There’s something truly special about being part of a celebration that marks six decades of community, camaraderie, and a shared passion for all things fast and loud. On a spring evening in the rolling countryside of Modbury, the South Hams Motor Club gathered to celebrate its 60th anniversary, and I had the honour of capturing it all through my lens.
The venue for this milestone event was the picturesque Shilstone House, nestled in Ivybridge, Devon. This place is the kind of countryside escape that would make Jane Austen reach for her notebook, complete with sweeping green fields, winding driveways, and the sort of stillness that makes you want to take a deep breath and pause. But on this evening, one of the main attractions wasn’t just the scenery, it was the giant white gazebo pitched to perfection, ready to welcome 200 guests and mark a moment in motoring history.
Early Arrival and Evening Light
I arrived super early, as any good event photographer should, to give myself time to settle in, scope out the angles, and most importantly, capture the all-important detail shots before the crowds arrived. There’s a real peace in photographing a venue before the bustle begins. With two Sony A7IVs strapped across my shoulders and my trusty Sony 70-200mm f2.8 V2 and Sony 24-70mm f2.8 V2 lenses ready for action, I got to work.
The gazebo was a marvel in itself; huge, bright, and beautifully set up. White drapes softened the metalwork, and fairy lights hinted at the twinkling evening to come. Tables were immaculately laid, trophies gleamed under the ambient lights, and banners proudly celebrated South Hams Motor Club’s diamond milestone.
On my way in, I couldn’t help but notice a nearby field filled with tiny, impossibly cute lambs; the kind that make even the most hardened petrolhead go “aww.” I snapped a few quick photos because, well, when Devon hands you baby sheep, you don’t say no.
Let’s take a look at some of the photos from the evening…
Guests Arrive and Candid Moments Begin
As guests started to arrive, I offered to take portraits. It’s always a nice way to make people feel seen, and let them know there’s a camera about. That gentle introduction always helps later on when I move into full stealth mode for candid shots. Once the tables started to fill, I switched gears; both figuratively and literally, and brought out the 70-200mm to get those natural, unobtrusive moments.
This lens is an absolute beast for compressing backgrounds and creating that gorgeous separation between subject and environment. Better still, it allowed me to hover on the outskirts, blending into the background like a photography ninja. No one knew where I was half the time, which is exactly how I like it for events like these. That’s when you catch the laughter, the conversations, the reactions, all the real stuff that tells the story better than any posed shot ever could.
Dining, Stories, and Rally Legends
As dusk settled over the hills, the scent of dinner started to fill the air, and I took the opportunity to quickly photograph each table, capturing the smiling faces, the shared bottles of wine, and the unmistakable energy of old friends reunited. These weren’t just any guests. Many of them had been involved in rallying and motorsport for decades; from amateur racers to rally veterans. The stories flying around the tables were plentiful.
And then came the highlight of the evening: the guest speaker. Howard Davies, celebrated co-driver and rally legend, took to the microphone and commanded the room with his signature wit and charm. For anyone in the UK rally scene, Howard needs no introduction, the man helped steer Gwyndaf Evans to a British Rally Championship title in 1996, and his stories of navigating through top-level motorsport were every bit as thrilling as you’d imagine.
I switched lenses to match the changing light; bringing out the Sony 85mm f1.4 and Sony 24mm f1.4. These two are my absolute go-tos for low-light work. The 85mm f1.4 gave me creamy backgrounds and crisp, sharp portraits of Howard mid-speech. The 24mm helped capture the wider scene: the crowd laughing, the reactions, the little details like someone raising a glass in toast. It was storytelling gold.
Awards, Applause, and a Sense of Legacy
No big anniversary bash is complete without a bit of silverware, and South Hams Motor Club didn’t disappoint. The award ceremony kicked off and, let me tell you, it was trophy city. Rally achievements, club service, special recognition, you name it, they handed it out. I made sure to photograph each recipient with their prize, capturing both posed smiles and those candid little moments of pride and humility that say, “This really means something.”
What struck me most was the mix of generations. From the seasoned drivers who’ve been part of the club since the early days to the newer members just starting out on their motorsport journeys. There was a genuine sense of legacy in the air. Sixty years is no small feat. That’s six decades of engines revving, tyres spinning, friendships forming, and countless memories made on dusty tracks and winding country roads.
Wrapping Up and Winding Down
As the final trophy was handed out and the last cheer faded into the Devon night, I quietly packed my gear, still buzzing from the atmosphere. There’s a particular kind of satisfaction that comes from documenting a moment you know will be remembered for years to come. With my two A7IVs now safely back in their bags and the sound of rally tales still echoing in my ears, I hit the road back to Torbay. Tired, yes, but smiling the whole way home. I love being an event photographer!
Final Thoughts
Events like this remind me why I love what I do. It’s not just about the photos, it’s about the people, the stories, and the shared passion that ties it all together. South Hams Motor Club put on an absolute belter of a celebration, and it was an honour to capture the spirit of such a historic night.
To everyone who attended, laughed, reminisced, and posed (willingly or not!); thank you. And here’s to another 60 years of petrol-fuelled adventure, friendship, and a few more trophy cabinets that need dusting.
