A still photograph gives the viewer time to look, so the car in it has to be right. CarSeen provides photoshoot car hire in London for fashion, editorial, lookbook, e-commerce, automotive-lifestyle and brand shoots. We source cars from private owners, collectors and specialists, cast them to your moodboard, and handle the logistics of getting them to your studio or location.
There are 2,500+ cars in our catalogue, from pre-war classics to current models.
Cars for fashion, editorial and brand shoots
Photographers and stylists come to us for:
- Classic cars. Classic cars for heritage and vintage-styled shoots, such as a 1968 Jaguar E-Type or a 1960s saloon for a retro lookbook.
- Luxury. Luxury and executive cars, Rolls-Royce and Bentley for high-end fashion and jewellery campaigns.
- Convertibles and sports cars. Convertibles and sports cars for summer campaigns and travel stories.
- Characterful small cars. From the Mini and Citroën to microcars like the Peel P50, for playful, colourful shoots.
- Modern cars. Contemporary cars in clean, current colours for lifestyle, tech and e-commerce imagery.
- Vans and campers. Campervans and vans for festival, outdoor and road-trip stories.
Catalogue images are representative of each model. Your shortlist shows the real cars available for your date.
Classic, vintage and luxury cars for photoshoots
Most photoshoot briefs fall into a few looks. Classic and vintage cars, such as a 1960s Mercedes Pagoda, an open British sports car or a chrome-laden American convertible, bring colour and nostalgia to fashion and editorial work. Luxury cars, from Bentley and Rolls-Royce to modern Range Rovers, suit lifestyle, jewellery and watch campaigns. Supercars and modern performance cars suit streetwear, music artwork and automotive-led brand content. Convertibles are a common choice because roof-down shots open the car up for posing and lighting. Tell us the look, the location and how the car will be used (static, pushed into position or driven), and we will shortlist picture cars to match. Browse convertibles, supercars and luxury cars.
Photoshoot car hire outside London
Not every shoot happens in the capital. Our owners and collectors are spread across the UK, so for a coastal road, a country house or a northern city street we look for cars near your location first. Tell us where you are shooting and we will tell you honestly what is realistic for your date, including transport where a car has to travel. Planning moving image as well? See music video car hire.
How it works
- 1. Send a brief. Share the moodboard, the date, the location or studio, and how the car will be used: as a backdrop, sat in, leaned on, or driven.
- 2. Get a shortlist. We suggest cars that suit the palette and the story, including colour options where we have them.
- 3. Confirm and quote. Each shoot is quoted on its own, based on the car, the hours, transport and any driver.
- 4. Delivery. We coordinate delivery and collection with the owner and your production team, and confirm call times in advance.
Studio vs street locations
Studio shoots. Check the studio's vehicle rules before booking. Many ask about access door sizes, fuel levels, battery isolation, drip trays and floor protection. Tell us the studio and its load-in details, and we'll pass them to the owner. Some cars arrive on a transporter to keep them clean and to make the timing precise.
For either setting, include the shot list, planned contact with the car and whether it moves. Confirm access, positioning space and call times before the booking.
Street locations in London. For small, hand-held crews, street photography in London can be fairly simple. Larger set-ups, parking suspensions and anything that blocks the pavement or road usually need the local Borough Film Service, and TfL red routes need TfL permission. Film London publishes guidance. Our London picture car guide also covers ULEZ, the Congestion Charge and parking.
Getting the best from a car on a shoot
- Colour. Tell us your palette. A car that clashes with the styling is hard to fix in post.
- Contact with the car. If models will sit on the bonnet, stand on the bumper or wear jewellery, studs or heels near the paintwork, say so in the brief. Owners want to know, and it affects which cars we suggest.
- Interiors. If you're shooting inside, ask for interior photos on the shortlist. Trim and dashboards vary a lot, even within one model.
- Number plates. Plates can be a styling point or a distraction. Tell us if you'd like period plates or plan to remove them in post.
- Time. Build in time for positioning. Moving a car a few feet takes longer than moving a light.
Planning a car into your shoot
A few details make a car shoot run smoothly. Share the shot list or mood board, because the angle decides whether the car's best side, interior or wheels matter most. Confirm access early: studios need door widths and floor loading, and locations need somewhere to park, turn and stage the car. Plan for reflections, since glossy paint and chrome pick up crew and lights. Agree in advance whether models can sit on or touch the car. And allow time for the car to arrive, be positioned and be cleaned between set-ups. We include practical notes on each car in your shortlist.
Photoshoot cars you can brief us on
Representative image1965 Mercedes-Benz 280
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Mercedes-Benz 280
Representative image1996 Bentley Azure
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Bentley Azure
Representative image2006 Ferrari F430
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Ferrari F430
Representative image1966 Cadillac DeVille
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Cadillac DeVille
Representative image1973 Porsche 911
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Porsche 911
Representative image1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Mercedes-Benz 500SL
Representative image1991 Nissan Figaro
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Nissan Figaro
Representative image2015 Aston Martin DB9
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Aston Martin DB9
Representative image2019 Lamborghini Huracan
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Lamborghini Huracan
Representative image1968 AC Cobra
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All AC Cobra
Shooting a music video and stills on the same day? Brief us on both and we'll cast one car for the day.
Credits
Our team have worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, Paramount, Apple TV, Meta, Google, Disney+ and Discovery. See credits.
Related
Supercar and luxury cars for photoshoots
Supercars — 64 catalogue vehicles. Tell us the palette and planned use; availability is confirmed with owners.
Luxury and executive cars — 220 catalogue vehicles. Tell us the palette and planned use; availability is confirmed with owners.
Representative imageAston Martin DB12 Volante
Representative example: we source this model from our network
All Aston Martin DB12 Volante
Classic cars for photoshoots
Classic cars — 1,686 catalogue vehicles. Match the era and shape to your moodboard; these examples link to individual cars.
Why CarSeen
- 2,500+ cars in the catalogue
- Based in Shoreditch, London, sourcing from owners across the UK
- Our team have worked with productions for film, TV and advertising — see our credits
- How we protect owners: owner-submitted listings use the owner's own photos with plates covered, and never show names, addresses or registrations
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a car for a photoshoot in London?
Every shoot is quoted on its own. The cost depends on the car, the hours, transport and whether a driver is needed. Send a brief and we'll confirm it on your quote.
Can you deliver a car to a photo studio?
Yes. We coordinate delivery with the owner. Please send the studio's address, load-in details and vehicle rules with your brief.
Can models sit on or touch the car?
Often, with the owner's agreement. Tell us exactly what's planned so we only suggest cars where the owner is comfortable with it.
Do I need permission to shoot with a car on a London street?
Small hand-held crews can often shoot on the street without formal permission. Bigger set-ups, parking and anything that causes an obstruction need the local Borough Film Service, or TfL on red routes.
Can a car be used in a studio?
Often, yes. Studios have their own vehicle rules on access doors, fuel levels, battery isolation and floor protection. Send the studio details with your brief and we will check them with the owner.
How long can we keep the car on a shoot day?
That is agreed with the owner for each booking. Tell us your call time, wrap time and any overrun risk in the brief, and the hours are confirmed on your quote.
Can I hire a classic or vintage car for a photoshoot?
Yes. Classic and vintage cars are a popular choice for fashion, editorial and brand shoots. Tell us the look, the location and the date and we will shortlist cars that fit, with notes on how each can be used.
Do you supply luxury cars and supercars for photoshoots?
Yes. Our catalogue includes luxury cars and supercars as well as classics. Availability, handling rules and any on-set requirements are confirmed with the owner when you send a brief.
Planning a shoot?