How to prepare for a professional car photoshoot

Whether you're selling your car, building your Instagram, or running a brand campaign, a well-prepared photoshoot makes all the difference. Here's my method, after hundreds of shoots in Lyon and the surrounding region.

1. Choose the right time

Golden hour (recommended)

The golden hour, just after sunrise or just before sunset, gives warm, directional light. It's the ideal time for car paintwork.

• Morning: softer light, fewer people around
• Evening: more dramatic skies, warmer colors

Night / neon

For a more urban, nocturnal style, lit parking lots, city neon, or car headlights create spectacular reflections on the paintwork.

Avoid

• High noon: harsh shadows, reflections hard to control
• Flat overcast: lack of contrast (unless you want a soft studio look)

2. Prepare the vehicle

This is the part everyone neglects, and it's the most important.

• Full wash: bodywork, wheels, wheel arches, windows
• No wax right before: it creates hard-to-control reflections
• Remove accessories: extra radars, antennas, stickers
• Clean tires: a black, shiny tire makes a huge difference in photos
• Interior if needed: dashboard, seats, console

3. The gear

My setup for car shoots:

• Sony A7 III + Zeiss 24-70mm f/4: versatile, quality results
• Wide angle (16-35mm): for wide shots and details
• Tripod: for long night exposures
• Polarizer: reduces reflections on windows and paintwork

4. Essential angles

3/4 front

The classic. Shows the front and side. Low position, lens at headlight level.

Profile

The car's pure line. Watch the background.

3/4 rear

Highlights the rear design, often overlooked.

Details

Wheels, mirrors, grille, lighting, leather stitching, steering wheel. This is what separates a pro shoot from an amateur one.

Interior

Dashboard from a low angle, seats, screen, controls.

5. My car shoot pricing

• Single (1h, 10 photos): €120
• Editorial (2h, 20 photos): €200
• Dealership (full day): €450

HD delivery, retouched within 10 days. Book your session.

Car photographer based in Lyon, available throughout the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.