Capturing 60 years of Princess Yachts through a new lens

For his birthday, Mike purchased a 60-year-old film camera, embracing its slower, more deliberate process to look at Princess models through a different lens. Rather than focusing on conventional product photography, Mike turned his attention to the shapes, angles, and interplay of light and water, creating strikingly artistic images that reveal the boats in an entirely new way.

“I thought, Princess is the same age as me, and such a huge part of my working life. Maybe I can look at the boats differently, beyond the interiors, beyond the lifestyle, to capture their form and beauty as art.”

Mike’s journey into photography began unexpectedly in a classroom. As a teenager, he signed up for his school’s very first media studies course - simply because it was taught by his favourite teacher. The very first lesson was black-and-white darkroom printing.

“As soon as I saw that image appear in the chemistry, I knew - that was it. I’d always loved art, but I could never translate what was in my head onto the page. Photography gave me that ability. If I could see it in my mind, I could eventually make it real.”

That instinct for capturing light and space has defined Mike’s 20-year career at Princess. Photographing yachts, particularly their interiors, has been one of his greatest challenges.

From the early days of digital photography in the 2000s, when equipment and lenses struggled to keep up, through to today’s ultra-sharp optics and collaborative tethered workflows, Mike has played a vital role in shaping how Princess yachts are presented to the world.

“Of all the things I’ve ever photographed, yacht interiors can be the most challenging. Balancing natural daylight, tinted glass, feature lighting, and additional studio lighting - it’s taken years of progress, practice, and technology to get it right. But the results make it worthwhile.”

This anniversary project has been something entirely new. With the vintage camera, Mike has slowed down the pace of photography, spending time to carefully consider every angle and every moment of light.

Shooting at the shipyards and on the water, he has focused on architectural details, reflections, and design lines, revealing the craft as sculptural works of art.

“When you really study them, you see how much detail the designers have put into every curve and line. Window shapes, light play, water reflections, it’s all so beautifully thought through. I wanted to capture that feeling of water and light that is so integral to a boat.”

The project has also been deeply personal. Over more than 20 years documenting Princess, Mike has photographed everything from the brand’s pioneering early models to landmark launches like the 40M in Palma, capturing the evolution of interiors as they evolve into spaces that feel bigger and brighter with each generation. He’s also seen the yachts themselves grow in ambition and scale, something that continues to inspire him.

“Every time I step on a new model, I’m staggered. Somehow the designers create more space, more light, more sophistication. I’ve never stopped being amazed.”

Just as Princess celebrates 60 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and design, Mike’s 60th birthday and 20-year partnership with the brand both stand as a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity.

This collection of images are artistic, thoughtful, and deeply personal and represent not just boats, but the people, passion, and stories behind them.

Princess is producing a book of Mike’s photographs; alongside framed works displayed at international shows. Visitors at Cannes, and Düsseldorf and other future shows and events will have the chance to see these works up close, and to experience Princess Yachts through Mike’s eyes: not just as yachts, but as works of art shaped by light, water, and imagination.

Discover Mike's full portfolio of work on his website, Mike Evans Photography.