Prototypes in the pre-series testing phase are often disguised with panels to hide their appearance from public eyes. This allows the cars to be tested on public roads incognito. The manufacturers want to have control over when the first photos of their new models reach the press. »

After all, a lot of money is involved. On the one hand, photographers are paid a lot for good pictures. On the other, the auto industry fears that their current models will get stuck on the showroom floor as soon as photos of the new model begin to circulate.

It becomes particularly exciting for both sides whenever a new generation of models needs to be photographed and filmed for advertising campaigns. The cars have to be driven without a disguise then; at least long enough to be photographed or filmed. A certain group of photographers – paparazzi for cars, so to speak – try to take advantage of just this opportunity by finding out where and when it will take place and then lying in wait for the prototype to appear.

This type of situation is the basis for the film The Illusive. However, the job of a prototype photographer is not quite as similar to that of an action hero as the film makes it out to be. In reality, getting a usable photo often means the car paparazzi have to wait for hours or even days in extreme heat or extreme cold before a prototype crosses their field of vision. «