2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Today enjoy this N500 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, photographed in the Fall for sale listing.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV built for serious off-road capability while maintaining everyday usability. Powered by a proven 4.0-liter V6 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel drive, it features upgraded TRD-tuned FOX shocks, a locking rear differential, skid plates, and all-terrain tires designed to handle challenging terrain. Its exterior stands out with a bold heritage-inspired grille, raised suspension, and unique TRD Pro accents, while the interior offers a straightforward, durable layout with modern essentials like an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, and advanced safety features through Toyota’s Safety Sense suite. Known for its reliability and long-standing reputation, the 4Runner TRD Pro continues to appeal to buyers seeking a no-nonsense SUV with genuine off-road credentials.

When photographing vehicles for auction or sale, I capture a comprehensive photoset from all angles and capturing many more angles and details of the vehicle than highlighted here, to comply with many auctionhouses’ requirements.

J. David Buerk - Photography is not the vehicle’s seller - do not contact for vehicle purchase inquiries.

2008 Hummer H2

Winter isn’t generally the most friendly time of year to photograph your vehicle, but snow makes things pretty as long as you can keep it off your paint!

This excellent condition Hummer in the final year of the H2’s production run is going up for sale soon, and I captured an exhaustive set of photos for its sale on auction platforms like Bring A Trailer.  It’s been a very long time since I was last in a Hummer, and capturing this example reminded me of why people love them so much - very comfy in any seat, and spacious with room for all your stuff to spare.

Do not contact J. David Buerk - Photography for vehicle sale inquiries.

1988.5 Ferrari 328 GTS

This Fall, just as the leaves were beginning to peak, I captured a set of glamour shots of this pristine Ferrari 328 GTS that was headed off to auction.

With only 14,000 miles, this Spider with its 3.2L V8 and 5 speed manual producing a peppy (for its vintage) 266HP sounded like a healthy pony ready for a weekend cruise after its top-to-bottom restoration.  This model comes complete with a built-in radar detector and the complete Ferrari roadside toolkit.  In forever Ferrari classic Rosso Corsa Red, this near-mint 328 will be the highlight of any Italian car lover’s garage.

Do not contact J. David Buerk - Photography for vehicle sale inquiries.

2024 DC Auto Show

It’s been tradition amongst my friends ever since college to visit the DC Auto Show every year - the only years I’ve not attended were the year it was cancelled due to COVID, and the one year I happened to be buying a car the same day of the show.

This year was no different; we made a day of it and explored the show as usual.  This year I did something a bit different, and took some video clips in addition to my usual photographs of whatever caught my eye - I treated this as an exercise to sharpen my skills with a new video editing suite, and perfect my HDR and high framerate workflows.

After the auto show, we all met up with some friends at our favorite cozy spot in the district.

BMW XM Launch Cocktail Party

If you’re a regular follower, you know I frequently attend various car events.  Some of my favorites are those sponsored by automakers showcasing their latest performance and technology offerings, which often has a driving or interactive component.  I have to say, of all the manufacturer events I’ve been to thus far, this cocktail party absolutely wowed me the most.

BMW definitely knows how to run events, I can confidently say from experience after last Summer’s BMW Ultimate Driving Experience featuring an autocross component of their i4 M50.  Likewise, BMW definitely knows how to throw a party.

This wasn’t my first time at the Long View Gallery; in 2015 I attended McLaren’s unveiling of their new 570S, so I expected something like that; I was pleasantly proven wrong before I even got inside the gallery.  The music could be heard from out front, and the mood lighting was a spectacle capturing the attention of passers by.  Inside, guests were welcomed and invited to enjoy signature cocktails at one of the multiple open bars, sample the numerous hors d'oeuvre, (including sushi and ceviche served on a BMW branded ice sculpture), and mingle around the cloaked BMW XM.

Also, any event with a cigar roller is going to automatically win points from me.  This is exactly the second time I have seen this; the first was a wedding I photographed over a decade ago.  This cigar roller had cigars for every taste and experience level, with mild, medium, strong, and amaretto; I’m admittedly not knowledgeable about cigars, but I know enough to know I enjoy the extremely occasional one with an Old Fashioned or glass of single malt.  I grabbed a few for myself for a special occasion, and a few for some friends; although there were matches and cutter available, nobody in attendance indulged at the event.

There’s a bit of a joke that I can’t go anywhere without being recognized, and while that’s not entirely true, chance would have it that I got spotted by a fellow commercial photographer also attending the party, and we enjoyed chatting off and on throughout the evening.

Soon it was time for the big reveal.  A brand VP and engineer gave an introduction of the vehicle, and discussed the XM’s vision and performance as the performance crossover was unveiled.  A notable design point of the XM is that it is the first M series SUV to have its own fame design, not sharing its platform with any other model in the BMW lineup; the XM’s platform is entirely BMW M.

Inside, the XM is all performance, with large flappy-paddles, and dedicated M Performance buttons on the wheel.  Passengers are pampered with ventilated leather, and treated to moodlighting and geometric design cues.  In the boot is a custom leather BMW XM travel bag, with dedicated strap and hook to ensure it stays put during spirited drives.

In the alley behind the Long View Gallery sat the original BMW M1, which served as inspiration for the XM.  The mid-engined coupe sports a more traditionally enjoyable 5 speed manual transmission, and propelled 277HP to the rear wheels; only 453 examples exist.

Inside, artist David Garibaldi began live-painting a BMW-inspired piece combining the DC skyline with the BMW XM’s headlight design.  The canvas was also live-silent-auctioned while he was painting.  The entire process took around 30min, but seemed much faster.  It was fascinating seeing his mixed tool process, switching between brushes, blades, and his fingers between strokes.  By the end of his painting, his glasses were smeared, his suit was speckled, and his hands were completely covered in various colors of paint.

Although the main events were finished, the party was still going, with many still lingering to enjoy drinks and get their chance to explore the XM.  With the playlist spinning, I’m surprised an impromptu dance floor never broke out.

On my way out I captured a few photos of the gallery front since I didn’t get any on my way in; besides, it looked better at night with the lights from the party still bumping inside.  BMW had fed us well, but I knew I’d be hungry again a little later after getting home, so I grabbed a go bag from nearby Ghostburger to enjoy as a midnight snack later in the evening.  It’s a spot I’d like to go back to when they’re not about to close - it definitely rounded out the theme of the evening, which was pretty colored lights.