The 10 Best Car Photographers in Los Angeles
Photo by Blake Meyer on Unsplash
Automotive photography isn’t quite like any other type of commercial photography. While it shares much in common with other product photography, in this case the product is huge, heavy, difficult to light, reflective, and might need to be traveling at a breakneck speed and thus need to be tracked—there are a ton of complicating factors. California’s a hub for automotive photography, and the best Los Angeles car photographers combine world-class technical know-how with a keen sense of visual style to produce some of the best car photography on the planet.
1. Richard Thompson III
Richard Thompson III’s work is atmospheric and moody, often even dipping into cyberpunk or vaporwave aesthetics. There’s a pulsing energy to his images and a level of slick production and creativity that you don’t see every day. He’s without a doubt one of the best Los Angeles car photographers, as a quick peek at his Instagram feed will confirm.
2. Jeff Ludes
If you name a car manufacturer, the odds are good they’ve been a Jeff Ludes client at one time or another. Ludes found his way into photography by documenting skateboarders, then honing that creative spark into true professional expertise. He aims to craft images that evoke an emotional response in his audience, and we think he does an excellent job of it.
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3. Robert Kerian
Robert Kerian’s work is polished and stylish, just right for billboards and magazine spreads (and it’s not a coincidence that his work is frequently featured in both.) He’s been the choice of Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, and Mercedes, to name a few. For our money, he excels at outdoor shots, isolating a sports car in motion and capturing the perfect blur of a landscape zipping past. These aren’t easy shots to achieve, and they require technical skill as well as creativity. It’s having both that solidifies Kerian’s position as one of the best Los Angeles car photographers.
4. Simon Puschmann
Simon Puschmann claims to live and breathe photography, and it shows in his work. He works internationally, helming high-end photoshoots for automotive brands in far-flung locations like Singapore and Chile. His personal work is also fascinating and boundary-pushing, which is always good to see—the best photographers are the ones who never stop experimenting and pushing themselves. It keeps the work fresh.
5. Easton Chang
Easton Chang splits his time between Australia and Los Angeles, and the odds are good you’ve seen his work in advertisements and on magazine covers. He’s been the choice of Cadillac, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar, General Motors, and Mazda, to name a few. He’s self-taught, which we admire, and that ingenuity shines through in his work. Indeed, he’ll do anything to get the perfect shot, like in this very low shot from practically against the rear wheel of a moving vehicle.
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6. Derek Johnson
Los Angeles car photographer Derek Johnson originally dreamed of playing pro baseball, but an injury kept him from pursuing it seriously and led him instead down a different path. He accepted a friend’s invite to a photography class, then quickly fell into it. As an introverted kid with some confidence issues, he found that photography gave him a voice and an outlet, and over the years, he made that voice speak proudly and boldly through the lens. We’re happy he did because his portfolio is deep and diverse, and his car photography is some of the best in the country. To see what he brings to the table, check out his Instagram feed.
7. Curve Digital
Curve Digital is a UK creative agency with its US home base in Los Angeles. They’ve got world-class photographers, but they’re also top-of-the-line retouchers. They’ve got proficiency in CGI and 3D renders, and bringing a bit of that juice to editing their photos does wonders for their advertising imagery. They create some of the best high-end car ad material in the world, let alone California. Just look at their work—it speaks for itself.
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8. David Masemore
David Masemore splits his time between Los Angeles and Tampa, Florida, so he’s got a thing for sun and sand. He brings a sincere love of automobiles to the work, which lends an authenticity to the work. We also think he’s got a better-than-average handle on incorporating models into his cars shoots—they bring a lifestyle photography vibe to his work, which infuses it with a liveliness. Cars are driven by people, after all. Check him out.
9. Anthony Dias
Like the other photographers on this list, Anthony Dias has worked with many of the most respected automotive brands in the world, including Mercedes, Cadillac, and BMW. He’s steadily built a reputation as one of the best Los Angeles car photographers working today by paying his dues for years, working with both agencies and brands from a young age. A true student of the photography craft, he’s well-prepared for any project, as his Instagram demonstrates.
10. Jordan Shiraki
On top of being an amazing photographer, Jordan Shiraki is a fabulous graphic designer and videographer. Each of these skills reinforces and complements the others, meaning he’s quite the creative powerhouse packed into one package. He’s an expert in that sun-drenched style of outdoor explorer car photography—you know the ones, with the car kicking up a mile-long dust cloud across the desert or tearing down a tree-covered mountain highway. We love his work, and you will too.
The best auto brands in the world choose these amazing photographers.
The Los Angeles area is prime territory for car photography, in large part thanks to its varied landscapes. Photographers have access to all of the vistas you’ll commonly find in car photography—barren deserts, winding coastal roads, snow-covered mountaintops, and lush forested ridges. The best Los Angeles car photographers are those who know the locations, know their equipment, and bring a sincere love of automobiles to the table. We love looking at their work, and we hope you do, too.
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