Josh Bryan & Inflatealite: Inflatable Overhead Lighting Revolution | Hard Parking
About this episode
Josh Bryan’s overhead inflatable lighting system, the Inflator Light, takes center stage as the conversation traces its origins from a non-inflatable aluminum prototype to drop-stitch inflatable “light banks” and “butterflies.” The hosts connect the design to real-world use cases like outdoor car photography, film sets, and automotive studios/dealerships—plus why portability and safer overhead setups matter. Along the way, they compare equipment vs results, discuss AI’s limits for capturing true car condition, and share how Josh’s racing and rebuild background shaped his approach.
Host Jhae Pfenning heads to The Warehouse event center in Mesa, AZ and sits down with automotive photographer and inventor Josh Bryan. They dive deep into Josh’s inspiring journey and his groundbreaking Inflatealite — the revolutionary inflatable overhead lighting system that’s changing how pros light cars, bikes, and large scenes on location.
From humble beginnings to creating lightweight, fast-setup 8x8, 12x12, and massive 12x24 overhead lightbanks, this laid-back ~44 minute conversation is packed with real-world photography insights, inventor stories, and practical tips for anyone who deals with lighting setups.
Whether you’re a car photographer, filmmaker, or gear enthusiast, you’ll love this one.
Timestamps- 00:00 – Intro & sponsor message (Right Honda / Right Toyota)
- 02:10 – Welcome to The Warehouse + meeting Josh Bryan
- 06:45 – Josh’s photography journey and humble beginnings
- 15:20 – The “aha” moment that created Inflatealite
- 28:40 – Product breakdown: 8x8, 12x12 & 12x24 inflatable lightbanks
- 42:15 – Setup/teardown speed vs traditional heavy frames
- 55:30 – Real-world car & bike shoots with Inflatealite (Note: Adjusted for total runtime)
- 1:05:00 – Business challenges, lessons learned, and future plans
- 1:18:00 – Patreon supporter shoutouts
- 1:25:00 – Wrap-up, where to find Josh, and final thoughts
- 44:05 – End of episode
🔗 Links:
Inflatealite Official Site → https://inflatealite.com/
Josh Bryan / The Image Engine → https://theimageengine.com/
Josh on Instagram → @joshxbryan
Inflatealite on Instagram → @inflatealite
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hardparking.com
Patreon: patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast
Instagram: @hardparkingpod
YouTube: youtube.com/@HardParking
inflatable overhead lighting
"So why inflator light? Why did I develop it? Yes. Yeah. Okay. So let's see the light story... So I originally built a non inflatable version, just a basically an aluminum frame, hung it off a boom on a van for proof of concept."
This is a light setup that uses air to hold the lights in place. Because it’s inflatable, it’s easier and faster to set up on location than heavy, fixed lighting equipment.
Inflatable overhead lighting is a lighting system that uses an air-inflated structure to position and support lights. The key advantage is portability and quick setup compared with rigid studio lighting rigs, especially for outdoor car shoots.
boom
"I originally built a non inflatable version, just a basically an aluminum frame, hung it off a boom on a van for proof of concept."
A boom is like an extendable arm. Here it’s used to hold the light up and out so it can shine on the car from above.
A boom is a projecting arm used to extend equipment away from its mounting point. In this context, it’s used to position the lighting rig over the vehicle for consistent coverage.
proof of concept
"I originally built a non inflatable version, just a basically an aluminum frame, hung it off a boom on a van for proof of concept."
A proof of concept is an early prototype built to demonstrate that an idea can work in practice. Here, the aluminum frame and boom setup was used to validate the lighting approach before developing the inflatable version.
belly tanker
"And I had this belly tanker. And do you know what a belly tanker is? I don't. So these were a race car that were built out of like World War II drop tanks for World War II aircraft."
A belly tanker is a fuel tank that can be carried under an airplane and then dropped. The story here is that people later turned those tank shapes into race cars because they looked aerodynamic.
A belly tanker refers to a drop-tank style fuel container mounted under an aircraft, which can be released during flight. The speaker is describing how WWII drop tanks were repurposed into aerodynamic race-car bodies.
World War II drop tanks
"So these were a race car that were built out of like World War II drop tanks for World War II aircraft. So they would have these tanks that looked built kind of like a bomb, right?"
During WWII, aircraft could carry extra fuel in tanks that they could drop later. Those tanks had a streamlined shape, so hot-rod builders reused the look for race cars.
World War II drop tanks were external fuel tanks attached to aircraft that could be jettisoned after use. Their aerodynamic shape made them attractive as lightweight, streamlined bodies when repurposed into early race cars.
Bonneville
"And you'd see them at like Bonneville and other places, usually for like top speed sort of stuff, not so much like roundy round racing or road racing or anything like that."
Bonneville is a well-known place where people try to set speed records on salt flats. The host is saying these cars were usually used for top-speed runs rather than typical road racing.
Bonneville refers to the Bonneville Salt Flats, a famous venue for land-speed records. The speaker connects it to the kind of streamlined, top-speed-focused racing where these repurposed drop-tank cars were often seen.
road racing motorcycles
"went to work at a motorcycle shop, started road racing motorcycles. Road different."
Road racing motorcycles are motorcycles raced competitively on tracks. The speaker is describing how they got involved in racing bikes early on.
This segment discusses road racing motorcycles, which are competitive bikes raced on public-road-style circuits rather than drag strips. It sets up the speaker’s background in motorsports and tire/racing culture.
motorcycle tire distributorship
"And then later the motorcycle tire distributorship for Pirelli for the basically everything west of the Mississippi."
A tire distributorship is basically a middle step between the tire brand and the customers. The speaker is saying they helped supply motorcycle tires for a large region.
A motorcycle tire distributorship is a business role where someone sells and distributes tires to retailers or customers in a defined territory. Here, it’s tied to Pirelli and to the speaker’s involvement in the motorcycle road racing scene.
Pirelli
"And then later the motorcycle tire distributorship for Pirelli for the basically everything west of the Mississippi."
Pirelli is a well-known tire company. The host is saying they worked with Pirelli tires for motorcycle racing in a big region.
Pirelli is a major tire brand that also has a strong presence in motorsports. In this segment, the speaker mentions working as a motorcycle tire distributorship for Pirelli, tying the brand to racing tires and distribution.
911 R
"People probably know him best as 911 R and bring a trailer, Matt Crandall."
The 911 R is a special Porsche 911 built to feel more like a race car. Here it’s mentioned because the person being discussed is known for having one.
The Porsche 911 R is a rare, track-focused 911 variant known for emphasizing lightweight construction and driver engagement. In the segment, it’s used as a recognizable identifier for Matt Crandall, who is associated with the 911 R and Bring a Trailer.
Bring a Trailer
"People probably know him best as 911 R and bring a trailer, Matt Crandall."
Bring a Trailer is a website where car enthusiasts buy and sell cars through auctions. The host is saying Matt Crandall is well known there.
Bring a Trailer is an online auction platform focused on enthusiast cars, where buyers and sellers can find specific makes, models, and rare variants. The speaker references it to describe how Matt Crandall is known in the enthusiast community.
Jensen Interceptor
"...a long time, sold that, bought this VF 500 of 500 interceptors. A lot of people know which was kind of an entry ..."
The Jensen Interceptor is an older, sporty car made in the UK. It was designed for comfortable long-distance driving while still feeling fast. People bring it up because it’s one of the most well-known Jensen models.
The Jensen Interceptor is a classic British grand tourer, known for its distinctive styling and performance-focused character. It comes up in collector and enthusiast discussions because it represents a notable era of Jensen’s flagship cars and is often referenced when talking about the brand’s most recognizable models. In a podcast context, it’s likely mentioned as a prior ownership or “entry point” into a broader set of Interceptor-related collecting or interest.
crankshafts
"And those bikes were known for having some issues with crankshafts. And it was a V4."
The crankshaft is a key internal engine part that turns the engine’s motion into power. If a bike is known for crankshaft problems, it can mean the engine may need major repairs sooner than you’d expect.
A crankshaft is the rotating shaft inside an engine that converts the up-and-down motion of the pistons into rotational motion. When a specific engine family is “known for having issues with crankshafts,” it usually means failures or premature wear that can be expensive to repair.
V4
"And it was a V4. So it's a pretty complex engine."
A V4 means the engine has four cylinders arranged in a V shape. It’s a more complex engine design than some simpler setups, so repairs can be trickier.
A V4 engine has four cylinders arranged in a “V” shape around a common crankshaft. Compared with simpler layouts, a V4 is mechanically more complex, which can affect packaging, maintenance, and how failures show up.
wrecking yard
"So remember, we went to this motorcycle shop to buy and it was a wrecking yard, motorcycle wrecking yard."
A wrecking yard is where old or broken vehicles are taken apart so parts can be reused. It’s a common way to find replacement parts when you can’t buy them new easily.
A wrecking yard is a salvage operation where damaged vehicles are dismantled for usable parts. In motorcycle repair, this is often how people source hard-to-find components like specific crankshafts.
GSXR 750
"And then from there, I graduated to a GSXR 750. And my parents, you know, my parents, I don't know what they were thinking."
A GSX-R 750 is a Suzuki sport motorcycle. It’s built to be fast and responsive, which is why it’s a big deal as a first bike.
The GSX-R 750 is a sport motorcycle model from Suzuki known for being a lightweight, high-revving “supersport” bike. In this story it’s notable because the speaker describes it as a powerful first bike at a young age.
GSXR 1000
"Then the GSXR 1000 turned into an FCR 1000, which at the time was like a big, that was a big boy bike, right? It was like 130 horse, so much was like top of the heat back in the early nineties."
The GSX-R 1000 is Suzuki’s larger-displacement sport motorcycle, typically known for strong acceleration and high top-end power. Here it’s framed as a “big boy bike” with around 130 horsepower, which sets the context for why the speaker later moves into racing.
OMRA
"And the mechanic there was like, okay, you're going to kill yourself on the street. Like you should sign up and do a race. And there was a local racing series, OMRA, the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association, at the time I lived in Portland."
OMRA stands for the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association, a regional organization that runs road-racing events. In the segment, it’s where the speaker finds a novice school and race series to get track experience.
novice school
"And so I'm like, okay, great. So I went and I did, they had a novice school, they called it. And I didn't have good tires or anything, like no race tires."
A “novice school” in motorcycle racing is a beginner training program designed to teach fundamentals like riding technique, track etiquette, and safe progression. The speaker uses it to transition from street riding to organized road racing.
race tires
"they had a novice school, they called it. And I didn't have good tires or anything, like no race tires. So I bought like these takeoffs from one of the established racers of the time and put them on"
Race tires are track-focused tires designed for grip and predictable behavior at racing temperatures. The speaker contrasts not having race tires with buying “takeoffs” from established racers, implying the tire choice strongly affected performance and safety.
takeoffs
"So I bought like these takeoffs from one of the established racers of the time and put them on and race this 1000, you know, in my first race."
In racing slang, “takeoffs” are used race parts—often tires or wheels—that were removed from a bike after a session or event. Here, the speaker buys takeoffs from an experienced racer to get better equipment for their first race.
20 seconds
"But what they do is they let the little bikes go first and they would give you 20 seconds or whatever, right? And then the next wave, so they had like 250s, 600s."
The “20 seconds” refers to a staggered start or handicap-style timing where slower or smaller bikes get a head start. The speaker explains that the event releases different classes in waves, then gives time gaps to manage speed differences.
250s, 600s
"And then the next wave, so they had like 250s, 600s. And then they opened bikes, right?"
“250s” and “600s” are shorthand for motorcycle engine displacement classes (in cubic centimeters). The speaker is describing how the race is organized into waves by bike class, with smaller-displacement bikes starting earlier.
Fiat 600
"...t? And then the next wave, so they had like 250s, 600s. And then they opened bikes, right? I think I got..."
The Fiat 600 is a small car made by Fiat in Italy. It was designed to be an affordable, practical car for everyday use. People mention it when discussing early compact cars and how they became popular.
The Fiat 600 is a small, early postwar Italian car that helped popularize affordable personal transportation. It’s often discussed because it represents a major “first car” type vehicle and is tied to the broader wave of compact cars that became common in Europe. In a podcast, it may be referenced when talking about model waves and how certain small cars shaped what buyers could access.
stock suspension
"So after that, I sold that bike. The mechanic that worked with me that kind of got me going is like, okay, this thing had stock suspension, old takeoffs."
Stock suspension means the motorcycle’s original factory suspension components rather than upgraded track-focused parts. The speaker notes the bike had stock suspension and older takeoff parts, implying it wasn’t set up for optimal racing grip and control.
Kawasaki
"And I actually went to work as a mechanic for the factory Kawasaki race team, Rob Muzzy back then and wrenched on this wild Canadian guy."
Kawasaki is a well-known motorcycle brand. Here, the speaker says they worked for Kawasaki’s factory racing team, meaning they helped prepare race bikes.
Kawasaki is a major motorcycle brand that competes in top-level racing. In this clip, the speaker worked as a chassis mechanic for the factory Kawasaki race team, which implies hands-on involvement in race-bike setup and development.
dial in the chassis
"learned how to dial in the chassis, learned a lot more about suspension."
“Dial in the chassis” means getting the bike set up so it handles the way the rider wants. It usually involves adjusting suspension so the bike turns and grips consistently.
“Dial in the chassis” means adjusting the motorcycle’s setup so it behaves predictably—especially through corners. In practice, that usually involves tuning suspension settings and related geometry so the bike matches the rider’s style and the track.
privateer
"And I was a really good privateer. I was never going to run at the front of an AMA Superbike race at the time."
A privateer is a racer who isn’t on a big factory team. They often have fewer resources, but they can still be very competitive.
A privateer is an independent racer who competes without the full backing of a factory team. The speaker says they were a strong privateer—meaning they could be competitive, but not necessarily with the resources of top factory-level riders.
AMA Superbike
"I was never going to run at the front of an AMA Superbike race at the time. It would be like Eric Bostrom and Nikki Hayden and"
AMA Superbike is a high-level motorcycle racing category in the U.S. The speaker is saying they weren’t at the very top level where the biggest stars race.
AMA Superbike refers to a premier American motorcycle racing class/series run under the AMA umbrella. The speaker contrasts their own privateer level with the top riders who typically run at the front.
Nikki Hayden
"It would be like Eric Bostrom and Nikki Hayden and all that."
Nikki Hayden is a motorcycle racer. They mention him as an example of the kind of top talent that typically runs at the front.
Nikki Hayden is mentioned alongside Eric Bostrom as an example of the elite riders in AMA Superbike. The point is to illustrate the speaker’s position relative to the very top competition.
Eric Bostrom
"It would be like Eric Bostrom and Nikki Hayden and all that."
Eric Bostrom is a well-known motorcycle racer. The speaker brings him up to show what “front of the pack” looks like.
Eric Bostrom is referenced as one of the top riders in AMA Superbike. Mentioning him helps set the competitive benchmark the speaker says they weren’t realistically aiming to match.
air-cooled
"Like we ran air-cooled Buells when everyone else was running like liquid-cooled, smaller displacement twins."
Air-cooled engines use airflow to keep the engine from overheating. In racing, how you cool the engine can affect how consistent it feels when you’re pushing hard.
Air-cooled means the engine sheds heat using airflow over fins rather than a liquid coolant loop. Cooling choice affects how an engine manages temperature under sustained high load—important in racing where heat buildup can change performance and reliability.
Buell
"Like we ran air-cooled Buells when everyone else was running like liquid-cooled, smaller displacement twins."
Buell is a motorcycle brand. In this story, they used Buell bikes and had success even though most other riders were using different cooling setups.
Buell is a motorcycle brand known for making bikes with distinctive engine designs. Here, the speaker specifically mentions running air-cooled Buells in a field where many competitors were using liquid-cooled bikes.
smaller displacement twins
"Like we ran air-cooled Buells when everyone else was running like liquid-cooled, smaller displacement twins."
Displacement is basically how big the engine is. “Twins” means two cylinders, and “smaller displacement twins” means smaller two-cylinder engines compared to what the speaker’s group was running.
“Displacement” is the total volume of all engine cylinders, usually measured in cubic centimeters (cc). “Twins” means a two-cylinder engine, and “smaller displacement twins” implies competitors were using smaller two-cylinder engines rather than the air-cooled Buell setup.
liquid-cooled
"Like we ran air-cooled Buells when everyone else was running like liquid-cooled, smaller displacement twins."
Liquid-cooled engines use a coolant that circulates through the engine and radiator to control temperature. It’s one way to keep the engine from getting too hot during racing.
Liquid-cooled means the engine uses a coolant (typically water/antifreeze mix) circulated through passages and a radiator to control temperature. Compared with air-cooling, liquid cooling can provide more consistent temperature management during long, hard sessions.
Daytona
"We go to Daytona in the spring and sometimes in the fall too, depending on which race series."
Daytona is a famous racing track in the U.S. The speaker is saying they went there as part of their race calendar.
Daytona is shorthand for Daytona International Speedway, a major U.S. motorsports venue. The speaker mentions going there as part of their racing schedule, highlighting the national-series travel and prestige of the events.
Road America
"Laguna Seca, Road America, which is my favorite track, just all over the place."
Road America is a famous road-racing track in the U.S. The speaker mentions it as part of the big events they traveled to.
Road America is a prominent U.S. road course known for its varied corners and elevation changes. The speaker groups it with other major venues to describe the breadth of their racing travel.
Laguna Seca
"Laguna Seca, Road America, which is my favorite track, just all over the place."
Laguna Seca is a well-known race track in California. The speaker says it’s their favorite track.
Laguna Seca refers to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a well-known road course in California. The speaker calls it their favorite track, indicating it’s a memorable part of their racing experience.
AI calling (picking photos with eyes shut / not smiling)
"That's where that AI calling, you know, eyes shut, people not smiling, heads turned the wrong way. It can figure all that out and it's very, very useful."
It’s software that helps sort through lots of pictures. Instead of you manually checking every photo, it can automatically find the ones that look best and skip the bad ones.
The host is describing AI-assisted photo culling: software automatically flags and selects images that meet certain quality criteria. In the car-photo workflow, it helps discard shots where subjects have issues like eyes shut, not smiling, or heads turned away, so fewer photos need manual review.
automotive use in studios and dealerships
"Well, we've got two distinctly different clientele... but the most obvious one was automotive use, both in studios and in dealerships."
They’re talking about using the inflatable lights for car photos, not just in a fancy studio. They also mention using it in car dealerships where space and setup time matter.
The discussion shifts to how inflatable overhead lighting can be used for automotive photography and presentation. The host mentions both dedicated studios and dealership environments, implying the lighting system is meant to be portable and quick to set up in real-world sales and photo settings.
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