This week’s episode of The MuscleCar Place Podcast is out!

[audio:http://www.themusclecarplace.com/podpress_trac/web/3952/0/the_musclecar_place_podcast_episode101_09152011.mp3]

Having trouble with the audio player? Here are 3 more ways to Listen!

1. Click here to listen directly at TheMuscleCarPlace.com
2. Click here to listen in iTunes
3. Click here to stream it in Stitcher!

This week’s podcast show guest is professional automotive photographer Robert McGaffin. If you’ve ever picked up a copy of Popular HotRodding, Super Chevy, Camaro Performers Magazines, or Hot Rod Magazine you’ve likely already seen his work in spades. He also shoots a lot of cars for private clients, such as Rad Rides by Troy and the Roadster Shop.

He’s been a lifelong photographer and car nut, but his career did not start out in the automotive world at all, but instead in shooting photos of products for companies to use in their promotional material. He decided to take a chance and entered a car magazine photo shooting contest a few years back, and the next thing he knew he’d won and was starting to receive work! Today Robert travels the country shooting cars at Good Guys shows, magazine events, Pro Touring events, and everything in between.

I asked Robert how the digital photography and internet age has affected his business and he was honest to point out that it’s been a somewhat difficult thing to deal with. True professional photography techniques, such as setup, lighting, etc. were unchanged by the digital age, so the cost and time to shoot a digital photo was essentially the same from his perspective.

However, the ease of shooting digital photos and the very common practice of internet image theft have put his industry in new territory. Robert was quick to point out that while he loves what he’s doing, adapting to the current digital and internet climate well is the key to success in it. The “old” ways of business simply won’t work anymore!

Before we wrapped up our interview we did discuss Robert’s personal project car, a built up ’65 Olds Cutlass. It’s now a project car for Popular Hot Rodding magazine and has been featured multiple times for it’s suspension, brake, wheel, engine, and transmission upgrades. Robert’s goal with the car is simply to autocross it a bit and enjoy it a ton. At the very least we know that all of the photos of it will be perfect!

Thanks for the interview, Robert. See you at the track!