Framing Legends: A Photographer's Diary from Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2026
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My weekend began early on Friday morning, stepping away from the typical spectator lines to join the crew on the ground. The true privilege of the day was photographing the exclusive scrutineering process.
Before these automotive masterpieces ever hit the manicured lawns, they must pass through strict technical inspections. Judges check for matching numbers, period-correct components, and historical authenticity.
Saturday morning brought the heart of the formal event to the historic lakeside terrace of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este. This day is all about precision and atmosphere. You are constantly managing deep green shadows from towering trees, bright gravel paths acting as giant natural reflectors, and blinding mid-day sun.
Since I was working with the social media team of Concorso itself, mid-day I had to move over to visit Villa Erba too, to make sure we do have some coverage of things happening there too.
Then again hit the road and head back to Villa d'Este to continue where I've left...
On Sunday, the energy shifted beautifully as the Concorso expanded into the expansive public grounds of Villa Erba for the grand public day. The quiet, exclusive tension of Friday and Saturday gave way to a roaring celebration of automotive passion. This year around I decided to check the infamous move from Villa d'Este to Villa Erba, where all exhibited cars are rolling down on a narrow street of the village providing a spectacular view to all. I also quickly realized that the area is filled with many car-spotters and photographers had to adopt and incorporate them in most of my images.
The event remains unmatched in it's category, I really do hope I'll be able to visit it next year again, hopefully again collaborating with BMW Hungary and the event itself.
