When you work as a photographer, you get used to things changing last minute. Timings, locations, lighting conditions, it’s all part of the job. But every now and then, you get a shoot that starts as “just a quick two hours on a gentle fishing boat” and somehow turns into an unexpected 7-hour high-speed marine adventure. This was one of those days!

The Original Plan… and the Twist

The brief sounded straightforward: A local company needed updated website images for their two types of boats; a small mackerel fishing boat that hosts up to a dozen passengers, and a larger sea-life tour boat designed for bigger groups. The shoot was initially going to be a relaxed couple of hours aboard the fishing boat, cruising around Torbay, capturing lifestyle images, details of the boat in action, and a few shots of the coastline. It was also important to cover every aspect of where people embark and disembark, so they know exactly where they need to be.

But as I pulled up (prompt as always) with my Sony A9, my trusty 70-200mm f2.8 V2 and 24-70mm f2.8 V2 lenses, and a zip lock freezer back to keep the camera and lens dry from the waves, I get a “We’ve changed plans,” they said. “We’re using the rib instead. We’re going further today. Is that okay?”

Today, that was no problem at all!

The rib in question? A high-speed rigid inflatable boat capable of skimming the waves at rather enthusiastic speeds. A very different vibe from the gently bobbing mackerel boat I was mentally prepared for. But, hey, I’m adaptable! 🙂

Gear Check and Challenge Accepted

Thankfully, I’m no stranger to shooting in unpredictable environments. My camera set-up allowed me to switch seamlessly between my longer lens for distant sea life and my 24-70mm for wide, scenic shots of the boat, the crew, and the coastal views.

One unexpected challenge? The electric viewfinder. While it’s normally a godsend in bright light, something about the combo of choppy water, high-speed motion, and staring into a tiny digital screen gave me a wave of nausea like I’ve never experienced. I’ve never been seasick before, and I’ve been out on the water a lot of times. But the viewfinder this time got me close!

The Route: Torbay to Exmouth and Back Again

Once we launched, the “quick Torbay loop” became a much larger trip. We zipped from Torquay down past Teignmouth, along the Dawlish coast, and all the way to Exmouth. The speed made for incredible motion shots, spray flying, dramatic skies, wide open sea, but also meant we could stop on a dime and grab all the seascape and wildlife shots as they appeared.

Still, we managed to capture it all; dolphins, seals, seabirds, and beautiful headlands flying by. I also captured a couple of trawlers the skipper knew well, some yachts, dinghy’s and other sea-faring objects in and on the water. I also managed to capture the steam train going over the viaduct and some normal trains scooting along the coastline.

Dolphins, Seals, and an Egret with a Vendetta

The wildlife gods smiled on us that day. Just off the coast near Brixham, we spotted a pod of dolphins. Now, I’ve photographed dolphins before, but they usually require a bit of patience. This group? They gave us about half a second; one glorious leap above the water before vanishing beneath the waves.

That’s where gear, instincts, and a little luck all had to work together. With the 70-200mm ready, I tracked as quickly as I could, locked focus, and fired. Caught one mid-leap. Not a magazine cover moment, but a real, beautiful moment all the same. They never jumped twice in a row so it was more difficult than normal to capture, but they have some photos to use!

Not far from there, a solitary egret managed to scare three seals who had been napping peacefully on a floating platform. A startled egret whooshed up, and plop-plop-plop; off the seals went into the water. I couldn’t help but laugh. These are the unexpected little moments that breathe life into an otherwise “commercial” shoot.

Lunch by the Quay – The Prawn Sandwich Interlude

By the time we reached Exmouth, it was well past lunch, and I was running on adrenaline, sea air, and… not much else. Fortunately, we docked near a café and grabbed a bite. I went for a prawn sandwich. Something about eating seafood while staring at the sea just feels right. It was glorious. I could’ve stayed there for hours, watching the world go by.

But we had more coast to cover.

Brixham, Paignton, and Torquay – Wrapping Up with Style (and Sunburn)

The return journey took us past Brixham’s colourful harbour, Paignton Pier, and back to Torquay’s iconic coastline. The light was beginning to change by then, the sun getting lower, shadows getting longer. Perfect conditions for warm, late-afternoon glow.

One minor problem: I didn’t bring a hat or suncream. What started as a two-hour trip had become a full-day shoot under open skies. I don’t have much hair (a solid grade 0), so by the time we docked, I was a charming shade of cooked lobster 🙂

It was totally worth it!

What I Took Away from the Day

This shoot wasn’t just a test of photographic skill; it was a reminder of why I love what I do. You can plan all you like, pack the best gear, study the light, prepare shot lists… but at the end of the day, the best photos come from being ready for whatever happens.

Whether it’s dolphins appearing out of nowhere, seals being spooked by birds, or a prawn sandwich saving your sanity halfway through a shoot, photography is about being present.

If you’re thinking of hiring a event photographer for something a little different; whether it’s a boat tour, a nature trip, or just something that doesn’t fit into the standard “event” category, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always up for a challenge… maybe with a hat next time 😉