This story brought to you by Sam Bourdais Paull

Within automotive photography, every shoot presents a distinctive mix of challenges and creative opportunities. Our recent session at Dutton One Mulgrave, centred around the striking Porsche Boxster, was a vivid demonstration of this dynamic.

Chosen as the ‘Car of the Week’, this manual transmission Boxster not only provided a rare delight in our predominantly automatic encounters but also allowed us to showcase the breadth and depth of our capabilities at NSX Media.

This shoot was particularly memorable, as it perfectly captured the fusion of technical precision and creative exploration that defines our work.

A Rare Find: The Manual Porsche Boxster

Our day began at Dutton One Mulgrave, where we were tasked with photographing this particular car for the Dutton Website —the Porsche Boxster.

Notably, this car was highlighted as the ‘Car of the Week’ by Dutton One, the client behind this shoot. What made this assignment stand out was the Boxster’s manual transmission.

In an industry dominated by automatic vehicles, encountering a manual car like this Boxster was a refreshing change that heightened our anticipation and enthusiasm for the shoot.

A Familiar Setting with a New Perspective

Following the completion of the standard sales content, I ventured to a well-known location for our team—a nearby rooftop carpark. This spot is a favorite for its versatility and familiarity, allowing us to dive into creative exploration without the typical lead-up time.

However, despite the familiarity, every shoot presents its unique set of challenges and opportunities for creativity, and this one was no different.

Dutton One had a specific request for portrait-oriented shots, which initially seemed restrictive. However, by incorporating both landscape and portrait orientations, I found myself engaging with the environment and the subject in a dynamic way.

This approach not only fulfilled the client’s requirements but also sparked a deeper level of creative thought. As evidenced by the two below images, each orientation offered its strengths, but the landscape format particularly stood out with its superior composition, demonstrating the value of flexibility and perspective in capturing the details on this car.

Adapting Style: Bright and Clean Aesthetic

One of the most notable departures in this shoot was the shift from my typical photographic style.

Instead of adhering to the usual high-contrast and somewhat moody aesthetic, I opted for a lighter, brighter, and cleaner look. This decision was driven by a desire to experiment and push the boundaries of my standard workflow.

To achieve this, I adjusted my shooting technique to over-expose the shots slightly. This approach, grounded in a thorough understanding of my camera’s capabilities, allowed for greater flexibility during post-processing, where I could fine-tune the exposure and contrast to achieve the desired outcome.

Reflecting on the Shoot

This photoshoot with the Porsche Boxster at Dutton One Mulgrave was not just another day at the office. It was a reaffirmation of our commitment to meeting and exceeding client expectations, while also pushing our creative boundaries.

It reminded us that every assignment—no matter how seemingly straightforward—holds the potential for innovation and discovery.

As we shared these images with Dutton One, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, confirming that our efforts to go beyond the conventional approach were well-received.

This project was a testament to the fact that creativity thrives on challenge, and even familiar settings can become canvases for new ideas.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to expand our portfolio and refine our expertise, we remain excited about the future projects and the opportunities they will bring. Each vehicle, client, and location teaches us something new, allows us to unleash our creativity in new ways, and we are eager to bring these learnings to you through our work.

At NSX Media, we believe that a great photoshoot is more than just taking pictures — it’s about capturing the spirit of the subject and the essence of the moment. And with each click of the shutter, we strive to do just that.