What does it take to set up a shot? Consider the images in automotive brochures and promotional material. The cars look stunning, framed and lighted in such a way that even a ’93 Chevrolet Cavalier could seem appealing. Many of the shots seem striking. The darks are dark, like those in an 18th century romantic painting. The highlights pop, and the motion blurred background can make just about any car look like it’s a Grand Prix entry.

Mr. Staud says that for outdoor shots, his team sets up huge portable lighting banks and wets the road to make it look black and shiny. The motion blur that make a car look like it’s speeding around a curve at 100 miles per hour is a bit misleading, he said. Usually, his team attaches a camera to the car with a long arm, then puts the car in neutral and rolls it about 10 feet to create the effect.

Image The Magic Flash setup. Credit... Staud Studios

According to a new book about car photography that Mr. Staud recently published, the indoor shots are every bit as involved. Many of the photos his studio takes are a team effort, with members hoisting vehicles up into the air at odd angles so that lighting equipment can be better utilized.

All of that takes time to set up and informs the outcome of the shot. But how the photo turns out also depends on what the client wants, Mr. Staud said.