Porsche Photographer Captures Performance on Film

Man Behind the Camera

Photography is somewhat of an underrated profession, at least in the automotive world. Automakers are quick to provide us with stunning shots of their latest models, but we rarely ever know who is behind those ever-important photos. So we found it appropriate that Porsche recently decided to shine a light on one of their very best photographers, Richard Pardon. One whose work you'll undoubtedly recognize.

Photos: Porsche

Losing Count

Like most photographers, Pardon's profession started out as nothing more than a hobby. Today, however, the 32-year-old Englishman is one of Porsche's most skilled people behind the lens, and he's also the official photographer for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. His work has landed on the covers of many car magazines over the years, to the point where he's simply lost count.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

Grueling Schedule

As you might imagine, Pardon's profession takes him all over the globe in what has proven to be a grueling schedule. But it was his love of cars that fueled his interest in capturing them on film, so he doesn't really mind the grind. And when he is home, he gets to tool around in his own personal Porsche - a new Cayman GT4.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

Starting Out Young

"I’ve always loved cars and motorsport. I started out karting, competing in Formula TKM and Formula Rotax, and I won the 2001 championship in the former. It was how I loved spending my time as a teen. Then my granddad got me into cameras and I started taking pictures whenever I went to the track," Pardon said.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

Start of Something

Pardon began by simply posting his pictures in online forums, which soon attracted the attention of a few car magazines. "It was around that time that I was made redundant from my day job and my then-girlfriend – who was a professional photographer – encouraged me to start taking my hobby more seriously. I plowed my redundancy money into setting myself up and I began building up a portfolio as a portrait photographer," Pardon said.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

Almost by Luck

From there, Pardon's career took off almost by luck. And who he bumped into. "I was taking some photos of a guy I knew of who built cars (the now TV presenter Ant Anstead), and he introduced me to a guy with a huge car collection, who paid me to photograph it for him. I didn’t really know what I was doing – shooting in what was effectively a studio was completely new to me and I was winging it – but I went with what felt right and it just sort of worked. When he asked me to drive one of his cars (a Jensen Interceptor) to a CAR magazine shoot one day, I agreed, and while I was there I got my camera out to pass the time. When the journalist from CAR came over to look at what I’d taken, he offered me some work, and the next thing I knew I was on the books."

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

Whirlwind Tour

Pardon went on to work for the likes of Top Gear, EVO, and Road and Track, and then straight to various car manufacturers. Since then, Pardon has photographed some of Porsche’s biggest news, cars, and events, capturing world premiere images of the Cayenne Coupe and Taycan and covering the first drives of the 911 GT2 RS and the 718 Spyder. For Pardon, it's been quite the dream gig, one that allows him to combine his love of cars with his love of photography. And it doesn't hurt that he's also now working for his favorite brand, either.

Photos: Porsche

>>Join the conversation about Richard Pardon's photos right here in the Rennlist forum.

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