Paul-Henri Cahier is a famous Formula 1 photographer and has been in a Grand Prix business for over forty years. His established, colourful and stunning images have graced the sport, winning over a number of fans for how close he can really get to the glamorous cars.
Cahier was born in Paris on November 7th 1952 and was the son of Bernard Cahier, who himself was a well-known and respected photographer in the black-and-white era. It was clear from an early age that Paul-Henri wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. This was probably helped by the contacts and friends that Bernard had established in the form of Grand Prix world champions such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Graham Hill.
When he was 13, Bernard gave Paul-Henri one of his cameras, so he could start his apprenticeship as a Formula 1 photographer. His advice to his son was “Just Do It!”
By 1967, Paul-Henri Cahier’s photos were being published in numerous magazines across the globe, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that he decided to go professional as a photographer. At this time, he settled down into a relationship with Japanese wife, Tami. They have been together for over 25 years. Throughout his era, Cahier has captured some of the most dramatic shots in Formula 1 racing and has contributed to a variety of magazines – including in the UK – Top Gear, Autosport and F1 Racing. He has photographed on black-and-white and colour cameras with shots which really have captured the imagination of one of sport’s greatest pinnacles.
Between 1991 and 2008, Paul-Henri Cahier has published 8 books, with a variety of stunning photography, alongside some quality Journalistic writing. His latest book, about Formula 1: The Pits won ‘Best Book of the Year.’ He also won ‘Best Picture of the Year’ in 2008. His numerous exhibitions have also won fame and prestige around the highly respected Grand Prix paddock. Cahier has hosted 10 exhibtions on certain F1 photography between 1984-2009, with a variety of venues, from Tokyo and Monte Carlo, to Paris and Singapore. Cahier was a very close friend of the late Brazilian, Ayrton Senna. Senna, three-times a world champion allowed Cahier to get very close to his activities, both on and off track. When Senna was prematurely killed while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Cahier was devastated to lose a close friend, but determined to put on an art of work that would make the Senna family proud. He did this with the ‘Ayrton Senna’ gallery in Tokyo – opened at the beginning of 1995. It won many plaudits from spectactors and other photographers within the Grand Prix industry.
Cahier was the chief photographer for the traditional Autocourse motorsport annual at the end of each motorsport season between 1992-2002. Cahier has also worked closely with his father on the now defunct World Sportscar Championship, and is regular visitor to one of the jewels of the crown in motorsport, the Le Mans 24 Hours. One former who wasn’t so graceful was Kimi Raikkonen. Cahier was pushed to the ground by Raikkonen moments before the start of the 2008 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, whilst the Frenchman was trying to get a close-up shot of the quiet Flying Finn.
Paul-Henri Cahier has been a stunning leader in Grand Prix photography and is still going strong – fourty-three years after making his initial breakthrough. Expect more amazing top-quality photos from Cahier throughout the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
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