The process of shooting photos of a car can be extremely time-consuming. Capturing every single angle, detail, backdrop and element can take a hell of a lot of effort, and frankly, most of the time the pictures stink anyway. However, sometimes everything lines up and you end up with some truly lovely pictures. That’s what we’re celebrating here.
We’re taking a look back at some of our favorite photos we’ve snapped over the past year. It’s stuff we can look back on and actually be proud of, which I promise doesn’t happen all that often. If you like cars, there’s in a picture in here you’ll enjoy.
All of this is to say we’re super proud of the work we did on these photos, and we want to share them with you as 2024 comes to a close. So, how about you sit back, relax and check out some of the best pictures Jalopnik staffers took this year and read a little about why we liked them so much? 2025 is already looking up.
2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing In Georgia
Such a fun car, I got to wring its neck at Atlanta Motorsports Park, and I was just stoked on the pic. I loved the graffiti on the ground in front of the vista and the misty mountains; I felt like it could be in like a magazine or something lol
Photo By: Logan Carter
Polaris In The Dunes
I was up at dawn to ride the Polaris RZR Pro R out into the Glamis sand dunes. This photo was taken from the top of Oldsmobile hill as the “Full Send” flag on the machine in front of me unfurled. I felt like I was on the surface of another planet.
Photo By: Bradley Brownell
Mercedes-Benz C111 In Big Sur
My most special memory of 2024 was riding through Big Sur in the only working Wankel-powered Mercedes C111 prototype.
Photo By: Daniel Golson
A Top Down, Winter Trip To The Beach
One of the perks of living in Southern California is being able to take a convertible with the top down to the beach in January. That’s exactly what I did earlier this year when I took the Lexus LC convertible to Dana Point in South Orange County. A Beautiful area for a beautiful convertible.
Photo By: Lawrence Hodge
Life On The Fast Train
The world of motorsport is meant to be filled with glitz, glamor and high-octane racing. And while that’s mostly true of electric racing series Formula E, its decision to race in the center of busy cities does mean it has a grimy side.
Thankfully, the grimy side of Formula E still has its moments, like this stretch of track around the back of the London circuit where 200mph electric racers can go head-to-head with 60mph commuter trains.
Photo by: Owen Bellwood
McLaren 750S At A Waffle House
This right here is one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken, not just in 2024, but ever. There’s just something magical about a $420,000 supercar pulled up to an empty Waffle House in Dickson City, Pennsylvania in the middle of the night. Chills.
Photo By: Andy Kalmowitz
The Pits At Petit Le Man
Best photo: Sometimes you’re just standing in the pits at Petit Le Mans, and what you thought was just going to be a quick snap ends up being better than pretty much any other photo you took all year. Not that the bar is very high considering my photography skills.
Photo By: Collin Woodard
It Could Be Yours
My favorite photo isn’t of a press car, it’s my own bike — my beloved F800GS, which could become your beloved F800GS for a mere $7,100. I love the way the sun sets in this part of Red Hook, how it silhouettes motorcycles and causes lens flare out in front of them. I took similar shots last year, and I’ll take more next year, with even prettier bikes.
Photo By: Amber DaSilva
In The Paddock
Very few atmospheres compared to being inside a track’s paddock before a race. It’s like being inside a football team’s locker room before a big game. Here’s the car of soon-to-be champion Alex Palou at the Milwaukee Mile, the IndyCar season’s penultimate round. Palou’s car would break down moments later during the warm-up laps.
Photo By: Ryan Erik King