How to Get Professional Looking Car Photography at an AutoShow

Creating Studio-Style Car Photos at the Michigan International Auto Show

Each year, the Michigan International Auto Show at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids showcases some of the most stunning vehicles in the industry. For photographers and car enthusiasts alike, capturing professional-quality images in a crowded, cluttered convention center can be a real challenge.

At Holladay Photography, we specialize in automotive photography, studio-style car portraits, and professional car photography. With the right technique, a single light, and some Photoshop magic, we transformed these auto show images into sleek, high-end car portraits that look like they were shot in a professional studio.

The One-Light Technique for Professional Car Photography

The key to high-quality car photography is controlling the light. Auto shows are filled with harsh overhead lighting, mixed color temperatures, and distracting reflections. Instead of fighting these conditions, we used a one-light setup to create a clean, dramatic automotive portrait.

Gear and Setup for Stunning Car Photos:

• Light: A single Godox AD200 flash with a softbox to produce soft yet directional light.
• Camera: A full-frame DSLR with a 24-70mm lens, ideal for capturing sharp details and beautiful car contours.
• Settings: Low ISO (100-200) to reduce noise, an aperture of f/8-f/11 for depth of field, and a shutter speed fast enough to minimize unwanted ambient light.

By carefully positioning the light, we sculpted the car’s lines while reducing the impact of harsh reflections. The softbox created a smooth, natural falloff, making the vehicles appear as though they were shot in a high-end automotive photography studio.

Post-Processing Magic: Transforming Auto Show Photos into Studio-Quality Car Images

Even with expert lighting, auto shows present one major challenge—background clutter. People, banners, and bright overhead lights can distract from the car’s beauty.

This is where Photoshop editing for car photography comes into play. Using a combination of:

Layer masking to remove unwanted distractions
Gradient and curve adjustments to enhance the lighting effect
Dodging and burning to refine reflections and highlights

We turned busy, distracting auto show photos into flawless, professional car portraits that look like they belong in a magazine or showroom.

Why This Studio-Style Car Photography Technique Works

By simplifying the lighting setup and focusing on post-processing techniques for car photography, we created a luxury car photography look without needing a full studio. This method is perfect for:

Car dealerships looking for professional automotive photography
Car collectors who want high-end car portraits
Auto show photography enthusiasts
Luxury vehicle owners wanting stunning, magazine-quality images

At Holladay Photography, we believe in creating bold, cinematic, and moment-driven automotive portraits. Whether you're looking for professional car photography in Grand Rapids or want to book a session for your personal vehicle, we’ve got you covered.

Book Your Professional Car Photography Session Today!

Want your vehicle to look as stunning as the cars at the Michigan International Auto Show? Contact Holladay Photography for expert car photography in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

📩 Get in touch today to schedule your professional car photography session!

Have a favorite car from the Michigan International Auto Show? Drop a comment below and let us know which one you'd love to see in a professional shoot!