Carl Bredl is a California-based photographer and lifelong car enthusiast whose journey from wrenches to shutter clicks captures the soul of American motorsport. A third-generation “car guy,” Carl’s passion for speed, mechanics, and storytelling comes alive in every image — blending art, adrenaline, and nostalgia into one frame.

From Grease to Gasoline Dreams

From calm to chaos — that’s Carl’s M/O. Born in the 60s, raised in the roar of the 70s and 80s, he’s lived and breathed the car culture that defined a generation. By 15, he was under the hood, swapping cams, tuning heads, and chasing every new idea he saw in Hot Rod Magazine.

Cruisin’ the El Camino along the San Francisco Peninsula or draggin’ at Fremont wasn’t just weekend fun — it was a way of life. That same energy carried into his early career selling high-performance parts at legendary Bay Area shops like Gotelli’s in South San Francisco and Performance Plus. If you were chasing horsepower, Carl probably sold you the part that made it happen.

A Photographer’s Eye, Born Abroad

Carl’s creative journey began even earlier — through the lens. His father, a skilled photographer, introduced him to the art of composition while traveling across Europe. From age eight, Carl learned to frame the world in lines, light, and contrast. The mix of ancient architecture and diverse cultures taught him to see beyond the surface — a skill that defines his work today.

Later, his career in construction took him across the U.S., where he honed his craft photographing landscapes, travel scenes, and food. What started as documentation evolved into storytelling — transforming everyday sights into timeless imagery.