How to Take Great Pictures of Your Semi-Truck
Big rigs are fascinating. When you see a larger-than-life, shiny, and decked out truck with light bars or a custom paint job they really catch your eye. They sparkle down the highway. So, if you’ve got a truck, you want to show it off. You need to take great photos of that rig! A great picture can make your already captivating truck look super amazing.
We thought we would tell the world some secrets to taking beautiful pictures of big trucks. Our Apex Senior Graphic Designer Michelle Harmon, who has certainly seen many pics of big trucks, has some great advice. Ready? Aim? Shoot!
Tips for Taking Great Truck Photos
What kind of equipment do you need to take stunning, high-quality pictures?
Technology has come a long way in the last 20 years, meaning you don’t need a fancy camera to get great pictures. Almost all smartphones have a great high-quality camera already. Just make sure to clean the lens of your camera on your phone first! Also, remember to rotate your phone to take a landscape photo, especially when you’re taking a picture of a truck. You don’t want the truck to cut off in your picture. While you are using your phone on the road, you can also stay productive with mobile factoring tools that let you manage invoices and payments from anywhere.
When scouting locations to take photos of your truck, what is the key thing to keep in mind?
Location plays a big role in a great truck photo. Look for a setting that is unique and eye catching. If you are hauling through the desert, mountains, or open highway, safely pull over and take advantage of the scenery. Natural backdrops like mountains, tree lined hills, and water tend to create strong, clean images, but industrial areas or job sites can work just as well. While you are planning your route, you can also find fuel stops and plan ahead with the Apex TCS Fuel Card to make the most of every trip.
Strong photos also highlight what makes your truck different. Focus on custom details, paint, chrome, or anything that adds personality. Even small touches can help your truck stand out and make the photo more memorable.
What do you do after you’ve found the perfect setting for a photo?
Make sure you take the photo during the day. Nighttime photos are usually too dark to use. Also, are there other objects in the photo? Are there people? Make it a practice not to use photos with people in them to protect their privacy or a company’s privacy policy. Ideally, you want a picture that’s in focus, with a great background and nothing else. That allows the focus to be on what’s most important, your rig!
How many pictures should you take?
Three to five photos are a good goal. Sometimes photos come out blurry, or the light hits your camera the wrong way. Also, try different angles. What looks good in person may not translate on camera. Taking a variety gives you options.
Great photos help you stand out, but keeping your truck moving and getting paid on time is what keeps your business growing. If you want a steady cash flow and fewer delays, learn how freight factoring for trucking companies can help you get paid faster and stay focused on the road ahead.
Should you get experimental with your shots or keep it straightforward?
It really depends. Make sure you get a wide shot of your truck with that great background behind it. View the example on the right.
No great background? That’s when it’s time to get experimental. Try a cool angle or a close-up of your truck. Does your truck have something unique like an emblem or an old classic grill? Take a close-up of it! Hauling a cool looking load (i.e. military vehicles, helicopters, hay bales, mechanical equipment)? Make sure to include it in the shot.
Apex Client Calendar Contest
We do it every year. It’s our colorful tribute to our great Apex clients. We are talking about the Apex Capital Client Calendar, which features a baker’s dozen of our factoring client’s chrome and steel beauties adorning 13 months.
This is more than just a calendar. It is a chance to get your truck in front of thousands, gain recognition across the Apex community, and show off the pride you put into your business every day. Whether it is a clean, classic look or a fully customized show truck, we are looking for photos that stand out.
2027 Client Calendar Contest Timeline:
- Photo submissions: May 7 – June 5
- Apexers Vote: June 8 – 11
- Public Votes: June 18 – July 13
- Announcement of Winners: July 23
What is the best way to decide on the photo to submit for our calendar contest?
We accept more than one photo, giving us two to three photos is ideal. The best photo to submit is one that is well-lit, clear and crisp and is eye-catching or unique. It is crucial that you are submitting a high quality, high-resolution photo. That means that if you took it on your phone, send it with the highest image quality possible. We have had to exclude beautiful photos from the calendar because they were too blurry to use. To decide on your best photo, ask other people’s opinions on which one is their favorite. That’s often a good gauge of whether it will do well during our voting phase.
If you have questions about getting paid faster or how factoring works, visit our freight factoring FAQ for trucking companies to get clear answers before you hit the road
Not an Apex client but want to be a calendar cover winner next year? We are ready to be your factoring company! Visit our website or simply call us at 855-369-2739.