SALON PRIVE 2024
Salon Privé 2024 was a special one for me. I was in partnership with Lockton Insurance to cover the event for them.
Held at Blenheim Palace, this established event, brings together automotive passion and luxury, offering an exquisite blend of high-end cars, stunning architecture, and a world-class atmosphere. For a photographer, it’s a paradise: a meticulously curated setting where history, craftsmanship, and design collide in a stunning visual feast. The challenge lies in capturing the essence of the event, balancing the elegance of the venue with the dynamic spirit of the automobiles on display.
One of the first things that strikes a photographer at Salon Privé is the sheer scale and variety of vehicles. From rare pre-war classics to the latest hypercars, the event brings together some of the world’s most coveted machines. The natural light of Blenheim Palace grounds, complemented by the soft English skies, provides a unique opportunity to experiment with various lighting conditions throughout the day. Early morning or late afternoon light creates dramatic shadows and soft highlights that make each car's curves and lines come alive.
The cars themselves are a study in design, and I have to demonstrate my ability to translate their intricate details through the lens of my cameras. Whether it’s the gleam of a chrome bumper or the finely sculpted bodywork of a Ferrari, every element offers an opportunity to tell a story. detail shots of engine bays, reflections in the polished bodywork, and the interplay of shadows on a hood are often as captivating as the wide-angle shots of cars in motion.
But capturing the essence of Salon Privé is not just about the cars. The atmosphere of the event—the elegantly dressed guests, the timeless architecture, and the polished lawns—forms a backdrop that elevates the cars into the realm of art. As a photographer, you have to have your wits about you to capture fleeting moments that blend the human experience with the machines. A wide shot of a Rolls-Royce parked against the grand columns of Blenheim Palace, or an attendee admiring a rare Aston Martin, is as important to the story as a shot of the cars themselves.
What sets Salon Privé apart from other automotive events is its exclusivity and intimacy. Unlike larger car shows where the cars are often displayed behind ropes or in vast exhibition halls, Salon Privé offers an environment where visitors can interact with the vehicles up close. This accessibility allows for more dynamic and personal photographs, often featuring owners and enthusiasts in candid moments. The challenge, however, is capturing these interactions in a way that feels authentic, without disrupting the serene luxury of the event. Being the enthusiast I am as well as a photographer I know how precious I am about the safety of my own cars, having a 3 million pound car on display with those in attendance to paw at it would certainly make me just a tad nervous.
The lush greenery of Blenheim Palace’s grounds offers excellent natural framing, but it also requires constant attention to composition. Managing reflections from the surrounding environment can be tricky when photographing shiny surfaces, especially under direct sunlight.
Salon Privé is not just an event; it’s an opportunity to tell a visual story that celebrates the intersection of automotive engineering and art. Each frame is a moment to reflect the elegance, precision, and passion that define this prestigious gathering, making it a photographer’s dream assignment. Whether you’re shooting from a distance or getting up close to the details, Salon Privé is a spectacular canvas for any lens to capture.
Aston Martin 177 at Salon Prive 2024
Salon Privé at the Royal Hospital Chelsea 2023
Salon Privé London gets off to a glittering start with multiple UK debuts and luxury showcases
Salon Privé London opened its doors at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the 2023 season with a dazzling display of new automobiles. The event features multiple UK debuts, over 60 collector's cars, and luxury brands from around the world. Show Director David Bagley welcomed guests and media, expressing excitement about the event's lineup of prestigious cars, top-notch hospitality, and the unique location in the heart of the city.
Highlights of the event included the UK debut of the electric Abarth 500e Scorpionissima, the unveiling of Hennessey's Venom F5 Roadster, and the introduction of Rolls-Royce's Phantom Extended and Maserati's GranTurismo. Wiesmann showcased its electric roadster, Genesis presented the GV60 with face recognition technology, and Polestar exhibited the Polestar 3 electric luxury SUV.
Other attractions included Theon Design's Porsche-based ITA001, Richard Hammond's Chapron-bodied Delahaye, Montblanc's 8000 Capsule collection and 1958 Iced Sea Collection, and Jenson Button's Coachbuilt Whisky. Guests also enjoyed the Salon Privé London Supercar and Manufacturers Parade, the Concours de Vente featuring collector's cars for sale, and a luxury shopping village with brands like Boodles and Montblanc.
Salon Privé London provided top-tier food, hospitality, and entertainment, including a three-course luncheon, Pommery Champagne, cocktails from the London Essence Co, fine wines from Château la Gordonne, family-friendly activities on Saturday, and exclusive VIP hospitality at The Sloane. DJs kept the party going in the evenings on Thursday and Friday. As the sister event to Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace, Salon Privé London is recognized as one of the world's most prestigious automotive events.
The full Salon Privé Concours de Vente 2023 winner list:
Class 1 winner: 1966 Maserati Sebring 3700 GTI, from Graeme Hunt
Class 2 winner: 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spyder, from The Classic Motor Hub
Class 3 winner: 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Vignale, from Aston Workshop
The Pensioners Trophy winner: 1954 Bentley R Type Continental, from Dylan Miles
The People's Choice winner: 2005 Maserati MC12, from Joe Macari
Salon Privé 2022 - Blenheim Palace
My favorite large-scale, high-end show of the year and they planned not to disappoint. This year Salon Prive they were hosting the Ferrari 75th Anniversary Class, a star attraction at its Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva.
‘There have been many concours events in the past where rare Ferraris have been on display,’ said Salon Privé’s chairman, Andrew Bagley. ‘Blenheim Palace’s South Lawn, Salon Privé audiences will see a truly extraordinary collection of unique and ground-breaking Maranello cars – more than half of which with the prized Classiche certification - that defies comparison.’
WEDNESDAY - PRESS DAY:
This year would be different for me, on Wednesday the 31st was “press day” and I attended with all the other Media and Togs and we would get to see the reveal of so many special machines and have the chance to get up and close with the cars and the designers and production teams. On “press day” there are no visitors just us…
Wednesday was rather hot, so I decided to chance wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I packed trousers and a shirt in the car just in case but the staff at the event were nonjudgmental and didn’t seem to mind as I was working.
Sitting down in the marquee where the staff would welcome us for the day, we were offered coffee and Croissants. After the briefing, the PR Director and her staff would set out the day for us and what could be expected.
Wednesday Highlights:
An opportunity to witness manufacturers World, European and UK debuts
Plus, see the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance featuring more than 100 cars
The Platinum Collection – a specially curated display of cars from the past 70 years, brought together for the first time in honour of The Queen’s Jubilee (RIP your Majesty )
Prodrive Legends feature that will celebrate the British company with a line-up of rally cars, racing cars such as the Ferrari 550 GTS and Aston Martin Vantage GT4, and the new Prodrive Hunter – the world’s first all-terrain hypercar.
The Apricale represents a revolution. It is the only hypercar to provide a zero-emissions powertrain in a car whose weight is the same as a petrol-powered equivalent – and half that of some battery-electric equivalents
After seeing the unveiling of the Viritech Apricale, we wandered over to the New Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster The Texas-built Venom F5 Roadster is a new rival to the Koenigsegg Regera and the Bugatti Chiron SuperSport. The guys on the stand confirmed that cowboy boots and hats were not part of the upgrade package.
2022 CLASS WINNERS:
BEST OF SHOW WINNER
Ferrari 250 GT TdF Berlinetta by Zagato
Year: 1956
Coachbuilder: Zagato
BEST OF SHOW RUNNER-UP
Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Mille Miglia Cabriolet by Graber
Year: 1938
Coachbuilder: Graber
BEST OF SHOW THIRD PLACE
Bentley 8 Litre Saloon by Freestone & Webb
Year: 1931
Coachbuilder: Freestone & Webb
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Lorraine Dietrich 130HP ‘Course’
Year: 1907
Coachbuilder: Lorraine Dietrich
CHURCHILL CUP FOR MOST EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN
Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupé by Freestone & Webb
Year: 1933
Coachbuilder: Freestone & Webb
Full listings can be found here:
https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/about-concours-delegance/past-winners/
Sunday 4th September 2022 - Drivers Union
Another early start but this time with The Drivers Union.
Quote “A supercar club Founded in 2012 and with over 1,000 supercar-owning members, the Drivers Union is the largest and most exclusive multi-marque supercar club in the UK. Membership is open to owners of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, and selected models from other supercar marques. We organise coffee mornings and group drive-outs, supercar lunches, dealer visits, discounts on services, and much more”.
I was invited along as one of their club photographers by Syeed Ali its founder and overall lovely gentleman. The day is well organised with members displaying their cars in the grounds of Blenheim palace, food was on offer for members and guests, and for those participating in the day, there were trophies on offer for the members.
The weather held out with blue skies and warm weather. The general public took great delight in viewing the cars on display and I got to meet up with other photographers and was invited onto the roof of the palace for a very special vantage point.
