Dan and his Miata / Cape Town, South Africa

 

[automotive/portraits] We went for a drive with Dan the day before he handed over his beloved Miata to the new owner. It was a windy, moody night drive full of emotions and memories. Oh, the love for cars…

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Porsche GT4 e / shot for Porsche / Red Bull Ring / Spielberg, Austria

[editorial] Seeing and hearing the Porsche GT4 e accelerate for the first time, we knew this was huge. With 1088hp instantly available in a track car is truly next level. Shot for Porsche‘s Stories Magazine.

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Bush and Desert Car Hire / South Africa

Bush and Desert Car Hire

The Toyota Hilux 4×4 is the ultimate machine to take on the desert. Tried and tested. Shot for Bush and Desert Car Hire, a brand new company renting out 4×4 vehicles in southern Africa for adventures and safari. We took one of the well-kitted-out vehicles off-road on a road trip and had a super time.

DNA produces stills and video. Reels, short clips, and longer videos – let’s capture the essence of your product or event for your social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), your website, and other media.

Email us about the Videos you want to create.

Subaru Crosstrek / shot for Subaru Southern Africa / Cederberg, South Africa

Subaru Crosstrek

The all-new Subaru Crosstrek shot in the Cederberg. Concept, production, shoot, and edit by DNA photographers. Shot for Subaru Southern Africa.

A few weeks back we went on a cool mission. Subaru asked us to take photos and videos of the all-new Subaru Crosstrek, and only gravel, please! Heck yes! We took this capable car to the Cederberg to the beautiful Sewefontein Guest Farm and Retreat Guest Farm. The Subaru Crosstrek is the car for an active lifestyle.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class / shot for Mercedes-Benz / Andalusia, Spain

DNA photographers For MERCEDES-BENZ: THE G-CLASS

We’ve shot a lot of “Mercs”, but never the G-Class! So finally, a few months back we spent a week in Andalusia, the south of Spain. Starting from Malaga, we went on a 5-day road trip to shoot this orange rusty beast dream car. It was a super fun production with a great team. One thing though is for sure: challenging weather for four days, the rainiest shoot of our career. What an adventure!
#dnaphotographers #MercedesBenz #StrongerThanTime #GClass #LegendaryRides

Reel on the left: Unleash the spirit of exploration and head to the most challenging of destinations. The G-Class is prepared for what lies ahead, even in the dark. Reel as seen here

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MOVING IMAGES? Get in touch!

Getting off the beaten track. The G-Class in its element. 

Produced and shot for Mercedes-Benz. As seen here

If you cannot get enough, Mercedes-Benz even took a behind-the-scenes video of us. View here.
Also, if you’re a big G-Class fan, you must sign up (it’s free) and check out the G-Class Private Lounge that has loads of things on offer: an interview with us, playlists, wallpapers, filters etc.

Join us for a short drive into the stunning countryside.

Produced and shot for Mercedes-Benz. As seen on Mercedes-Benz’ Instagram. 

COME SHOOT WITH US!

Porsche GT3 RS 992.1 and Jörg Bergmeister / Red Bull Ring, Austria

[commercial] By winning some of the biggest races in the world like the 24h of Spa and 24h of Daytona in a 911 GT3 RSR, Jörg Bergmeister knows his way around a Porsche 911. He was also the chosen driver to achieve the GT3 RS 992.1 Nürburgring lap time (6:49.328). We had the opportunity to shoot him with this beast. What a day! Shot for Porsche.
*These images are protected by copyright.

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Tobie & his Fox-Body Mustang / Cederberg, South Africa

[automotive] A cowboy and his horses. ? ? ?
Tobie and his Fox-Body Mustang in the Cederberg (South Africa). Shot yesterday.

#V8 #mustang #foxbody #mustangfoxbody #youngtimer

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Mercedes-Benz eVito Panel Van / shot for Mercedes-Benz Vans / Berlin, Germany

[automotive] The new Mercedes-Benz eVito Electric Panel Van is 100% fully electric, it’s a game changer. We took the Mercedes-Benz eVito through Berlin shooting it in action with the big city being the backdrop. The eVito is made for entrepreneurs who are on the move. Our pictures are shot for the social media accounts etc. of Mercedes-Benz vans and associates.

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Audi 2022 campaign / shot for Audi South Africa / Johannesburg, South Africa

[commercial] We shot the Audi 2022 campaign for Audi South Africa. Fabulous locations in Johannesburg: seriously out-of-this-world safari and nature experiences and a fabulous crew made this one fun. The images are used all over the Audi South Africa website, their Audi freeway, maintenance and service plans as well as social media, etc.

Production: Artists & Legends
Agency: Ogilvy


Mercedes-Benz GLE400D / shot for Mercedes-Benz / South Africa

[commercial] Hello adventure! The good life for us means being on the road, travelling to remote places and breathing in nature’s absolute beauty. The quiet of the countryside and the vastness of landscapes just keeps us in awe of this experiment of life. ? We shredded quite a few kilometers for this shoot, and it was sooo worth it.

We were so lucky to shoot this GLE 400 d 4MATIC Coupé for Mercedes-Benz in one of our favourite places in the world, the Cederberg! Some of these shots were taken on the way there, on the West Coast. We also shot a bunch of reels on this trip, have a look at our favourite here and more here.


Subaru WRX / shot for Subaru Southern Africa / South Africa

[commercial] The all new Subaru WRX. Subaru’s got new babies in the country (South Africa) and we had the amazing opportunity to shoot one of Desmond’s favorite cars for Subaru Southern Africa. We took two WRX’s around the Western Cape for three days and it was fabulous.


Mercedes-Benz E300 cabriolet / shot for Mercedes-Benz / road trip Denmark

 

DNA rules for a good & meaningful road trip:

1. Take the long road.
2. Speed does not matter.
3. Stop and turn around for things/places etc. that look interesting.
4. Make time and talk to people.

… road tripping a few weeks back in Denmark for Mercedes-Benz in the new E 300 Cabriolet.
We produced stills (scroll down, please) and video and had a blast.

“See others as yourself. See families as your family. See towns as your town. See countries as your country. See worlds as your world.” ~ Laozi

E300 roadtrip in Denmark: From Above

 

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Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+ / shot for Mercedes-Benz / Stuttgart, Germany

[commercial] Serenity at the highest level. Fun shoot a few weeks back with the beast, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC+. Location: Stuttgart, Germany. Model: Terry. Shot for Mercedes-Benz / #MBCreator.


Porsche 356 B Super 90 Coupé / shot for Porsche Klassik / South Africa

[editorial] Driving a Porsche 356 in the Karoo (in South Africa) with one of my best friends Nic Grobler was a road trip of a lifetime. No plan, no map, just letting it happen. We ended up camping in a graveyard in freezing weather. Luckily we made a nice fire. While sitting there, we realized, the lady next to us (well, six feet under) is celebrating her 90’th birthday. So creepy and awesome! This story was produced for Porsche Klassik in Germany. If you’re based in the German world, the issue is out today! For our English friends, find Nic’s awesome story below. DNA – Desmond

Camping with the Super 90

As I finish checking the tire pressure before heading out of Cape Town, a ten-year-old boy with an old BMX takes over the pump. In the corner of my eye, a white flash coupled with a loud bang. I’m in the air, almost on top of the car — ears ringing. The boy glares at the giggles in the distance. Tears start running. Head in his hands, he sobs: “I just bought this tube!” — it seems like a big deal. Desmond, my friend, and road trip partner agrees that we need to help out. After fitting a new tire and tube, the local bicycle shop owner, asking about our trip, says with a smile, “that is not a camping car.” Crossing paths with the boy, confirms the tone for our journey — of synchronicity and U-turn style surprises.

“Nic, so what is our plan?” Desmond asks. When it comes to these types of trips, I usually prefer not having one, favouring only a direction, an idea — to give in to horizontal gravity in some way. Our ‘plan’: head into the semi-desert Karoo to wild camp somewhere, take the 356 for a service in a small town in between, and I’ll try to get a picture of a Koppie (a small hill), for a photographic project — the service, our only practical ‘destination’. I’ve also been curious about this 1963 Porsche’s ‘Super 90′ engine. Perhaps the mechanic, who happens to be a veteran engine builder, can tell us something about the ’90’.

I was ten years old, driving with my father, who has a very adventurous spirit, when he made a U-turn to buy this car. Growing up, I remember some trips, but I also remember it as an everyday runner. Thirty years later, and after a restoration project, our relationship has evolved. The 356 mostly waits ‘safely’ in a garage in Cape Town. Also, I don’t love driving in town — preferring a bicycle. But, every few months, it comes out for a trip, some over 1000km. I’ve taken it camping, and even had two bicycles on the roof!

Ascending into the Karoo on the N1 (national highway), our next mini-adventure appears. We pass a small roadside veld fire, probably caused by a cigarette. With the wind picking up, it could spell disaster. After a slightly dangerous U-turn, we stomp out the fire with our feet, a first for both of us. Later it occurs to me that I keep a fire extinguisher in the car — next time.

Desmond, a professional car photographer, mentions how he enjoys feeling connected to the elements in this 356 — “a bit like when I’m on my motorbike.” You feel closer to the road, and you can hear the wind — a visceral experience. I’ve also enjoyed trips in various cars, but engaging with the world from this one is different. It’s an object of beauty, in harmony with the environment. It is even different in a social interaction type of way. Whilst it may be in the category of ‘sports car’, it is not very aggressive — often enjoying waves and smiles. I sometimes think that if the 356 were an animal, it would probably be a dolphin — fast, but friendly.

The sun is now setting in the Karoo. Our wild camp idea, not working out yet. Passing through mostly sheep and game farms covering vast areas, we are kept on the road by fences and ‘private property’ signs — a tricky place to hide, especially if we make a fire. The weather is also making a turn for the worse. Passing a farmhouse, we realise that we might need to turn around at some point. The farmer’s son stops next to us with his pick-up truck further on, “you need to speak to the boss… my dad can be full of shit.” We turn back. Jan du Plessis, the farmer, isn’t very talkative. Desmond points up to the big sheltering trees near a kloof above the house. Jan says “yes, if you don’t mind the graveyard, you can sleep there.”

It’s freezing and windy. We take shelter between the 356 and the low graveyard wall. The fire, lamb, mushrooms, and sweet potato straight on the coals offers some comfort. Even though we dug a fire-hole and put some big rocks around it, embers are still flying off now and then with the severe wind. After securing more rocks around the fire, we make sure the last coals die out, then pitch our tents. With the sound of swirling pine trees and dreams of the deceased under the ground next to us, I struggle to sleep. The voice of Jan du Plessis wakes us up in the morning, with some flowers in his hands, standing next to one of the graves, “it was my mother’s birthday yesterday, she would have turned 90.”

Asking him about his life, he says, “this is a hard place to live, but I prefer it here, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” Jan invites us to visit again. “Come earlier. I’ll show you a better spot across this ridge — there are some wild horses there.”

Over the last few years, I’ve preferred servicing the car at Andreno Motors with Arno van Wyk. His engine-builder workshop is out in a small town, Villiersdorp. I refer to it as an ‘air-cooled shrine’, it’s been a family affair for over 60 years. Complete with floor-to-ceiling photographs of their old rally driving days and a unique collection of air-cooled cars, including a ‘prototype’ 1954 beetle with only 36000km on the clock, “the only one left in the world” — we’ll be in good company.

This time, although Arno only needs to replace the oil and filter and set the tappets and timing, you can appreciate his experience. All the years have given him a kind of poetic cadence. According to him, if you maintain an engine, it would keep going forever. Pointing to a display-wall of damaged engine parts, with the words ‘YOU BEND IT, WE MEND IT!’ he says everything that goes wrong is due to human error. Like failing to check the oil or overdoing it when driving — “it’s human, man-made trouble.”

In between servicing the car, having some tea with Arno and his wife, and plenty of rally stories, we walk through the workshop, past what feels like 100s of engines in progress. “We can adapt your Super 90 engine, from a 90 to 100.” Arno says, “the sleeve kits come from America — I’ve done two of them before.” He explains “you can’t see any difference from the outside, but you can feel it. Consider doing it once you have a problem. Otherwise, it is a waste of money.” I appreciate Arno’s practical approach.

It makes me sad to know that Arno’s son won’t take over from him — he can earn a lot more working in an office. I wonder, where will this 356 be serviced 20 years from now, will there be some poetic cadence there as well?

After another eventful camping night, and taking the picture I needed, we drive home, I’m processing the trip: I think about the uncomfortable moments, like not knowing where you’ll sleep as the sun is setting, and how being open to the new and unknown makes it all worthwhile. To be found, you have to get lost first. Those wild horses are waiting.


Subaru Forester 2021 / shot for Subaru Southern Africa / Cape Town, South Africa

[commercial] Subaru Southern Africa just launched the new Subaru Forester, it’s better and stronger than ever. The new 2.5-litre Subaru Forester is sporting a more powerful drivetrain and retaining the Forester’s all-around excellence and Subaru dependability. We got to shoot two models, the 2.5i Sport ES (white) and the 2.5i-S ES (bronze) and we loved the drive! Big thanks to everyone involved, especially our models and Thule.