Creating a vintage pinup look surrounded by classic cars, automotive details, and a little personality.
Some locations almost make the creative direction obvious the moment you walk through the door. This photoshoot with Amanda Crane was one of those occasions. Surrounded by classic cars, automotive memorabilia, and firefighter equipment, we had the perfect setting for a vintage-inspired pinup session with a little extra character.
This was my second time working with Amanda, and once again, she didn't disappoint. One of the things I enjoy about working with experienced models is how they bring their own ideas and personality to a shoot. Amanda has a great sense of posing, and she knows how to work with the camera. That gives me more freedom to concentrate on the lighting, composition, and finding interesting ways to use the surroundings.
Working with Light in a Garage
One of the biggest challenges with this location was dealing with reflections. With so many vehicles and polished surfaces around us, the existing garage lighting was creating reflections in places I didn't want them. The solution was to turn off all the garage lights and take complete control of the lighting ourselves.
For the main light, I used a large 30x40-inch umbrella positioned to give Amanda soft, flattering illumination. A 36-inch umbrella provided fill, allowing me to control the contrast without losing too much detail in the shadows. I also added a small 5-inch reflector as a hair and kicker light to help separate Amanda from the background.
Using three lights gave me the flexibility to shape the light exactly where I wanted it while keeping the overall look consistent with the vintage pinup style.
Working with reflective surfaces is always something to consider when photographing around automobiles. Changing the position of a light doesn't just change how it illuminates your subject; it can also completely change what appears in the surrounding surfaces. Sometimes a small adjustment makes a big difference.
A Little Extra Care Around the Equipment
There was another consideration that might not show up in the finished photographs but was important throughout the session: protecting the cars!
I kept my camera on a tripod throughout the photoshoot, which allowed me to concentrate on composition and directing Amanda without constantly repositioning the camera. I also placed sandbags on the light stands to keep everything secure.
When you're working around valuable vehicles, you don't want to take chances with equipment accidentally tipping over. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping a photoshoot running smoothly.
The Details That Make a Difference
Of course, a location and lighting setup are only part of the equation. The smaller details can help bring a concept together.
Jackie Hanson supplied the location, vehicles, and firefighter gear, giving us several different looks to work with. Since Jackie is a big Dr Pepper fan, we even incorporated a glass-bottle Dr Pepper into a few of the photographs. It's a small detail, but those personal touches can add a little extra character to an image.
Billy Jones took care of Amanda's hair, helping complete the vintage-inspired styling.
Having people willing to contribute their time, creativity, and resources makes shoots like this possible. It's always nice when everyone involved brings something to the table.
Bringing It All Together
What I enjoy most about these types of photoshoots is the opportunity to take an interesting location and turn it into something a little different. Classic cars, vintage-inspired styling, firefighter gear, and a model who knows how to bring a pose to life gave us plenty of creative possibilities.
For photographers, this session was a good reminder that lighting a subject is only part of the job. You also have to pay attention to the environment, especially when working around reflective surfaces. For models and anyone considering a portrait or fashion session, it's also a reminder of how much planning, collaboration, and creativity can go into creating a finished photograph.
A big thank-you to Amanda Crane, Billy Jones, and Jackie Hanson for helping bring this one together. I think we created something pretty special!