Exmouth, Devon, is a photographer's dream: golden beaches, sweeping estuary views, dramatic skies, and a vibrant community. But for me, as a local photographer, this familiarity can sometimes feel like a creative double-edged sword. How do you keep capturing the same surroundings with fresh eyes? How do you push yourself to find new perspectives in a place you know so intimately?

This shift in approach has made the project even more meaningful to me. It’s a reminder that creativity is as much about adaptation as it is about vision. As I continue to photograph and learn more about the extraordinary people who make up Exmouth RNLI, I’m excited to share the stories behind the portraits and the moments that make this crew so remarkable.

I reached out to the media officer at my local station in Exmouth in Devon to see if there was any appetite for my project. There was, but it became a fairly lengthy and drawn out process as I navigated the complexities of data protection and copyright. As I travelled this path, my vision began to develop. I realised that it wasn’t just about the boat crew.