Meet the Media Crew: the faces behind the camera

Thijs

Hey, I'm Thijs, 26, and I've been into cars since I was young. Nine years ago I spotted a Ferrari F12 after my supermarket job, posted photos on social media and connected with a group of enthusiastic car spotters nearby. That group of hobby photographers became a circle of friends bonded by cars and photography. We helped each other improve and went on trips — spotting in Eindhoven and Düsseldorf, a day trip by bus to London, a week spotting in Monaco. Photography was self-taught by doing it a lot, always alongside my ICT studies. I'm now a software engineer and luckily that combines well with photography. When FancyCarTours held its first tour in summer 2020 I messaged them on Facebook to ask if they already had a photographer. The rest is history — I'm 68 FancyCarTours tours further now and hoping for many more fancy adventures.

Jerome

Hi, I'm Jérôme, 24, and I've been a (car) photographer for 8 years now. Not full-time — mainly on the side. In daily life I work as a civil servant. The 'work' for FancyCarTours is a great break from everyday life. My passion for cars started when I was an 8-year-old kid visiting the Porsche centre with my dad. That's where my love for sports cars began. Later I picked up the camera. Every tour I aim to take even better photos.

Daan

Hi, I'm Daan, 25, and I've been a videographer at FancyCarTours for 2 years. Day to day I work at a large advertising agency in Eindhoven and as a freelance videographer/content creator under JustDaanMedia. I've been fascinated by cars and videography since I was young — a perfect combo for what I do now.

Remco

Dear car enthusiast, I'm Remco, 24, and besides these great tours I work full-time as a videographer in the marketing department of a car company. There I get to work with the nicest cars and create cool content. I've also run my own business for four years, taking on jobs like car videos, events and animations. That way I combine my passion for film and cars with all these amazing assignments.

What does your work at FancyCarTours look like?

Thijs: Photographing a tour is more than pressing a button. It starts with preparation: gear, routes, photo spots and aligning details with Erwin & Shirley. On the day I leave early for the first spot, watch the group formation and improvise if there's another great stop along the way. At lunch I also capture the atmosphere. Afterwards there's a social media preview by Monday, then I select and process the final set from more than 1,000 photos.

Remco: During the tour I'm mainly filming. The real work starts at home: editing, finding music, building a smooth cut and colour grading.

What makes a FancyCarTours assignment so much fun?

Thijs: Unlike regular spotting, on a tour you're guaranteed cool cars. I love the mix of regulars and newcomers. The best part is when owners love your work — sometimes even hanging it on their wall.

Jerome: Despite long days it doesn't feel like work. Beautiful places, sociable people, good food, luxury hotels and practising my hobby — photography.

Daan: The variety and combining my passion for film and cars. New places every time, and behind every corner the potential for a great shot.

Remco: Unique locations with the sickest cars, meeting people who share the same passion, and the positive reactions afterwards.

What is your favourite edition you've captured?

Thijs: The Croatia edition. Weather, nature, local restaurants, driving across the Pag peninsula, Plitvice Lakes, and rolling shots on a deserted airfield.

Jerome: Switzerland. A fantastic environment for photography with many scenic stops.

Daan: The French Alps edition. Great weather, beautiful cars, a spectacular hotel, and locations that looked amazing on film.

Remco: Every tour is fun, but Switzerland stands out for nature, elevation and excursions. Scotland and Normandy were also favourites for aftermovies where I could really tell a story.

What was the biggest challenge while filming/photographing?

Thijs: 'During the Tirol edition we were up on the mountain in Kühtai. That road is known for free-roaming cows — and we definitely saw them. They were curious and came at us in groups from all sides while the cars arrived. Super photos with cars among the cows, but challenging not to end up with a cow in your back.'

Jerome: 'Still photographing inside restaurants. It's often darker there — cosy atmosphere, but lighting remains a challenge.'

Daan: 'Filming in busy places. Focus has to stay on participants' cars and the location, so you often have to hunt for a clean shot without other traffic or tourists. Challenging, but great when it works.'

Remco: 'My biggest challenge — and one of the coolest — was editing the Scotland edition. I had to make an aftermovie for a cinema screening with all participants. Truly special!'

What is your favourite moment during a tour?

Thijs: 'Every tour has its own special moment, but every time I drive into Austria and see the first high mountains I smile. Being allowed to do these trips as work is amazing! Another favourite is the Postojna Cave in Slovenia — despite mass tourism it's the most beautiful cave I've ever seen. Photos in the dark were hard; you really have to see the stalactites with your own eyes.'

Jerome: 'One of my nicest moments was leaving rainy Netherlands with Daan and arriving in the French Alps with sunshine and 30 degrees. Beautiful cars were already waiting at the château. The tour started fantastically without a single photo taken yet.'

Daan: 'Driving the mountain passes on multi-day trips. As crew we have to drive ahead for photo/video spots, so we share parts of the same route. As a car lover those moments make working for FancyCarTours truly special.'

Remco: 'From building a snowman on the Stelvio Pass to enjoying the sun on the nicest terraces — so many great moments. But I enjoy the mountain passes most. It's always spectacular to see you roar past!'

Which destination is still on your wishlist?

Jerome: 'The Stelvio Pass — every car enthusiast knows it. This year I get to capture it on the Dolomites edition. I'd also love Sicily or a tour outside Europe.'

Daan: 'Filming for FancyCarTours in a real desert country someday (Morocco or the UAE for example). I've never been in a landscape like that and it would be a special place to capture a car trip.'

Thijs: 'I've heard great things about Andorra — cool roads and close to the Pyrenees. A winter edition with guided ice drifting also sounds fun. Bundle up and enjoy winter adventures.'

Remco: 'Spain and Portugal would be amazing, and a long road trip through Italy, Australia and Japan is still on my bucket list.'

What is your dream car?

Jerome: 'The hardest question. So many great cars — Pagani Huayra, Skyline R34, McLaren P1, Ferrari F40, Renault R5 Turbo, Aston Martin Valkyrie, Porsche 718 RSK — but number one remains the Porsche Carrera GT! An exclusive Porsche with a V10 originally from Formula 1, amazing interior, not yet full of modern gadgets.'

Daan: 'A Porsche Cayman GT4. Perfect balance of power, size and driving experience.'

Thijs: 'Always tough. Top end I'd love a Koenigsegg Agera RS, but I'd also settle for a Ferrari 488 Pista or the car where it began for me — the F12 Berlinetta with its beautiful lines, in red of course. In the shorter term a BMW M2 feels more achievable — hopefully one day on my driveway.'

Remco: 'Almost impossible to choose! But the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA (in green) and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS are high on my list. Absolutely stunning cars!'