Last week, Camber’s Western car park looked less like a seaside getaway and more like a tactical military base. A massive operation of lorries and high-end filming equipment rolled into the village, marking the arrival of the upcoming rom-com Hello and Paris. As an amateur photographer who has previously tracked down the likes of Damian Lewis and the legendary Michael Caine on these very sands, I knew I had a new challenge on my hands—and only an iPhone to meet it.
This isn’t just any film; it’s a “swoony” production in the vein of Sleepless in Seattle, starring Kate Hudson and Javier Bardem. Security was intense. To get the shot, I recruited my trusty accomplice, Jackawaha dog, (better known as Nick Nack), for a bit of coastal reconnaissance.
Our strategy was the “Dune Sneak”: moving through the dunes to avoid security patrols while staying within allowed areas. Along the way, we came across a striking piece of filmmaking equipment—a huge, unmanned jib crane set high on the sand. Poised to capture smooth, sweeping shots of the coastline, it underscored the scale of the production. It was a clear reminder that while I had only my iPhone, the professionals had far more powerful gear.
The film, directed by Elizabeth Chomko, follows a landscape architect and a novelist who spark a connection over books and recipes after a rocky meeting in Paris. Produced by Fifth Season, reports indicate that Amazon is in talks to acquire the rights to the film. While we didn’t see much “swooning” from our vantage point, we saw plenty of cardio. On day two of filming, we did spot Javier Bardem from afar, though “spotting” him mostly involved watching him jog across the beach for multiple takes. It seems the life of a romantic lead involves a lot more running than the movies lead you to believe. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to position ourselves, we were not there at the right time, during the three days of filming, and the elusive Kate Hudson remained out of sight.
However, there is a unique thrill in watching the sheer scale of a professional crew at work—hundreds of people moving in sync to capture just a few seconds of footage. We did manage to snag some great shots for the portfolio, including a very important cast member: Tilly, a movie trained Golden Retriever who has a small but undoubtedly vital role in the film.
In the end, while we didn’t get that perfect close-up of the stars, the experience of the hunt was worth the sand in my shoes and adds another chapter to my collection of film making photos on Camber Sands.
Image Credits: Amanda English .