Ellen Dewar

Ellen Dewar is one of the most well-known and longest serving automotive photographers in Australia. She has worked across multiple leading automotive magazines and automotive brands. Dedicated to her job-  rain, hail or shine - there is nothing this pocket rocket won’t do to get the ‘shot’ - many of which end up on magazine covers we know and love. We enjoyed learning about what’s involved and how Ellen tackles the industry from behind the lens.

Explain your job to us?

I’m currently Head of Photography at 4x4 Media. I look after the photo services for the business, effectively acting as a producer, photography project manager, and photographer for all still images produced for media, including online and print editorial and commercial projects.

Each photoshoot involves discussing the narrative or purpose of the images, whether it’s a new car or old. Then it's a collaboration, with a journalist or creative team, to come up with concepts and ideas for locations and angles specific to that brief. We're coming up with new ideas day in and day out. On average, a single car shoot results in about 1,000-2,000 images, which I then must edit down to about 100 to deliver.

Why does this job get you out of bed in the morning? 

I’m passionate about capturing moments, collaborating with journalists and commercial clients to create narratives that inspire and captivate the viewer. The subjects I shoot, whether they be cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, motorbikes, portraits, products, or general automotive industry subjects, right down to design, manufacturing, or the finished product, all excite me. My passion started in the fine arts and developed into a love of photography. What I love most about our niche is that no two days are the same. 

What is the pathway to your job? 

I’ve been in the industry 27 years, so when I began, it was study, work experience, and then get out and do it!

I studied art and design, which gave me a great grounding for understanding the print editorial layout side of imagery, leaving breathing room for cover lines, text on layouts, etc.

Then, I completed a diploma in applied photography, which was very technical and hands-on. In those days, we used to shoot on transparency film. Understanding exposure and getting it right in camera was imperative. There was no Photoshop or reshoots for editorial deadlines.

What does a typical workday look like? Is there one?

Each day varies, which is part of the job I love. It’s a dynamic work field, and making decisions on the fly is a skill set that has developed over the years. Making something from nothing is part of the art. Sometimes you can plan ahead where, what, and how you will photograph something, and then the weather takes hold or unforeseen things like engine failure or location changes happen, and you must be the creative problem solver.

Pivotal moment in your career? Can be a positive moment or a challenge you experienced.

I have found becoming a manager and mentor both challenging and rewarding. It has been great to discover new talent and then mentor these photographers at the early stages of their journey. I have enjoyed being part of their growth, and watching them go on to be the professionals they are now – even working for themselves. 

Is work-life balance a lie?

I wouldn’t call it a lie. For me, it’s a choice. I love what I do. I’m so passionate about doing the best I can each day that it means getting up at dawn or staying out till after dark to get the shots I envision. Travel is part and parcel of capturing moving vehicles, so I became accustomed to missing social and family events. While it's often disappointing, the experiences I’ve had through my work have been nothing short of amazing, and I’m grateful for being able to experience seeing the country and the world and meeting people from all walks of life while creating great imagery. It is a sacrifice at times, but mostly it’s a life choice that has given me wonderful experiences and memories.

What are some of the assumptions people make about you and your work? 

When I say I’m a photographer, everyday folk will usually say, “Oh, do you shoot weddings?” I chuckle and say, “No, I shoot cars.” “Oh, for dealerships, they say?” “No, for editorial stories, advertising, billboards, you know, the ads you see…” “Oh, cool!”

The next question is, “Do you like cars?”

I think it’s a great misconception that women don’t understand or have an interest in cars. I grew up hanging out in my dad’s restoration garage and played with toy cars in the house when I was young. It was in my blood, and I have fond childhood memories of going to car shows, being at rallies, and attending swap meets.

Generally, most people don’t know what I do and the amount of time and effort involved in creating good action-based imagery. Many people just assume you park the car on a grass patch and shoot it. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The challenge is making something from nothing, working on your feet, trusting your instincts when you see something, and being decisive and stopping to get the shot as you may not see anything like that again down the road.

What do you want people to know about your job?

My job is different every day in who, what, and where I am, but it also has monotony in it. How many ways can you photograph a wheel, or an interior? There is the challenge: bringing creativity to the monotony ongoing is up to you. Take pride in doing your best, rain, hail, or shine. Stay curious and take an interest in the people you meet. Many people think you can just Photoshop movement and fix things after the fact, but it’s always best to take the time, where possible, to get it right in camera, as deadlines limit the amount of time you have to do post-production. Coming from shooting slide film, getting it right the first time, when you can, has always been my motto.

What is your advice to women interested in a career in the auto industry?

Don’t take no for an answer; keep knocking on doors. You can’t teach attitude and enthusiasm. In this industry, where it can be tough to know where you stand, self-belief and a positive can-do approach are important. It’s a dynamic, changing landscape, so embracing change or being a facilitator can bring challenges, but it’s rewarding.