23/07/2026
It is with great sadness that Classic Team Lotus reports on the passing of photographer and passionate Lotus enthusiast Stewart White at the age of 87.
The majority of Lotus fans probably wouldn't recognise his name, but I’m sure most of you will know his photographs as Stewart probably photographed more Lotus road cars than anyone else in the world. Stewart started his career as a photographer with Universal Press syndicate in Fleet Street working for publications including the Evening Standard. One of his first assignments took him to a North London hospital to photograph a young couple and their new-born daughter. Over the next 40 years the names Colin and Hazel Chapman and Lotus would go on to feature heavily in the world of Stewart White.
Stewart’s passion for the fledgling brand saw him buy one of the very first Elans on the road. Using the Elan as a daily driver covering thousands of miles for work meant that Stewart’s car essentially became an official customer development car, and was in and out of the Lotus Cars service department at Cheshunt.
One of Stewart’s many visits to Cheshunt brought about a chance meeting in reception with chief accountant Fred Bushell who enquired what line of work brought somebody to cover so many miles in their car. Stewart’s reply of “photographer” prompted the question from Fred “would you like to photograph a car for us?” The reply of “sure, I would love to” would shape Stewart’s life and career. So much so in fact, that Stewart’s regular visits to Lotus and contact with receptionist Dene on the service desk turned into a relationship that would eventually see them marry and raise two daughters Joanna and Eleanore.
That first job for Lotus would turn out to be memorable. Sent to a remote race circuit location in Scotland, 26-year-old Stewart was asked to meet with a man he didn’t know, Ian Scott-Watson and shoot a Lotus Elan belonging to a friend of his, none other than Team Lotus star driver Jimmy Clark.
When hearing the news, Clive Chapman remembered Stewart fondly. “I remember him as such a nice man who always lifted the occasion. Plus, he must have got the job done if he worked with Colin for so long.”
