Why Dealerships Can’t Afford to Ignore Photo Quality—and One Customer’s Quest to Prove It

by Jay Smithweck | Mar 24, 2025 | News

In the world of car sales, first impressions matter more than ever. Yet, some dealerships, like those telling you “our photos are good enough,” operate under the assumption that customers don’t notice or care about image quality. An email we received at 360Booth this morning shatters that myth—and it’s a story worth telling. It’s about Maxwell W, an engineer who wasn’t even shopping for a photo booth but cared enough about a dealership’s terrible car photos to track us down and offer help. His journey reveals just how much customers value great photography and why dealerships need to rethink their approach.

The Customer Who Went the Extra Mile

Maxwell W. isn’t your typical car buyer. An engineer at a local manufacturing company, he was browsing listings at %&#@$$& Honda when he encountered a 360° photo animation that was, in his own words, “so bad” it spurred him into action. The photos were poorly lit, badly framed, and the car appeared crooked—hardly the polished presentation you’d expect from a dealership. Rather than shrug it off, Maxwell’s curiosity kicked in. He researched car photography, identified that the dealership was using a 360Booth Studio (based on the flooring and setup), and reached out to us directly.

Here’s what he wrote:  

“Good morning Jay! I have to make a confession—I personally am not on the market for a booth. I’m just a nerd. I believe a local dealership to me (@#&&$#@%) has and uses one of your booths… the 360° photo animation was so bad I was driven to research car photography and see what they might be doing wrong.”

Maxwell didn’t stop at curiosity. He analyzed the problem—suspecting the camera moved inconsistently because someone was pacing around the car—and even suggested a fix: affixing the camera to the booth’s frame or walls for steadier shots. As an engineer, he offered to sketch concepts, eager to solve what he thought was a 360Booth issue. That’s the kind of initiative most dealerships dream of from customers—but Maxwell wasn’t buying a studio. He was looking for car to purchase just fed up with subpar photos.

The Real Problem: Management, Not the Booth

When I called Maxwell to discuss his email, we uncovered the truth: the issue wasn’t with the 360Booth itself. @$$&$#@ had the right tool, but their management didn’t prioritize photo quality. The poor lighting, crooked framing, and haphazard execution stemmed from a belief that “good enough” was acceptable. Maxwell’s detective work exposed a critical disconnect—dealerships underestimating how much customers notice and care about presentation.

Why This Matters: Customers Are Watching

Maxwell’s story is a wake-up call. Dealerships might think customers gloss over photo quality, but here’s an engineer who went from casually browsing to researching photography solutions in a single morning—all because the images were that bad. His effort shows that buyers aren’t just passively scrolling; they’re judging inventory based on what they see. Poor photos don’t just fail to impress—they actively deter potential sales.

In today’s online-first car market, photos are your digital lot. Listings with high-quality images get more clicks, hold attention longer, and convert faster. Maxwell’s reaction proves that substandard photos can frustrate customers enough to take action—or worse, walk away. Dealerships that settle for “good enough” risk losing buyers before they even get a chance to sell.

Quality Is an Investment, Not an Option

Maxwell’s email wasn’t just feedback—it was a gift. He handed dealerships a real-world example of why photo quality matters and how tools like the 360Booth, when used right, can make a difference. The fix isn’t complicated: train staff, standardize processes, and treat photography as a priority. Maxwell even offered a practical idea—stabilizing the camera—to improve consistency. It’s a small tweak with big potential, but it starts with leadership valuing the end result.

At 360Booth, we see this as a challenge to help dealerships bridge the gap. Great tools need great execution, and customers like Maxwell deserve to see inventory at its best. His nerdy passion for problem-solving is a reminder: people notice the details. Dealerships that listen—and act—will turn browsers into buyers.

The Global Reach of 360Booth 

by Jay Smithweck | Mar 12, 2025 | News

The global reach of 360Booth is truly remarkable and a testament to its profound impact on the automotive photography industry globally.

Twelve years ago, when the company began, few could have predicted the extent of its international success. Today, 360Booth stands as the number one photo studio in the world, with over 1,500 studios spread across six countries. This expansive footprint highlights not only the widespread demand for high-quality vehicle photography but also 360Booth’s exceptional ability to meet and exceed expectations in diverse markets.

Impressive Growth and Recent Expansion:

In just the past six months, 360Booth has continued to solidify its global presence with significant overseas sales. For instance, in South Africa, the company added three more studios for a large client, bringing the total to 36 studios. In New Zealand, two additional studios were sold to the country’s largest retailer, increasing the total to 27. Further expansions include two studios for the world’s largest auction, spanning Australia and New Zealand, and a brand-new installation for a Toyota store in Perth, Australia. These achievements underscore 360Booth’s ongoing growth and its appeal to major players across continents. Clearly the world’s most sold vehicle photo studio.

Adaptability and Innovation as Key Drivers:

What makes 360Booth’s global success particularly noteworthy is its adaptability to different market needs. Operating successfully in countries like South Africa, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Guam and Australia requires a deep understanding of regional dynamics, and 360Booth has proven its ability to tailor its offerings accordingly as the simplest and most reliable studio on the globe. This adaptability is paired with groundbreaking innovation, including the first patented car dealer photo studio and the cutting-edge SHOOT it AI smart camera. These advancements have set new industry standards for efficiency, quality, and consistency, making 360Booth a standout choice for automotive dealerships worldwide.

A Commitment to Excellence: 

360Booth’s position as the world’s leading photo studio is not just about numbers—it’s about the value it delivers. By streamlining photography processes and providing high-resolution outputs, the company ensures that its clients receive reliable, top-tier solutions that enhance their operations. This commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned 360Booth the trust of prominent clients, from large retailers to global auction houses, further cementing its reputation as an industry leader.

Shaping the Future Globally:

The global reach of 360Booth reflects more than just expansion—it demonstrates the company’s role in shaping the future of automotive photography on an international scale. Its continued partnerships with top-tier clients and its ability to innovate and adapt position it as a trailblazer in the industry. 

Our 360Booth’s journey from a startup 12 years ago to a global powerhouse today is a remarkable achievement. Its influence and leadership are clear, making it the preferred and trusted provider for dealerships around the world.

Dealership Photos versus Crackhead Arrest Photos

by Jay Smithweck | Mar 6, 2025 | News

The “crackhead just arrested” image evokes someone caught in a messy, degraded state—unwashed, disoriented, and unreliable, mirroring the state of dealership inventory photos shot outdoors with shadows, sun glare, rain, wet cars, snow, trash cans, and snow piles in the background and oh my goodness those fake backgrounds. These distractions scream neglect and erode buyer trust. The “after” transformation—clean, composed, and confident—parallels the pristine, controlled output of a 360Booth with SHOOT it ai.

1. From Chaos to Control:

The “Before” State Crackhead Just Arrested:

Picture a disheveled figure—dirty clothes, wild hair, hollowed eyes—captured mid-struggle, exuding desperation and instability. 

Buyers see this in outdoor photos with:

Shadows and Glare: 

• Sun angles cast harsh shadows or wash out details, making cars look uneven or damaged—unreliable, like a crackhead’s unsteady gait.

Weather Issues: 

• Rain-slicked or snow-covered cars, with wet streaks or icy patches, suggest poor maintenance—akin to a neglected appearance.

Background Clutter: 

• Trash cans, snow piles, or random objects distract, mirroring the chaotic surroundings of an arrest scene, signaling a lack of care.

Impact: 

• 74% of car buyers start online (Cox Automotive, 2023), and 67% distrust edited or sloppy images. These photos lose clicks—349% lower engagement than pro shots in a 360Booth Studios.

2. The 360Booth Studio and SHOOT it ai camera Transformation: The “After” State. 

Clean and Composed: 

• Like a crackhead turned around, cleaned up, dressed sharply, and exuding dignity, the 360Booth studio and SHOOT it ai camera delivers a professional rebirth. 

Controlled Lighting: 

• Shoot It AI optimizes every angle, eliminating shadows and glare, ensuring cars shine like a polished gem, consistent quality across 1,500+ installs.

Weather-Proof Perfection: 

• The 360Booth Studio installed shields vehicles from rain, snow, or dust, presenting pristine surfaces—real reflections, no fake background edits, building trust.

• Distraction-Free Backgrounds: Patented design focuses solely on the car, stripping away trash or snow piles, creating a clean slate that screams professionalism.

Impact: 

• This “after” look boosts sales 20-30%, with 66% higher engagement and it’s the difference between a buyer scrolling past and one clicking to buy.

3. Psychological and Market Justification

Trust and Perception: 

The “crackhead before” photo repels unreliable and chaotic, much like outdoor shots that make dealers look amateur and chaotic. The “after” shot, via 360Booth, mirrors a rehabbed image, trustworthy and appealing, aligning with 90% of buyers who prioritize online first impressions (J.D. Power, 2025).

Industry Context: 

Our 28 years reveal a market still plagued by outdoor laziness 60-70% of dealers use subpar methods including fake backgrounds. 360Booth’s real-photo focus counters this, turning a “crackhead” inventory into a premium asset, outpacing the marketplace.

ROI Analogy:

Just as recovery yields productivity, our studio’s 50% faster shoots and no-training ease (SHOOT it ai) save time and money—$10K-$50K annually per dealer—while competitors’ setups lag.

Why 360Booth and Shoot It AI Are the Best

Before Fix: 

Outdoor photos are the “crackhead just arrested”—a mess that loses sales and brand value. 

After Triumph:

360Booth’s patented mobility and Shoot It AI’s automation craft the “after”—flawless, fast, and trust-building. No other solution matches this transformation, justifying your analogy with hard results: 20% sales lifts, 66% engagement, and a professional edge that dealers can’t ignore.

Conclusion

The “crackhead before and after” analogy holds, outdoor photos are a desperate, unpolished cry for help, while 360Booth with SHOOT it ai camera is the rehabbed success story. 

( LITERALLY )