Ben and I came THIS CLOSE to disaster - and I’m not exaggerating. The scrapes on our legs are proof of a day that went from creative serenity to terrifying in a heartbeat.

We headed to Lavernock Beach to film a new episode of FOOTPRINTS. Coastal shoots are familiar territory for us, and we’ve got a rhythm: stay aware of our surroundings, keep an eye out for passersby (not everyone wants a cameo), and, most crucially, watch the tide. Tides can sneak up faster than you’d think, and some coasts have currents that don’t mess around.

We parked, grabbed our gear, and started filming as we descended to the beach. It was perfect - quiet, deserted, with the tide far out, revealing a dramatic, rocky shoreline. I was buzzing with excitement, eager to see what creative path lay ahead. We’d likely edge closer to the water and I loved the way that things were panning out…
 

But our luck ran dry. After I shed my bikini to feel the salty breeze, we spotted people approaching. Not ideal for our shoot, so we veered off, scrambling over rocks toward the sea. Ben warned, “Keep an eye on the tide - it’s coming in.” I brushed it off, thinking we had plenty of time. My focus was on the camera and not slipping. Ben was engrossed in setting up a shot of me perched on a boulder, waves teasing my toes. We didn’t notice the sea’s sneaky move - not from the front, but from the side. Suddenly, we were cut off, stranded with no path back to the beach.

Ben stayed calm. He grabbed the camera and waded into the rising water, shouting back to guide me: “Step here, avoid there!” I fought panic, heart pounding with every step, terrified one misstep would sweep me away. 

Lavernock’s rocky shore was treacherous for my short legs - sometimes I’d step down and find nothing but water. My bag was soaked, my shoes ruined, and I stumbled backward too many times to count. Ben, somehow, kept the filming equipment dry and above his head, but his legs took a beating - cuts from the rocks and an ugly bruise on his shin. Later, he admitted he’d been gripping the jagged stones with his feet to stay steady, even as they tore at his skin.

Finally, we reached dry land, shaken but safe. We had been very fortunate: the water was calm, like a millpond, with no strong current. On a rougher day, we would’ve been easily swept off and battered into the rocks. I glanced back at our filming spot - now completely submerged. It hit me hard: the sea demands respect, no matter how many times you’ve walked a beach. One lapse in attention can turn deadly.
 

Yet, that’s what makes FOOTPRINTS so special to me. Moments like these remind us of nature’s raw power and the humility it demands. The wildness of the coast isn’t just a backdrop - it’s a force that shapes every frame we capture.