Aarie Vann was first drawn to automotive design as a kid when a yellow 1973 Volkswagen Beetle caught his eye. He saved up for his first camera, a Canon T3i, and began making short films and experimenting with photography. That early passion led him to earn a BFA in Film from Syracuse University’s School of Visual & Performing Arts, where he mastered Sony, Canon, and Hasselblad systems before launching a commercial video business serving clients nationwide.

In 2022, Aarie became the in-house photographer for Vantage Auto Collection, one of Bring a Trailer’s top sellers, and in 2024 he joined Bring a Trailer’s White Glove service team. Over the past three years, he’s shot more than 1,000 auctions and delivered nearly 500,000 images, many featured in Car and Driver, Jalopnik, Road & Track, and other leading outlets.

I’ve always loved cars. Be it for design, sound, or sensation. I believe they capture something very human in their character and how they represent their designers and owners. My work focuses on capturing the natural beauty of automotive design and creating an archive of vehicles as they actually are. My first car was a yellow 1973 Volkswagen Beetle that remains with me to this day, and served as one of my first photographic inspirations.