Hallcon's Fremont EV Operations Center moves commuters for many of the biggest names in tech, including Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta and Stanford. Their marketing team came in from Chicago and asked us to show a full day at the site: the rider experience, how the team takes care of the buses in the maintenance barn, and the big emphasis on safety behind every trip. This was my third shoot for Hallcon. I have photographed their Bay Area events that show off their capabilities and green technology, and their marketing team in Chicago chose me to shoot for their national website and marketing library.
Shooting a Live Operation
Hallcon cannot stop its operation for a photo shoot. Buses roll out on schedule, mechanics keep working and dispatch keeps the routes moving, so we had to catch everything as it happened. I got there early to catch all the people at their best and not miss anyone, which also left me free to help the drone photographer. We captured every requested shot, plus more, all in a half day shoot.
Planning the Timing
The trick was the timing. We photographed the people in the morning, then put the team on a coach to show the rider experience. We lined up with the fuel and maintenance schedule to catch fueling and the barn in action, and planned the drone flight for when every bus was parked in the yard. Then we photographed the buses heading out on their routes starting at 2 pm.
Managing the Drone Team
For the aerials, I reached out to a colleague in Silicon Valley, a videographer I have shot product photos for. I know his dedication to delivering quality work, so I asked him for a drone referral, and the company he recommended did a great job for this client. I supervised the pilot on the day to keep him on track with the shot list and the story, from the angled view over the yard to the whole fleet from straight above.
The Rider Experience
The day starts at the sign out front, the most important photo of the set. From there we followed riders as they boarded, settled into leather seats, opened their laptops and got a head start on the workday. We also photographed the clean interiors of the motorcoaches, shuttles and Sprinter vans, and the drivers at the wheel.
The Maintenance Barn and Safety
Behind every smooth ride is the maintenance barn. Motorcoaches go up on lifts, mechanics work in full safety gear, and drivers run safety checks at the coach door before heading out. We photographed diesel fueling, the on site fuel truck, the EV charging stations and the wash area that keeps the fleet looking new. Safety was the theme of the day, and it shows in every frame: vests, gloves, checks and clear procedures.
Operations, Fleet and Team
Dispatch and the operations control room keep the routes on time, with live maps on the wall and a team that stays on top of every bus. Out in the yard, the fleet made beautiful graphic compositions: rows of white coaches, black Sprinter vans full of reflections, and patterns from the air. I especially loved catching the people working hard alongside those strong shapes.
A Library for Every Channel
I managed every part of the day and delivered over 1,000 photos with hundreds of selects. Hallcon's marketing team now has a library of riders, drivers, mechanics, dispatch and fleet images to use across its website, sales materials and social media, all in one consistent look.
And yes, I wore my own safety vest all day, right alongside the team.
Need photos of your team on location? Book a free call, or see more event and on location photography and an earlier Hallcon shoot, Buses Drive Green.
