Planning Is Only the Starting Point
Anyone who has photographed a car or covered a race weekend knows the gap between the plan and the day itself. For Jimmie Gomez, whose work is featured on Jimmie Gomez Photography, that gap is a regular part of the job rather than an exception.
Asked when a shoot has gone a different way once he was on site, Gomez said it happens often. "You can go into a shoot with an idea of what you want, but once you get there, things don't always work out that way."
For car shoots, the variables are often environmental. "Lighting and the location can make a big difference, so sometimes I have to change angles or try something completely different," he said.
Racing compresses that adjustment window. "With racing, you really have to think on your feet. Things happen fast, and you don't always get a second chance at a shot," Gomez said. His approach is to stay flexible: "I've learned to just go with it and look for opportunities instead of trying to stick to one plan."
That mindset is a practical takeaway for anyone booking a shoot. A photographer who treats the plan as a starting point rather than a script is better equipped to handle the conditions that actually show up on the day.
What New Mexico Conditions Demand
Gomez pointed to the local environment as something clients and newer photographers may underestimate. "A lot of people don't realize how much the conditions can affect photography here in New Mexico," he said. "We have a lot of bright sunlight, wind, and dust, and sometimes what looks like a great spot isn't necessarily the best place to get the shot."
That observation matters for automotive photography, where reflections, paint, and body lines are sensitive to harsh light and airborne dust. A location that looks promising in passing may not hold up once the camera is out.
Race events add their own layer. "There's also a lot of moving around and trying to anticipate what's going to happen next," Gomez said. "You're constantly looking for the right angle and trying to be in the right place at the right time."
For readers planning to shoot at a track or event, the implication is straightforward: scouting and positioning matter as much as gear, and anticipating action is part of the craft. Resources on motorsport photography and event coverage can help set expectations, but Gomez's point is that the work is physical and reactive.
Choosing a Photographer: Look at the Work, Not the Numbers
Gomez was direct about how people sometimes pick a photographer. "I think people sometimes focus too much on price or how many followers someone has," he said. "I'd say take a look at their actual work and make sure you like their style."
He drew a distinction between two disciplines that are often lumped together. "Car photography and action photography are two different things," Gomez said. "Taking pictures of a parked car is one thing, but following a car through a corner or capturing a BMX rider in the air takes a different set of skills."
That distinction is worth keeping in mind for anyone hiring for a race weekend or a BMX event. A portfolio of static car shots does not automatically demonstrate the timing and positioning that action work requires.
Gomez also emphasized fit and communication. "I also think it's important to find someone who listens to what you want and is willing to try different things," he said. "At the end of the day, you want photos you're excited about and that you'll want to share or even print and hang on your wall."
Practical Takeaways
- Expect the plan to change. Gomez treats on-site adjustments as normal, especially when light, location, or fast-moving action intervene.
- Respect local conditions. Bright sun, wind, and dust in New Mexico can turn a good-looking location into a difficult one.
- Match the specialty to the job. Static car photography and action photography call for different skills.
- Evaluate the portfolio, not just the price tag or follower count, and choose someone who listens and experiments.
The full body of Gomez's work is available at jimmiegomezphotography.com.