Car auction photography

Car auction photography in San Diego

Kanyon Studio photographs cars for online auction listings across San Diego County. Every set follows the published Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids shot lists: full exterior walk-around, interior, engine bay, undercarriage, wheels, gauges, documentation and the flaws, delivered on the agreed timeline in the sizes the platforms accept. Next-day delivery may be available by prior arrangement; any rush fee and deadline are agreed before booking. *Starting rates depend on scope, editing and location. Get an official quote confirming your deliverables before booking.

Get a quoteSee the work

Starting rates — get an official quote

Half dayFrom $700*
Full dayFrom $1,400*
Drone aerialsQuoted by scopeAdded to a shoot for context and top-down frames
Walk-around and cold-start videoQuotedPriced with the shoot from your brief
All rates
Vehicle photographed for an auction listing by Kanyon Studio in San Diego

How it is shot

Vehicle coverage

Vehicle coverage can include exterior views, paint and trim details, wheels, interior, engine bay and identification details. Undercarriage coverage depends on safe access.

The flaws are photographed on purpose. Rock chips, curb rash, seat wear and dash cracks are shot clearly and delivered with the set, because a listing that shows its condition honestly gets more confident bids and fewer post-sale disputes.

Location is chosen for the car. A clean backdrop, even light and enough room to walk the full exterior. Driveways, storage units and detail shops in San Diego County all work, and the schedule runs around the detailer so the car is photographed at its cleanest.

What gets photographed

Exterior walk-around
Front, rear, both sides, all four three-quarter angles and the profile, at consistent height.
Details and trim
Badges, lights, glass, wheels, tires with tread visible, exhaust tips and any period-correct parts.
Interior
Driver and passenger seats, rear seats, dash, gauges, headliner, trunk and every control that matters.
Engine bay and underside
Both sides of the bay, belts and hoses, fluid levels, and the undercarriage on a lift where available.
Documentation
Odometer, VIN plate, build tag, title, service records, manuals, spare keys and tool kit.
Condition and flaws
Every imperfection shot clearly so the description and the photos agree.

Marine

Boat and yacht photography

Listing sets for brokers and owners, with aerials of the hull and slip.

Builders

Pool and landscape photography

Twilight and daylight sets for completed backyard projects.

Aerial

Drone photography

Part 107 aerials added to any shoot or flown standalone.

Questions

Do you follow the Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids photo guides?

Yes. Both platforms publish a shot list and a photo guide. Every set is shot in that order and delivered at the resolution and aspect ratios they accept, so the listing goes together without a second visit.
How many photos come with an auction set?
Enough to cover the full shot list, typically well over a hundred finished frames for a single car, including the flaws. Platforms reward complete documentation, so nothing is held back to hit a count.
Where do you shoot the car?
Anywhere in San Diego County with even light and room to walk the exterior. Driveways, storage, detail shops and private garages all work. If you want a specific backdrop, say so in the brief.
Do you drive the car?
No. You or your representative moves and positions the car. Rolling shots need a second vehicle and a driver, and are arranged and quoted with the shoot.
Can you also shoot the walk-around and cold-start video?
Yes. Most listings benefit from a walk-around, a cold start and a short drive clip. Video is quoted with the shoot from your brief.
Who owns the photos?
You do. Full rights are included for the listing, your own records and any future sale.

Get a quote

Send the project details, location and preferred date. Scope, price and availability are confirmed after reviewing the brief.

Get a quote
Half day from $700*Shot to the platform listsFlaws documentedDelivery by agreement