It’s not always about the camera, lenses, filters, and other tech-related items that make an automotive photo shoot successful. When it comes to preparing for a photo shoot, numerous accessories can help your shoot be more comfortable and, in addition, provide more options for composition. During an automotive shoot, there are some items and accessories that I always bring with me to assist in gaining different perspectives as well as provide a bit more comfort and ease during the shoot. So, after packing my camera, lenses, tripods, etc., here are five essential, non-camera-related items I have with me during an automotive photo shoot.

1. Towels or a Kneeling Mat

I carry a few old towels in my trunk to rest my knees when shooting low by rolling one up. Sometimes, the camera is at a height that is too high to use the viewfinder while sitting on the ground or low enough that bending over constantly to check composition is uncomfortable. Also, I use another towel to gather my gear when away from my car (where I usually have it in the trunk or backseat), avoiding damage and assuring I have everything in one area. For example, the Ice Light 2 is something I don’t necessarily want to scratch up, and I would not want to place filters and lenses directly on the ground. Carrying towels on shoots allows protection and organization.

You can purchase kneeling mats if you want something more comfortable on the knees. They are probably better than rolling up a towel, although you probably already have some old towels lying around that you could use, saving you the purchase of a kneeling mat.

2. Microfiber Cloths

Along with towels, I have a few microfiber cloths with me. I use these to dust off the interior of the car when photographing areas of interest. You will see pretty much all the dust and dirt in your photos in close-ups, especially using a macro lens, so removing as much dust as possible is important to save time in post-processing. Also, have a separate, clean one in your camera bag for cleaning smudges off lenses and filters.

3. Step Ladder

I bought a small step ladder from Home Depot and tried to take it with me on outdoor shoots. It’s amazing how much of a difference three feet can make in composition. If you choose to use a step ladder, be sure the ladder is sturdy and locked in place. Chances are you will be standing on the top taking your photographs, and you don’t want to fall off. Be very careful using a stepladder during your shoot.

4. Beanbag

A beanbag is a bead-filled bag that you can use for various purposes and is almost impossible to damage. A beanbag is very useful if using a camera without a tilting screen, as it’s challenging to compose that low. When I want to get that really low angle, I’ll lie on the ground and position my camera on the beanbag in front of me. This allows me to use a higher f-stop without chances of motion blur, which is beneficial during evening shoots with less natural light.

A bean bag can also be used for additional weight; some tripods allow you to hang the beanbag from them to increase stability.

5. Headlamp

Even though I have this in my bag, I don’t use it every time, but it sure does come in handy when shooting in the dark and is especially useful during light painting. A headlamp doesn’t have to be powerful, just enough to illuminate the camera so I can see my settings. Keep in mind this will differ with the camera. Although the 5D Mark II has an illuminated screen on the top, the light doesn’t stay on too long, and I don’t want it on constantly anyway. It’s much easier to use a headlamp to see the settings than to try to find the little light button on top of the camera in the dark. You will want to switch the headlamp off when taking the photo, as you don’t want any unwanted light source to bleed into your composition.

Furthermore, having a headlamp makes it easier to place all your gear during a dark shoot and ensures you aren’t missing or forgetting anything on-site.

Bonus

• I’d also recommend bringing you a big bottle of water and some snacks. I frequently picked up a car an hour or two before sunset and arrived home at 10 or 11 pm. That can be 4-5 hours. Stay hydrated and satiated to stay focused on the shoot.

• Also, wear clothes and shoes you are not concerned about getting dirty or somehow ruined. You could be lying on the ground, walking through dirt or mud, or climbing up on things for better composition. Who knows! Whatever it is, you don’t want to worry about getting a scuff on your shoes or snagging your shirt on something.

Summary

Towels are easy items to carry around with you as they can be thrown in the backseat or trunk of the car, and it’s a convenient way to provide some protection for your gear and give you a clean place to lay down if you are getting a low-angle shot. And when you are lying on the ground to get that low angle, a beanbag is an effortless way to stabilize your camera without trying to balance it on something not meant for the task. Microfiber cloths can be bought in bulk and are great to have around to wipe down your gear and the car interior to give you photographs that are free from annoying dust. A headlamp is small, cheap, and very useful. Even though you might look a little ridiculous using it, it’s a handy accessory.

The small ladder is the largest of these items and is probably the most inconvenient to bring around. Still, it will give you opportunities for higher angles when there is nothing on site to use to get higher physically. Fortunately, all of these things are affordable, although the prices of beanbags vary greatly depending on what you are looking for.