perfect angles

A common challenge at busy dealerships is missing key angles - like the rear seats or specific wheel details - simply because there’s no set process. AI-based car photography tools like the Phyron App tackle this by using live angle detection, prompting you through every essential shot. As Shaun Bosley, Phyron’s EU & UK Senior Account Executive, explains:

“You couldn’t forget the back seats if you wanted to. The app prompts you for every shot the management wants, making it compulsory. You set your standard and you nail it every time.”

By guiding staff step by step through the different angles, AI like the Phyron app ensures:

✔ No overlooked details as each angle is prompted, from interior close-ups to exterior features.
✔ Less reliance on a single “photo-savvy” employee as anyone can follow the prompts and get consistent results.
✔ Uniform quality across the board as car images maintain the same standards, no matter who’s handling the camera.

Dynamic Shots: capturing motion and speed

Last but definitely not least, action shots (rolling or panning) can bring cars to life. For simpler panning:

1. Stand safely by the roadside or shoot from a moving car nearby.
2. Use a slower shutter speed (around 1/30 to 1/60).
3. Track the car smoothly as it passes by to blur the background while keeping the car relatively sharp.

Post-processing tips for professional results

It’s through tweaking exposure, fine-tuning colours, and removing any distracting elements that you can make a decent image truly striking. As Ross, the professional photographer we spoke to earlier, points out:

“Automotive work is generally highly edited. There’s a lot that goes into cleaning up reflections, fixing shadows, enhancing colour and capturing that eye-catching showroom look.”

For dealerships or OEMs looking to save time, AI tools like Phyron can automate post-processing, ensuring a professional finish without lengthy manual workflows. Equally though, there's more hands-on options if you’d prefer to go down that route too.

In this section, we’ll explore popular editing software and advanced techniques that can elevate your car photos from standard to standout.

Recommended photo editing software

Phyron’s Enhanced Stills: Our AI-driven photo editing solution that automatically removes busy backgrounds, upscales resolution, and ensures a consistent, branded look for every car image.

Adobe Lightroom: Great for overall exposure tweaks, colour correction, and batch processing.

Adobe Photoshop: Perfect for detail work like removing distractions and blending exposures.

Alternatives to also consider: Snapseed , GIMP and Capture One

Basic adjustments: exposure, contrast, and colour correction

Minor tweaks to highlights and shadows can make details pop. Here’s how exposure, contrast and colour correction can interplay to bring your images to life.

Exposure
Exposure determines how light or dark your overall image appears. Adjusting exposure can bring out hidden detail in the shadows or recover information in the highlights, both of which are especially useful for showing off a car’s body lines and interior details. Aim to keep the most important areas of the image well-exposed, and check the histogram or an exposure meter to avoid over-or underexposing.

Contrast
Contrast is the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. Increasing contrast can add depth and drama to car photos, emphasising the vehicle’s contours and shaping. Be cautious, though, as too much contrast can crush details in the shadows or blow out highlights, leading to an unrealistic or harsh look.

Colour correction
Colour correction ensures the car’s paint, interior, and environment look true to life (or match your brand’s desired aesthetic). Start by setting the correct white balance so whites appear neutral rather than tinted. Then, adjust specific hues and saturation levels to remove colour casts or enhance key elements - like metallic flake in the paint or vivid brake calipers - while keeping the image believable and well-balanced.

Conclusion

Even with the best gear and intentions, car photography can go off track if you overlook a few basics. Overediting - like adding excessive saturation or sharpness - can produce unnatural results, while ignoring reflections and background clutter distracts from the car’s appeal. Elsewhere, poor lighting choices - such as shooting in harsh midday sun - often lead to unflattering shadows or glare.

To avoid these pitfalls, focus on best practices that ensure professionalism and efficiency. A consistent visual style across online listings and social media reinforces brand identity, while simple steps like resizing images properly and using descriptive filenames help with website load times and search engine optimisation.

At the heart of key takeaways for successful car photography are a few core principles:

✓ Invest in clear, detailed shots
✓ Pay close attention to angles and lighting
✓ Maintain brand-wide consistency
✓ Consider AI-powered tools to speed up your workflow

Above all, practice makes perfect. Experiment with different times of day, try new angles, and refine your techniques over time.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of technology to polish your results. AI-driven background removal, for instance, can standardise shots and reduce retakes, ultimately getting more vehicles online faster. As Ross, the professional photographer, we spoke to notes:

“While there’s a lot that goes into a professional shoot, AI can give dealerships a quick, consistent look for everyday stock.”

By combining timeless photography fundamentals with modern, automated solutions, your dealership or OEM will stand out in the crowded marketplace. And drive more leads, more sales, and a stronger brand identity as a result.