Automotive Fashion Photography with a Vintage VW Beetle
Combining high-fashion storytelling with the classic, cinematic lines of my VW Beetle, Bug Singh Bawa, in the heart of Mumbai.
Who wants a ride in my Bug? Morning drives are always fun in my trusty old VW Beetle. This reel captures the joy of cruising through the city in a classic car.
A close-up from our moody night shoot with my VW Beetle. The combination of the classic car, the model's strong pose, and the architectural background creates a cinematic feel.
A wide shot from the same series, placing the car and model against the iconic backdrop of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai library. This is automotive fashion at its most atmospheric.
I don't sweat, I sparkle. A powerful pose from our night shoot, where the car becomes a key part of the fashion story.
Another angle from the Asiatic Society shoot, playing with the lines of the car and the architecture to frame the model perfectly.
The final look from this set, capturing a confident and stylish moment where the model and the car share the spotlight.
Just heating up your timeline. An interior shot from inside the Beetle, using the ambient streetlights to create a warm, intimate, and glamorous mood.
Playing with reflections and light inside the car. These shots are about creating a narrative and a sense of being on a journey through the city at night.
A beautiful portrait taken through the car window, using the frame to add depth and a voyeuristic quality to the image.
Using lens flare and the car's interior to create a dreamy, cinematic effect. This is what I love about shooting on the move.
About Automotive Fashion
I don’t just park a car and shoot. We build a night sequence around the vintage curves of my Beetle, using Mumbai’s ambient street light to sculpt the shadows and mood. Whether you need a gritty urban vibe or a high-gloss editorial look, we tailor the lighting plan entirely to the specific story we are telling, ensuring the car feels like a character rather than just a prop.
The magic of automotive fashion lies in the contrast between the subject and the machine. When I bring 'Bug Singh Bawa' into a shoot, it serves as an extension of the narrative. We often schedule these sessions for the late hours because that is when the city’s streetlights and architectural backdrops—like the Asiatic Society or the quiet stretches of South Mumbai—create the perfect, cinematic stage.
I approach these projects with the same intensity as a brand campaign. We look at the lines of the vehicle, the textures of the model's wardrobe, and the light. It is a full-scale production. We use medium-format equipment and tethered shooting to monitor the light quality on the car’s curves and the subject’s skin tone in real-time. This ensures that every reflection, every glint of metal, and every shadow is intentional.
If you are planning a brand campaign or a personal fashion portfolio, we need to decide on the atmosphere first. Are we going for a voyeuristic, candid feel through the car window, or a bold, aggressive editorial stance on the streets? My team handles the technical heavy lifting, from the lighting grip to the set aesthetics, so you can focus on the performance. If you have a brand story that needs this kind of edge, let's discuss the technical requirements for a night shoot.
Vikram Bawa
I’m Vikram. When I’m not behind the lens for a magazine cover, I’m cruising Mumbai in my old Beetle, Bug Singh Bawa. It’s not just a car to me; it’s a character that brings a raw, cinematic edge to every fashion shoot we craft together.
Looking for something else?
Explore other fashion photography styles or creative projects in my portfolio.
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