When people find a vehicle make or model that they like, they typically want to learn as much as possible about it. In practice, that often means seeing as much of it as possible. While written descriptions of exterior design details and interior features can be interesting, viewing them can truly make them come alive. Similarly, reading about the number of cylinders in the engine, horsepower, and transmission type doesn’t compare to seeing a large engine block fill up a large engine compartment completely.
The visual translates spec sheets and written reviews into something a car buyer—or enthusiast—can experience on a visceral level. As such, creating a compelling gallery of car pictures helps car magazines, blogs, and online review sites engage readers in a more powerful way. Without this, auto publications miss important opportunities to capture their audience and risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
WHICH PICTURES DO YOU NEED?
The readers that are looking through car magazines or reading online car review sites are diverse. There are upmarket buyers who are looking for luxury and comfort. Contractors who use their vehicles for work typically prioritize reliability, cargo capacity, and towing capability. Entry-level drivers tend to seek a balance of price, comfort, and capability. Regardless of a reader’s specific points of interest, a well-designed car pictures gallery can give them a comprehensive look at the vehicles they are considering.
The key to making a successful car pictures gallery is to show readers all the aspects of the car they want to see. While different vehicles may have different features and car shoppers have different priorities, a gallery should generally include:
Each of these image types has its strengths. Interior panoramas and exteriors spins can convey the overall proportions and general feel of a car’s aesthetic, layout, and size. Meanwhile, detailed stills of the interior that show off ergonomics and infotainment center controls, giving car shoppers a better understanding of how a vehicle may function in their everyday life. Enthusiasts, on the other hand, are often more interested in a detailed look at the engine compartment, the exhaust, and the tires to evaluate a car can do if it’s left stock and consider the possibilities of modification. And, of course, everyone can appreciate a beautiful hero shot. Taken together, these images can give readers in-depth understanding of a vehicle, even before they encounter it in person.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT
The advantages of comprehensive car picture galleries are clear, particularly at a time when the majority of car research happens online and car shoppers increasingly rely on digital publications to guide their purchasing decisions. However, many of these publications fail to provide readers with high-quality image galleries.
Often, car review sites include only a three-quarter or profile view of a vehicle. Online car magazines frequently focus solely on hero shots. In fact, the majority of automotive publications exclude many of the most sought-after images, such as detailed stills and interactive assets. While this is a clear disadvantage for readers, it also means that these publications are missing out on opportunities to retain readership, increase traffic, and establish themselves as authoritative resources.
CREATING A POWERFUL CAR PICTURES GALLERY
Few automotive publications have dedicated photography services to capture the complete and consistent array of images necessary to produce a high-quality car pictures gallery. Car magazines may work with photographers to create a small selection of images, typically focusing on dramatic images of vehicles against breathtaking backdrops. But more commonly, automotive publications are limited to the photographs provided by the automaker, which may be a sparse, stills-only collection that lacks the depth, quality, and diversity of assets necessary for a truly effective car pictures gallery.
Online car publications can better serve their readers by partnering with an automotive stock library. A stock library that specializes in automotive photography can provide first-to-market access to photos of virtually every vehicle sold in North America, allowing publications to cater to the varied interests of their readership. The depth and breadth of coverage give car magazines, blogs, and review sites the ability to offer extensive car picture galleries that connect with readers and enhance the usefulness of written content. The best stock libraries also provide video and XR assets that foster even deeper engagement and position a publication as a source of cutting-edge online experiences.
With the right stock library, automotive publications can harness the potential of the digital marketplace and leave a lasting impression on readers.
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