FIVE QUESTIONS WITH: JAYMS RAMIREZ

Five photographers in five cities with five Land Rover vehicles was the inspiration behind Land Rover North America’s innovative photography project to launch its official Tumblr site ‑ http://tumblr.landroverusa.com. In the second of a series of interviews with the featured photographers, we ask San Francisco native Jayms Ramirez about his photo shoot in the redwood forests of Santa Cruz with a new Range Rover Evoque.

1. So where did your adventure take you?

Because I love the mountains around Santa Cruz with their amazing redwood forests, we decided to head there from San Francisco. I wanted to capture the feel of a fun road trip with friends, and the whole day really turned out to be a blast.

2. How did the day go?

We started out shooting a lot of fun stuff with the Range Rover Evoque outside a cafe in San Francisco as a kind of pre‑road‑trip gathering of friends. We then headed off into the forest where we shot first the interior, then the exterior and finally from the roof of the Range Rover Evoque. We got some terrific images, especially the ones where we used the full‑size panoramic glass roof. I love the shot of the reflection of the redwoods towering skywards with the two girls standing at the side looking upwards. There were a lot of layers to that shot.

3. What was the most fun part of the trip?

I think it was having the freedom to take the shoot wherever I wanted it to go. I decided to keep the production values low to give a more organic, authentic look. So no long stops with lots of camera set‑ups and lighting. I just wanted to capture the moment and be fast and loose. It’s always the small moments that make up a great adventure.

4. Did you know much about the new Range Rover Evoque before the shoot?

Not much. My sister has always owned Land Rover vehicles, and I’ve used a couple of Defender vehicles in Central America. This project was completely different, and what surprised me the most was just how much fun it was to drive the Range Rover Evoque. I also really loved that glass roof and the way we could use it as a big mirror or a big window to the sky.

5. What’s your background?

Before pursuing professional photography, I spent a decade leading overland trips through Mexico, Central and South America, and Alaska capturing documentary and lifestyle images. I’ve spent time in Tulum, Mexico brewing coffee in my own cafe, and living on a gorgeous beach immersed in the idyllic life. That was until, once again, I felt the pull of travel.

You can see more of Jayms’ images by going to http://tumblr.landroverusa.com/drivers/3‑Jayms‑Ramirez