This project came to me through freelance work, but what stayed with me wasn’t the assignment — it was the people, the energy, and the unexpected beauty within an everyday space. Quick Quack Car Wash hosted a three-day grand opening celebration, inviting the community to experience free washes, meet the team, enjoy food, and participate in a lively, family-friendly event.

What impressed me most was how deeply the company values both its customers and its employees. On the final morning, the owner himself arrived before sunrise to personally greet guests and hand out free washes. His connection to the staff, the city partners, and the community set the tone for the entire event: genuine, human, and full of intention.

THE STORY

I didn’t walk into this expecting an emotional experience — it was a car wash grand opening, after all — but there was so much more happening beneath the surface. Children laughing with the mascot. Workers standing proudly as they opened their new site. A cartoonist sketching families. Small, bright moments of kindness and celebration layered throughout the day.

And then there was the magic inside the wash tunnel itself.

Quick Quack’s neon lights, reflections, and water patterns offered a cinematic palette I had never explored in this context. Instead of capturing basic documentation, I wanted to treat the environment like a set — a place where color, texture, and motion created art. Some of the shots from inside the wash became some of my favorites I’ve ever taken simply because they turned the ordinary into something extraordinary.

This project reminded me how important it is to slow down, observe, and honor the beauty in the simplest moments. A car wash might not seem like a meaningful setting to most people — but through the lens, there is story, light, character, and magic everywhere.

THE CRAFT

All images were captured on the Sony A1, shot entirely in RAW for maximum dynamic range and color flexibility. I primarily used the 28–70mm lens to maintain versatility in fast-changing environments — from tight indoor spaces to outdoor community interactions.

Key takeaways

• balancing extreme color shifts (neon blues, reds, and greens) with accurate skin tones

• navigating low-light interiors and bright exterior transitions

• capturing authentic human moments during rapid activity

• working in wet, reflective, dynamic spaces requiring technical adaptability

• creating cinematic compositions in a commercial environment

• exploring multiple color grading approaches (natural vs. stylized)

Their is so much magic that we are to be grateful for in the age of digital media we have more tools at our hands to be able capture and bring beautiful moments to life. This helped me appreciate what goes on in our day to day.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERY PROJECT

This wasn’t just another freelance job.

It became a lesson in perspective — in seeing the importance of every moment and humanity in a place most of us rush through without a second thought.Every project, big or small, contributes to my growth as a storyteller.

Every story teaches me something new about people and about the world.

And this one reminded me that creativity blooms everywhere when you show up with intention, curiosity, and heart.

Written by: Scarlett Islas

Photography by: Scarlett Islas