About
Photographer/Director Scott Gilbert is hitting his stride, with extraordinary energy that has propelled him over the last ten years into large-scale, award-winning automotive still shoots,
and recently, commercials and promotional films. Increasingly sought out for his ability to
photograph people interacting with their cars, he fuses technically stunning automotive
photography with a natural, human element that keeps audiences engaged.
This fusion – along with portraiture and “people” without their cars – is the result of pushing
the boundaries and an innate talent that started
as a kid growing up near Boston.
Gilbert shot his first pictures at age seven and
by sixth grade had decided to become a professional photographer. Starting as a newspaper
stringer while still in high school, and later at RIT,
he was eventually drawn into freelance automotive work.
After traveling globally as an assistant for
seven years, and moving to Los Angeles from the east coast, he officially took on his own assignments with a job for Jeep in 2004. Since then, he has
continually worked at bringing something
extra to imagery and striving to introduce a
visceral connection for the viewer.
His studio training, along with the extensive experience on location from New York to New Zealand, has provided the technical tools to shoot “big shiny objects.” But it’s the experience shooting editorial work since then that has given him his “voice” in combining a passion for photographing cars with narratives via people. In the process, his advertising work has developed an added layer of editorial energy.
Exhilarated by discovery and trying something new, his successful entry into motion in 2014 has
fueled a new passion. Even when the stakes are high, like a recent five-minute mini-movie he directed for BMW China with a crew of 60 Chinese and two translators across a half dozen locations in Chengdu, nothing rattles him. In fact, give him a challenge to overcome and it’s an environment he thrives in.
His strength for detailed prep plus an easy, relaxed manner on the set with talent, clients and crew, whether for a large commercial production or small still shoot, shows in his output. With a take-charge yet accommodating way of getting things done, his cool, unflappable confidence keeps clients returning, some for nearly a decade.
When he’s not shooting for pay, Gilbert is often behind a camera pro-bono at a homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles, photographing its board members and celebrity supporters. Even at home, his passion seems to have rubbed off on his five-year-old-son, who is already showing signs of becoming a mini-me.
Explorer. Dad. Husband. Three words he recently used to describe himself – but not nearly enough. This explorer is clearly on his way, with plenty more to come.
He now works with a variety of clients from Acura to Maserati.