Selfvation Spotlight: Jayden Thompson - The Roller King
- Angel Rogers
- Jan 3
- 8 min read
At Selfvation, we’re passionate about highlighting talent within the car community, and today, we’re proud to feature Jayden Thompson, widely known as “The Roller King.” Jayden’s work as a rolling photographer captures the essence of motion, speed, and the beauty of high-end vehicles, blending art with adrenaline.
The Journey to Becoming “The Roller King”
Jayden’s passion for cars and photography began at a young age. “As a child, I’d sit in my mother’s back seat, begging her to pull over so I could look at a nice car,” he reminisces. That love for cars evolved into a career in 2022 when a friend, Charles, encouraged him to take photography seriously and taught him the basics of camera work.
While he started with still shots, it was rolling photography that truly captivated him. “Once I took my first roller as an experiment, I fell in love with the idea of motion in stillness,” Jayden explains. The blurred lines, moving backgrounds, and the sense of speed give rolling shots an energy that still images can’t replicate.
The nickname “Roller King” began as a joke among friends, but it quickly became Jayden’s identity in the car community. “Once I added it to my bio, it stuck. Everyone knows me by that name now,” he says with pride.
The Thrill of the Craft
For Jayden, the most rewarding part of rolling photography is the adrenaline rush. “Hanging out of a moving vehicle at 70 mph, 6 inches off the ground, feeling the wind on your face—it’s exhilarating,” he says. Jayden even has a ritual during shoots: he touches the emblem of the car he’s photographing to feel a deeper connection to the machine.
Memorable Moments and Dream Projects
One of Jayden’s most unforgettable shoots was with a McLaren 765LT—the only one in the upstate at the time. “The owner let me ride in it and even do donuts at his warehouse. It felt like I’d made it to the top of my craft,” he shares.
When asked about his ultimate dream shoot, Jayden imagines capturing a Lexus LFA in Japan, surrounded by pink cherry blossom trees along a scenic road. “That’s the dream photograph I want to take,” he says.
Challenges of Rolling Photography
While the results are stunning, rolling photography isn’t easy. “Getting the car in focus is the biggest challenge,” Jayden explains. “It’s more than just pressing a button. You need to position the car correctly in the frame, maintain focus, and deal with road bumps or lighting changes—all while in motion.”
Jayden’s gear includes a wide-angle lens with a CPL filter and a wrist strap for safety. “Dropping your camera out of a moving car would ruin your day,” he laughs.
The Process Behind the Art
Jayden’s process is meticulous, from finding clients at car meets, social media, or even grocery store parking lots, to coordinating shoots and scouting the perfect locations. “Finding good spots in Greenville can be tough, but places like Atlanta and Charlotte are full of photogenic backdrops,” he notes.
He emphasizes building relationships with clients, treating them more like friends than customers. “The last step is editing, where I add subtle touches to make each photo my own. Seeing my clients’ reactions when they get the final images makes all the effort worth it.”
Why Selfvation?
Jayden sees his partnership with Selfvation as a perfect fit. “Selfvation’s community is full of wholesome people who love cars,” he says. “I’m a people person, and I know this collaboration will benefit both of us.”
Goals for the Future
Jayden’s ultimate goal is to secure contracts with automotive companies or magazines like Motor Trend and to photograph his dream car, the LaFerrari. His dedication to creating calculated, meaningful connections with clients sets him apart in an industry that can often feel impersonal.
Jayden Thompson, “The Roller King,” is a visionary in rolling photography. His journey, passion, and talent continue to make waves in the car community. With his eye for detail and love for the craft, Jayden is on the path to achieving greatness—and we’re proud to have him as part of the Selfvation family.
Follow Jayden’s work and stay tuned for his exciting collaborations with Selfvation!
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Full interview :
Here’s the full interview with Jayden Thompson:
1. What inspired you to get into rolling photography?
“I’ve always enjoyed still shots—don’t get me wrong. But once I took my first roller as an experiment, I fell in love with the idea of motion in stillness. The blurred lines lead your eye to the vehicle in ways a still photo cannot. The trees flowing in the background, other vehicles zooming by—all in a still frame—it impresses me what a camera can do.
I’ve always loved taking pictures of cars, though, even as a child sitting in my mother’s back seat, begging her to pull over to look at a nice car. Eventually, I started meeting the owners, becoming friends with them, and later down the road, being their photographer. It’s a whole different feeling.
A buddy of mine, Charles, taught me the basics of my camera and encouraged me to learn on my own. If it wasn’t for his push, I might have never made it this far.”
2. How did you get the nickname “The Roller King”?
“An old buddy of mine jokingly said I was the Roller King, and it stuck. Once I added it to my bio, everyone started calling me that. Now it’s how people in the car community know me.”
3. What’s the most rewarding part of rolling photography?
“The thrill of hanging out of a moving vehicle, being close and personal with the other car, is unmatched. The surrounding traffic, the car’s noise, seeing the suspension in action—it’s a whole different perspective. Feeling the chill of the wind on your face at 70 mph, hanging 6 inches above the ground, gives you a rush.
I also have a roller ritual. When I’m doing a front-shot roller, I guide the car up as close as possible and touch the emblem of the car I’m shooting. What can I say? I love the adrenaline.”
4. What has been your favorite car shoot so far?
“My favorite shoot was the McLaren 765LT. It was one of my dream cars, and I managed to network my way into meeting the owner. He even took me for a ride in it, did donuts at his warehouse, and let me shoot it for a private sale.
We went around corners at 120 mph—it was extreme, a genuine race car experience. That moment felt like I’d made it to the top of my craft.”
5. What is the biggest challenge of rolling photography?
“The biggest challenge is getting the car in focus. It’s more than just pressing a button. For rolling shots, you need a solid understanding of your camera. Positioning the car in frame, maintaining focus, and dealing with bumps or lighting changes—all while moving—takes practice.
I won’t go into too much detail here, but I have a tips-and-tricks series coming to Instagram soon.”
6. What equipment do you rely on?
“I need a wide-angle lens with a CPL filter, and one critical piece of equipment is a wrist strap. Losing your camera on the highway would ruin your day, and it’s not something I want to experience.”
7. Do you get to drive the cars you shoot?
“Yes, I always try to drive my client’s cars. It helps me understand their personality and characteristics. It’s a ritual for me to get behind the wheel and connect with the car before a shoot. While I don’t post about it on Instagram, it’s a personal part of my process.”
8. How do you plan your shots?
“I think about where the sun will be in the sky and rely on a photographic memory of cool roads I’ve seen or heard about. Location is key to creating a great image.”
9. What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
“Don’t quit. If you take a bad photo, take another one. Nothing is too hard to accomplish. Learn from others’ styles, but don’t copy—create your own.”
10. Can you walk us through your process?
“My process starts with finding the client—whether that’s through social media, networking at car meets, or even spotting a random nice car at a grocery store. Most of my clients reach out to me, though.
Then, I coordinate a time, date, and location. Greenville is tough for locations, but places like Atlanta and Charlotte have a cool spot every half mile. The actual shoot is about talking to the client and building a relationship—they’re more than just a client to me.
After the shoot comes editing, where I add subtle touches to make the photos my own. Seeing the client’s reaction to their images is what keeps me going.”
11. What’s your dream car to shoot?
“Hands down, the Porsche Carrera GT. It’s one of the most iconic cars on the planet, and I happened to shoot the only one in upstate South Carolina. It was extraordinary.”
12. Why do you think Selfvation is a great fit for your work?
“I feel like everyone loves cars, and most of social media is based on photography or videography. Selfvation’s community is wholesome, filled with people who share my love for cars. I know I’ll benefit from the collaboration—and so will Selfvation!”
13. What are your future goals?
“My goal is to secure a contract with an automotive company or magazine, like Motor Trend. I’d also love to photograph my ultimate dream car, the LaFerrari.”
14. What’s one thing you prioritize when working with clients?
“I focus on building friendships, not just client relationships. Most influencers and photographers don’t interact much with their audience, but I make it a priority to engage with and maintain a good reputation.”
15. What’s your dream shoot location?
“Somewhere in Japan, capturing a white Lexus LFA with pink cherry blossom trees along a scenic road. That’s the dream photograph I want to take.”
Jayden Thompson’s journey from a curious kid with a camera to “The Roller King” is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for photography, dedication to the craft, and connection with the car community make him a standout talent. We’re excited to see how Jayden continues to elevate his work with Selfvation.
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