SEMA 2018
Vegas is a place that tends to evoke strong feelings - either you love it or you don’t. I can't say that I particularly enjoy Vegas, mainly because I have no real reason to be there except for attending SEMA. However, there's something exhilarating about being surrounded by hopped-up cars at the convention center, where every nook and cranny is filled with cars and booths.
Every other year, I make the trek to this massive show, SEMA, as it's one of those events that I attend purely out of passion. Despite the glitz and glamour of Vegas, it's the excitement of seeing the latest innovations, designs, and customizations in the automotive world that keeps drawing me back to this monstrosity of a show.
Approaching this year's SEMA show, I had a fresh perspective on how I wanted to cover it. Since I wasn't representing a client, I set out to capture as many cars as possible for those back home, providing them with a glimpse of what the regular public often doesn't get to see. Over the years of attending, I've developed a process for covering the entire show before the week is over, and part of that involves remembering where each car is located in the vast halls.
My friend from home kept calling me, asking about specific cars he saw in my posts, and I was always able to guide him to their locations. It's this insider's view and ability to share the hidden gems of SEMA that make the experience even more rewarding.
During the first few mornings of the show, I made sure to arrive at the convention center early to capture the cars without crowds around, and I stayed late into the evenings to experiment with light painting. Everything was going smoothly until the security shift changed, and a new supervisor came on duty. This guy was adamant and asked me to leave. However, I managed to get some decent shots before being escorted out. You can bet I'll be trying this strategy again next year. Sometimes as a photographer, you have to be a bit flexible and push boundaries to get the best shot.
During my time in Vegas, I was fortunate to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, formerly known as the Mandarin Hotel. It was a stunning experience, made even better by the fact that it didn't have a casino attached. When I entered my room, I was truly impressed by the features – the bathroom glass that seamlessly extended into the bedroom, and a bathtub that was elegantly raised out of the floor.
As a tech enthusiast, I found it hard to put down the TV remote, as it controlled various lighting settings for the room and the window shades. It was an amazing privilege to have such a high-tech and luxurious experience for a night!
At SEMA, the halls are filled with automotive celebrities who are eager to talk about our shared passion for automobiles. One standout was Ford Performance, with a spectacular setup at the show's demonstration area featuring Vaughn Gitten Jr. He launched an RTR Ford F-150 off a jump, landing it perfectly into a full drift! They even offered drift rides in a couple of other Ford vehicles.
Hot Wheels also had a significant presence, showcasing the finalists from its 'Legends Tour'. Luis Rodriguez and his "2JETZ" took home 1st place, earning the honor of having his project made into a die-cast Hot Wheels car to be sold in stores. What an incredible recognition of his work!
I could go on and on about my time at SEMA, but I'll keep it brief and instead offer you a wealth of photographs to enjoy. Take a look at this stunning imagery!
