Streetcar Takeover 2025

Streetcar Takeover was one of the first events I approached with the clear intention of building my portfolio. I was nervous and uneasy, feeling completely out of my element. For the previous six years, my “element” had been a construction site, not a racetrack. Still, I showed up knowing that if I wanted to present real work, I first had to create it.

I went in with a simple goal: to capture images that proved to myself I could create something worth showcasing. The portfolio I had in mind needed to show promise—promise that I could create something unique, something that an iPhone or Android couldn’t replicate. That difference is where the real value lies for clients: intentional imagery, technical control, and moments captured with purpose rather than convenience. While I didn’t yet have formal credentials to point to, the feedback and encouragement I’d received made it clear this was the next step worth taking.

The Streetcar Takeover itself was an impressive event, featuring 16 classes of law-abiding, street-legal cars competing head-to-head within their respective classes. Photographing the event challenged me to shoot vehicles I wouldn’t normally seek out. Many of the cars were 1990 models and newer—a group that, while impressive within its scene, isn’t typically my personal favorite. I grew up loving vintage American muscle cars, and when I shoot purely for recreation, that’s what I naturally gravitate toward. Stepping outside of that comfort zone was part of what made this event so valuable for me.

The event took place on April 25 and 26, and over the course of those two days I captured hundreds of images with my Sony A7 IV. One of the most thrilling moments to photograph was the launch—capturing the split second the tree flashes green, the driver reacts, and the car explodes to life as raw power is unleashed.

Looking back, Streetcar Takeover was more than just an event to photograph—it was a personal turning point. It pushed me beyond familiarity and comfort, reinforcing that growth happens when you commit to the work before the credentials follow. The images from those two days became proof that I was capable of creating something meaningful, and they marked the moment I began treating my photography not just as a passion, but as a professional pursuit. A selection of those images can be found in the Portfolio tab of the website.