Land Rover
Context
This project was developed at a pivotal moment in my transition into automotive photography. While travelling in Sri Lanka, I was contacted by a senior production company owner requesting automotive work for consideration on an upcoming project. Shortly after, the client was confirmed as Land Rover. At the time, my automotive portfolio was intentionally small and highly selective, consisting primarily of personal work from the French Alps and Silverstone. Rather than decline the opportunity or submit work that did not fully represent my ambition, I chose to create a new body of work that matched the level and character of the brand.
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Gwilym Thomas
Strategy
Based on the Land Rover brief, I set out to produce a test shoot that reflected the Defender’s core values: capability, versatility, and presence across challenging terrain. While based on Sri Lanka’s east coast, I identified an opportunity to work with a Land Rover Defender 110 locally. Within hours, I secured access to the vehicle and designed a shoot that could be executed efficiently, with minimal preparation time and no support crew.
This approach allowed me to work under constraints similar to those faced on live commercial productions: limited access, tight timelines, and unpredictable conditions. With one hour dedicated to location scouting, I selected environments that offered strong narrative contrast: expansive coastal roads, open beaches, and dense jungle landscapes. These settings were chosen deliberately to reinforce the Defender’s adaptability and sense of exploration. The visual direction prioritised natural light, scale, and movement, allowing the vehicle to exist authentically within its environment rather than feeling staged or imposed.
This response demonstrates a strong understanding of the Land Rover brand and the Defender’s positioning. The imagery reflects capability, scale, and authenticity, with confident use of environment and natural conditions. The ability to deliver this level of work independently, under tight time and access constraints, shows clear commercial awareness and production readiness.
Execution
The shoot took place over two hours and was executed with a flexible, reactive approach. Wildlife, shifting light, and environmental movement became integral elements of the final imagery rather than obstacles to work around. Moments such as monkeys crossing the road and flocks of birds moving through frame added a sense of realism and energy that aligned naturally with the Defender’s character.
Outcome
The resulting images form a concise but intentional body of work that demonstrates not only technical capability, but creative judgement, adaptability, and initiative. More importantly, this project represents a decisive shift toward creating work that meets brand-level expectations without waiting for formal commission. It reinforced the importance of acting with confidence, designing opportunities, and delivering imagery that speaks directly to automotive brands and production partners.
