Skip to content
Dealership Marketing

Car Dealers: Make Your Phone A Better Camera

Discover how to take better photos of your vehicle inventory with this simple, inexpensive lens kit.

Make your smartphone a better camera - man using camera to take photos of vehicle inventory

We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that you, or someone in your dealership, might be the owner of a smartphone. With the cameras in smartphones getting better with every new release that passes, we have some tips and tricks to help you take advantage of the speed of tech advancement and get the most from your mobile photography. 

The Quality Line is Forever-Blurring

With the latest camera tech, such as the iPhone XS and Samsung S10 (among infinite others), even professional photographers can struggle to tell the difference. Professional photographer, Peter McKinnon tested it out with another photographer and the results were impressive!

What does this mean for you? You probably have an impressive camera in your pocket already. Now that’s exciting. Your phone is:

- Already available to you

- Capable of quality

- Lightweight and easy to transport

- Adaptable to different conditions and equipment that are also available and easy to use
 

Moment Logo

 

 

Moment Lenses: Step Your Camera Skills Up Easily

One of the DPB’s favourite on-the-go smartphone tips is camera lenses for your phone’s eyes. 

Ever try that $10 lens kit from Wish? Yeah, it was cheap, plasticky, awful, and created images that were distorted with weird vignetting and pixelation. The point is better quality, not just “different” photos. That’s where premium lenses come in handy.

With Moment lenses (the DPB is not affiliated with or sponsored by Moment), you can attach photographer-quality lenses directly to your phone. To put it simply, you use a specially-designed moment case, connect one of their various lenses (choose based on your goals), and shoot away. 

Yes, they’re more expensive than the cheaper alternatives, but they work. You attach the lenses to the case, and not with a potentially-damaging clip like the cheap ones. The lenses are adaptable to new phones, so if you upgrade to an applicable model of phone you can take your lenses with you.

Wide-Angle Lenses for Vehicle Photography

You’ll see, in the video below, that stunning photography (and even videography) can be expected when you use the right lenses. When it comes to taking phone photos of any trusty vehicle, the moment wide lens has been a lifesaver for us.

 

Position yourself the right distance from the vehicle: with a wide-angle lens, that can be as little as 5-6 feet.

Use angles to your advantage: for times when you’re tight on space (like a fully-packed lot), using angles and a with a wide angle lens can be a lifesaver.

There are other brands out there but do your research before you pull the trigger. Remember, you’re going for quality photos. Have you tested other mobile phone lenses? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments!

If you're looking for an all-in-one mobile solution, check out FlexDealer's LiftKit Inventory and contact us today. You'll get your inventory more places, faster, and at a price that won't break the bank.

Michael Cirillo      

Michael Cirillo      

Michael Cirillo is the CEO of FlexDealer.com, a leading provider of innovative inventory and marketing solutions for the retail auto industry. He is also the host of the top-rated Dealer Playbook podcast and an acclaimed author and speaker. With his passion for creative thinking and a growth mindset, Michael helps dealerships develop and achieve their digital goals.

Elements Image

Subscribe to our newsletter

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Semper neque enim rhoncus vestibulum at maecenas. Ut sociis dignissim.

Latest Articles

Michael Cirillo: Keynote Speaker At NIADA 2023

Michael Cirillo: Keynote Speaker At NIADA 2023

Set your calendars for Michael Cirillo's inspirational keynote address on June 22, 2023, plus meet the entire FlexDealer team at this year'...

5 Ways to Make Your Marketing Sticky: Expert Tips for Car Dealers

5 Ways to Make Your Marketing Sticky: Expert Tips for Car Dealers

These five expert tips will help improve your dealership marketing efforts and connect with more customers who are ready to support your br...

Don't Get Screwed By Data Thieves: All About Owning Your Own Data

Don't Get Screwed By Data Thieves: All About Owning Your Own Data

Your dealership, your data. Learn how to make sure you own it and why it’s vital that you do.