How Cars & Creation Fuel the Creative Consistency of Blake Ferguson Photography.

Blake Ferguson
Jun 1, 2024
7 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

When you're a creative strategist, but also have an urge and an itch to get out of the office once in a while, this has been something artists fight themselves on, always fine-tuning the balance between.

The message here today is not to overthink it, but solely find a balance that fits your groove. Catch behind-the-scenes car photography sessions with an iconic vehicle that shaped the creative history we look back on today. Pulling off a new set of photographs in celebration of Behn playing around to dial in his fitment on one-piece wheels. Through the crisp mid-fall air— it was imparrative to pop-out with my favourite streetwear.

Finding the Balance: Car Photography Consistency.

I will continue to stress in 2024, how to be a photographer— you must have other technical attributes. Those who know me personally or have been following along extensively understand that it has been a rewarding, uphill battle to find myself in the creative routines, then again.

We’ll just say— it comes to automotive photographers to understand the flow-state when it comes to popping out, post-producing, and the underlying tasks of social media management. When there are obstacles to overcome, it’s a similar feel to a video game, where the priority temporarily shifts.

While I aim to keep my updates, Insights and article-like writings unique yet consistent, I am sharing what keeps my gears turning, hoping that these angles can be taken into reflection as those reading, such as content creators, graphic designers, or other photographers, to maintain the freelancing drive. As for my early childhood years, I drove Adobe Creative Cloud applications all day, every day, predominantly Photoshop, but others question this tedious mindset, as I can withstand it.

It works between two aspects, alongside pouring ideas and the urgency to make it happen. There have been times when ideas have spawned, and with chaotic timing, lack of focus or overall burn-out, have left them delegated inadequately- where watching them fade off is upsetting, where I learned there to be no more opportunities for that.

As a photographer and one deep in the field of digital marketing, repurposing content has been my pride and joy. Knowing I could have had my works stationed online, articulating more impact than relying on social media, I wish I had started sooner, where continuing photography as a freelance pursuit intertwines with what I spoke about earlier. It comes down to understanding your workflows, controlling your CMS, and continuously finding ways to streamline without loss of quality.

The Two Foundational Outlets Behind Creative Consistency.

As an artist and innovator, it’s much about matching the opportunities with creating, where sometimes the pursuits carry away, and the creating at hand comes into question. However, those who’ve had the opportunity to follow along all of these years know that the more we grow professionally, the more bases there are to cover.

Considering the mindset, discipline and perspective behind all aspects juggled underlying brand positioning and creative strategy, it’s always about momentum. Between burn-out and task-swiching between these outlets has driven me to productive days— where mundane tasks come with ease, watching the bigger picture form from various vantage points.

The two gears that keep me jiving, inspired and objectified: Car photography and all things street. The sole involvement between these two media gives me a fundamental belonging and involvement that keeps me contributing to a grander cause. Photography and the arts are not always about the artist, knowing it is vital for others who rely on your creativity- the fuels spare hand in hand.

The humble matter is that when I come and go from Instagram, the hype when I return genuinely warms my heart. With an involvement empowering me the most as an artist and content creator in difficult times have been the self-expression permitted through these outlets.

Outlet 1: Community Engagement & Contributions of Automotive Photography.

After linking up with Strict Standards Clique Member Behn Ferguson, he came through with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage while capturing his modified 2000 Volkswagen Jetta MK4 VR6 during a private photo shoot we threw down in London, Ontario.

Strict Standards Streetwear Fuels the Creativity of Blake Ferguson Photography - London, Ontario

I always enjoy having candid memories aside from the commercial images themselves, and as I may not be a noteworthy model, it is to remind you that I am human, too. As an automotive lifestyle brand backed with Japanese inspirations- as past clientele and collaborators such as ElevateTM, ForeverBroke Japan, and Stance-Con take a breather- involvement with the Strict Standards Clique has kept me on track to what presents itself today.

Through triumphs and tribulations in 2022 and 2023— Behn and I have a tradition where we still managed to get out for our usual car photography photoshoots.

Behind the Scenes during Car Photography Sessions wearing Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black in London, Ontario, Canada. (1) — Car Photography Sessions in Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black - Behind the Scenes in London, Ontario (1)

Although images from these photo sessions are pending the final polishes in post-production, contributing to an audience of car enthusiasts and streetwear endeavours has recalibrated my creative motivations to get up and get out for car photography sessions.

Personal triumphs have solely been anchoring my creativity. Pushing forward, I have been recollecting on social media and determined to bring my content consistently. As said earlier, there will be plenty of upcoming automotive pleasantries with Behn and his MK4 Jetta throughout London, Ontario, while putting the cherry on top of car show coverages. Mixing it up in between— I have various noteworthy projects to bring you from behind the scenes at Strict Standards.

Outlet 2: Self-Expressionate Release Through Urban Exploration & Fine-Art Photography.

Those who have dove into my Artist Statement understand the mediums of my choice, but long story short, growing up less than an hour away from Toronto but a bit further out for regular access— I was young, with my Sony A300 camera, and heavily connected on Instagram. Seeing others capture the city and posting on social media- I always found jealousy as I had immense interest in a subject I only saw others capturing.

As peaceful and pleasant as it was growing up in Newmarket, Ontario- there was nothing to it other than capturing nature photography images through the long nature trail that bounded through the middle. As a striving hobbyist photographer, I travelled to the core of downtown Toronto on multiple occasions, covering views of Sankofa Square, Danforth and Spadina, the Toronto Zoo, Centre Island, and especially the Toronto Harbourfront. Nature and landscapes were at their peak in the city through endless urban explorations, street photography and admiration of city lifestyle.

Behind the Scenes during Car Photography Sessions wearing Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black in London, Ontario, Canada. (2) — Car Photography Sessions in Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black - Behind the Scenes in London, Ontario (2)

Newmarket locals know this as Tom Taylor Trail. When I moved to London, Ontario, to take on post-secondary studies for photography at Fanshawe College, it was my time to shine in a more populated city area connected to car culture. I will always love and pursue photography— thinking backward in history- visual arts arrived after this original passion. Ever since my first job, there was no such thing as saving money, to be completely honest. All of my part-time earnings went into the closet of clothing that I still have to this day.

Photography News & Graphic Design Insights.

Caffeine-fuelled Insights—feel the creative rush as Blake Ferguson delivers fluff-free perspectives, covering the ever-changing fields of photography, graphic design and the utilization of digital marketing. Helping brands and businesses shape expectations, and professional photographers deliver.

When I realized the amount spent on clothes, hats, and so forth, throughout maturing, I knew I had to tone this down and wear out what I had. Brands such as LRG, Crooks and Castles, Mitchell and Ness, and OBEY cleaned out my teenage savings. Connecting the two aspects of Streetwear and Car photography has been surreal with Strict Standards as a creative outlet to express myself, be surrounded by other talented automotive photographers, and solely create art without feeling constrained to requests. An ideal surrounding for a creative artist like myself.

Behind the Scenes during Car Photography Sessions wearing Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black in London, Ontario, Canada. (3) — Car Photography Sessions in Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black - Behind the Scenes in London, Ontario (3)

Being involved in the design process of apparel and clothing creation has always been an interest of mine, and it has been thrilling to experience via Strict Standards Streetwear while remaining on track to expand my creative portfolio, showcase statistics, and gain general experience as a social media manager, digital-marketer and content creator.

A Tribute to the Creative-Filled Support & Partner in Crime.

A big thank-you to the brother, Behn, who has been a life-long supporter through all things creative while providing countless opportunities to remain consistent through summers jammed-packed full of car photography sessions. Through the adventures of car culture across Canada and many years, as his demand to showcase his project car remains concurrent, he consistently reminds me that my fine art is grander than just myself.

The support we often overlook comes from the competitive love and encouragement of our siblings.

Between the Clique at Strict Standards and Behn himself, pressure arises when talking about cranking out post-production and turning over photographs. Indeed, the pressure can remain overwhelming— but at the end of the day, without these two bases that keep me cooking, content would never end up in the eyes of the public.

Behind the Scenes during Car Photography Sessions wearing Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black in London, Ontario, Canada. (4) — Car Photography Sessions in Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie Black - Behind the Scenes in London, Ontario (4)

It has taught me that my graphic designs, photographs, and digital media play a role more scaled than just myself— and those who count on me consistently. I cannot fall off track and pause the workflow: only continue forward.

Complete your work, and move on. Do not let perfection overrule progress. There will be plenty more sessions, projects, and ideas to build upon and complete thoroughly in the future.

Thank you for reading more personally-spirited Insights as I set out to bring understanding to my visions and acts behind the scenes- I also hope to inspire at least someone. If you have noticed already, I am throwing up Strict Standards Eye-Popping Hoodie. Learn more about Strict Standards by browsing their website, or enjoy an in-depth case study highlighting the collaborative success in marketing and graphic design.