a bit about me…
I’ve always had a thing about the smell of engine oil. It started when Dad was a garage manager. While he was office-bound on Saturday mornings, I was the annoying kid in the workshop always asking questions.
Since then, I’ve spent most of my time as an art director in London ad agencies. I still love the smell of oil and new cars. But these days I prefer to look at cars with a professional eye.
I’m passionate about making them look beautiful and managing the specialised photography that’s required to do so. Although to be honest, I have been known to be distracted by the scent of luxury leather now and again.
I’ve worked with many well-known marques, including Volkswagen, Bentley, Saab, Alfa Romeo, Lexus and General Motors. Most recently, I’ve developed close working relationships with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW, helping them with many global launches for different models including Ghost, Phantom II, Ghost II, Wraith, Dawn and 6 Series.
how I like to work…
Did I say closely? It’s important to me to be part of a team, recognising and appreciating what everyone brings to the project.
collaboration
Working with agencies, marketing directors and car designers like Andreas Thurner and Giles Taylor, I’ve been asked to do everything from helping to select colours for shoot cars to discovering the optimum angles, and most importantly, choosing the right photographers.
planning, directing, production and retouching
I’ve developed multiple channel campaigns and created visual themes and styles that bring these cars to life. For a bit of ‘old school’, and to help everyone visualize the end result, I can accurately sketch car angles set in their locations. I pride myself on careful and detailed planning, directing complete suites of photography and progressing imagery through to post-production - whether that includes conventional stills, CGI or film.
meticulous attention to detail
You know how expensive and time-pressured car shoots can be. There’s no room for error.
Everything must be thought through beforehand, every eventuality prepared for. The shoot should run like clockwork – usually there’s only one chance to get it right and capture the perfect images in the right light.
It’s not a job for a junior. It needs someone who not only has the creativity and vision, but also has a wealth of experience. Someone who can cover every detail meticulously and deliver stunning imagery that seamlessly blends art and commerce.