Automotive
3 minute read - Mar 05, 2024

Selling Luxury - The importance of professional photography for car auctions

Presentation is everything. Capture the attention of luxury car buyers and get you more sales. Do it with professional car photography.
Darren Blench
Enterprise Partnerships

Why do we stop and look when we see a gorgeous high-end luxury car or a mint-condition classic car?

Photo by Kayle Kaupanger

Of course, we admire the automobile's beauty and lines. But it's more than that. Most of us also do a bit of daydreaming. We picture ourselves behind the wheel of that beautiful car on a spontaneous road trip. We imagine it parked in front of our home. We fantasize about what kind of awesome life would have such a fantastic car.

If you're in the market for a used luxury car, you do more than daydream. You search what cars are on the market. And there are more options for online car auctioneers than ever.

Smartphone photos may work for the average used car on Craigslist or Facebook. But not for luxury or classic cars. Luxury car buyers want cars that stand out. They want intricate hood ornaments, wood dashboards, and smooth leather seats. So, you need to show your inventory at its best.

Here are four reasons why professional photographs will boost your car sales.

1. There’s more competitors arriving each month

Photo by Adrian Dorobantu

The car industry has moved online. Companies mimicking Carvana and Bring A Trailer are springing up everywhere. Customers now have more options to shop. They come to your site armed with facts, figures, and a price. When they’re looking at a car, they don't want to read a lot of written information.

Showing professional photos will keep users interested. The photos should be uniform. This will help keep users engaged on the site.

Luxury car auction customers expect top-notch photos. Brands like Jaguar, Porsche, and Cadillac set high standards. Your cellphone camera won't impress them. Professional photography is essential to stand out. Your website images represent your reputation. Strive for perfection, not compromise.

2. Professional photos boost your bottom line

Photography is vital for marketing and merchandising, offering good returns.

Take Bring a Trailer, for instance. They auctioned this 20-year-old Honda Civic for $50,000 online.

How did they do it? High-quality photos showcased all essential details. Multiple images displayed the low mileage, powerful engine, and mint condition.

Professional photography is key when selling luxury cars online. Buyers seek detailed images for informed purchases. A photographer enhances quality and condition in images using expertise.

3. Attention to details sells

A photo may look great on your phone. But, zooming in to show details on a cool hubcap, a vintage car dashboard clock, or an immaculate engine isn't easy.

Tiny pixels, small squares of color, create camera images. You might not notice individual pixels in a photo. But, they become visible when you zoom in or enlarge some images. This is why some enlarged photos appear blurry or choppy.

Low pixel photos might remind buyers of early video games like Donkey Kong or Sonic the Hedgehog. These games are "classic." But, selling old cars from brands like Porsche, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz requires high quality. High-resolution photos keep details sharp on classic cars. Professional photographers excel at showcasing every detail for potential buyers.

4. High-end cars need matching high-end photography

Most car ads feature people driving on beautiful open roads. It evokes feelings of freedom and independence while driving.

Since cars have a design for movement, photographers should capture this aspect. A professional photographer can capture the essence of freedom and mobility.

Customers associate high-end with brands like Porsche and Maserati. Professional photos level the playing field against these brands. Want high-quality photos but unsure how to start?

Snappr can help. Snappr offers a vast network of trusted photographers where you can book a shoot with two hours notice. From there, all images are professionally edited for consistency and quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do professional photos make luxury cars more appealing to buyers compared to regular photos?

A: Professional photos enhance the appeal of luxury cars by highlighting their features and aesthetics in a way that standard photos cannot. They evoke emotions and desires in potential buyers, contributing to increased sales.

Q: How do professional photos help build trust and reputation for car auctioneers, especially in the luxury car market?

A: Professional photos convey professionalism and credibility for car auctioneers, particularly in the competitive luxury car market. They showcase the high-quality inventory and attention to detail, which resonates with sophisticated buyers and builds trust in the auctioneer's brand.

Q: What are the costs and steps involved in getting professional photos for luxury car auctions?

A: Obtaining professional photos for luxury car auctions involves hiring skilled photographers who specialize in automotive photography. Snappr offers a convenient platform to connect with skilled photographers at competitive rates, allowing auctioneers to efficiently capture their inventory's essence without compromising on quality.

The process typically includes staging the cars, capturing multiple angles and details, and post-processing the images to ensure they meet high standards. It's essential to consider the investment as part of the overall marketing strategy to attract discerning buyers and maximize sales potential.

About the author

Darren Blench
Enterprise Partnerships

Darren Blench leads partnerships for enterprise Automotive clients at Snappr. He has helped dozens of major players in the industry with their content strategy. He is available for a no-obligation consultation about your Automotive photography needs.

Email me

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