I had quite an interesting day in Poole a few weeks ago. I’d already had a cancellation for the area but still drove the 2 & a half hours down for my 4 hour shoot with Robin Tapp. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the studio owner just didn’t turn up and we couldn’t get hold of him at all. Being as our whole concept specifically revolved around this certain style of backdrop in the studio, we were a bit bummed out, but obviously just had to make the most of it. So after an hour or so of waiting, we decided to move on, the best thing being to reduce it to a 2 hour location shoot, before I had to leave to make it back for my evening course in Aylesbury. Robin suggested the naturist beach at Studland, which I’d heard of though not been to properly, luckily the weather was great, so off we went 🙂

Still being a fairly new driver, I was a bit panicked about mastering the car ferry, but despite imagining accidentally losing complete control and shooting my car overboard, we managed to get across normally. Achievement!! I’ve now conquered 2 previously feared driving experiences – going round the ramps in car parks and driving onto ferries 🙂

We then had a bit of a walk to the beach, and I had to laugh when we neared the nude section, where this sign is posted (click the photo to see larger). Sure enough, as we got closer the naked bodies started popping up, meerkat-like from the sandy dunes (I think you can see the head of one in the picture to the right).

With the glorious sunny weather it was really quite busy! There were a few ladies on the beach enjoying more chilled out activities (like lying down sunbathing and sitting chatting) but the men were definately out in their splendor, appearing here, there and everywhere, pacing up and down the dunes, standing proud, looking out to sea and airing themselves in the cool breeze 🙂
I have to say I hadn’t properly been to a nudist beach, having unfortunately never lived near a coast, and did find all this quite a funny (but lovely) experience 🙂 How fabulous it was to just whip off your clothes for a location shoot and not have to worry!! Very, very cool. I’d love to go back and chill out for a whole day (in good weather!), the sun and air does feel wonderful on your bare skin and it’s very relaxing & enjoyable.

So despite the initial trouble of the morning, it all turned out okay, even though I got rather tired with all the driving, I’m glad we could do something at least. We did attract a bit of an admiring crowd, which was fine, and we chatted to a few people who were very friendly. Possibly Robin was a bit bewildered how a supposed studio session had turned into a beach shoot surrounded my men wearing only backpacks and flip flops, but I think we got some great shots 🙂