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View Full Version : Shop Promotional Shoot Questions

Jamie Holladay
02-28-2007, 11:14 PM
I hope I have posted this in the correct place if not Mods please move it.

I have had a performance shop owner inquire about shooting for some promotional material. At this point I am not exactly sure what he wants. I know that it will be for brochures / posters & probably some web. I am 98% certain that he is going to ask me what I think I should shoot or give me full rain (which is scary). Could you guys give me some ideas of garage shots (examples would be nice).

I was at the shop last week having some work done to the Z and the 240SX and took a few snaps. I discovered that without a flash my 17-40 was not the best choice and Nifty Fifty was a bit to wide (although I did get some interesting DOF). I do not have an external flash or any lighting equipment but I can rent some no problem. With that said, some equipment suggestions would be handy as well.

Here are a couple of shots that the shop owner saw on one of the Z forums from the other day that he seemed to like:


http://www.24zero.com/APN/sharif/forged%20011_650.jpg

http://www.24zero.com/APN/sharif/forged%20004_650.jpg

Disreguarding the diry car; the fact that it was actually running on the dyno:
1. How is the angle of the first one.
2. I can shoot the car (his car) on the dyno again with out it hooked to the dyno with the equipment moved reducing the "equipment reflections" and try closing the bay door in the rear reducing the over exposure on the rear, (right?) but how do I get rid/reduce the light reflections.

I appreciate any comments/suggestion you guys might have.
Daniel Buck
02-28-2007, 11:42 PM
Just some suggestions here, I haven't done any of this type of work, but maybe some of this will get your mind thinking in the direction:

I'd try to get a shot of the shop completely empty of cars (to show off the shop). A shot of a car(s) on a lift, shot of the dyno computer, tech working on a motor (in and out of the car), clean empty engine bay and that sort of thing.

You're probably going to want to get shots of finished engines or other projects they have worked on, stuff that customers want to see.
Jacob Leveton
03-01-2007, 03:47 AM
I'd suggest having him draw out an idea of what he wants for the flier, then you can find some pics appropriately. But I think a high overhead shot of the full shop, plus some 'stock' shots of someone wrenching on a car, setting up the dyno, etc would be good.

Cruise some websites of some of the other shops in the area so you know your competition.

A couple links off the top of my head:
http://storesense.megawebservers.com/HS318/Page.bok?template=about (enjukuracing.com)
http://www.sp-power.com/ (sp engineering)
http://www.xatracing.com/aboutus.htm (XAT racing)
http://www.prostreetimport.com/default.asp

that should give you a good starting ground...
Dennis Murray
03-01-2007, 05:50 AM
Think of the story of a performance shop...what they do, who does it, where they do it, why they do it, and how they do it. Then come up with how you show that with pictures. Before setting foot in the door, I would have it completely story-boarded out.

Some it will be stock shots (I would say include interaction with a customer in the photos) and then come up with some creative off the board type shots.
Jamie Holladay
03-01-2007, 12:09 PM
Think of the story of a performance shop...what they do, who does it, where they do it, why they do it, and how they do it. Then come up with how you show that with pictures. Before setting foot in the door, I would have it completely story-boarded out.

Some it will be stock shots (I would say include interaction with a customer in the photos) and then come up with some creative off the board type shots.

Thanks Dennis. That certainly is great advice. That way I won't miss anything.

Just some suggestions here, I haven't done any of this type of work, but maybe some of this will get your mind thinking in the direction:

I'd try to get a shot of the shop completely empty of cars (to show off the shop). A shot of a car(s) on a lift, shot of the dyno computer, tech working on a motor (in and out of the car), clean empty engine bay and that sort of thing.

You're probably going to want to get shots of finished engines or other projects they have worked on, stuff that customers want to see.

Great ideas Daniel Thanks!

I'd suggest having him draw out an idea of what he wants for the flier, then you can find some pics appropriately. But I think a high overhead shot of the full shop, plus some 'stock' shots of someone wrenching on a car, setting up the dyno, etc would be good.

Cruise some websites of some of the other shops in the area so you know your competition.

A couple links off the top of my head:
http://storesense.megawebservers.com/HS318/Page.bok?template=about (enjukuracing.com)
http://www.sp-power.com/ (sp engineering)
http://www.xatracing.com/aboutus.htm (XAT racing)
http://www.prostreetimport.com/default.asp

that should give you a good starting ground...

Thanks for the Links.


As I guessed he is leaving the "creativity" up to me. Promotional Flyers and Cards are the first thing on his agenda with future promotional stuff from the photos "on file".