Back in the early 90s we had a holiday in Tuscany on the coast outside Pisa. Back then we spent many days at the beach, you wanted to come home with a good tan. It was like a measure of how good your holiday had been.
Well, one day we were lying on the beach, we saw a young beautiful couple. They were sunbathing, enjoying life and smearing each other with suntan lotion. and I told my wife that I would like to photograph them. My wife replied that I could go over and ask them. Partly it was a bit presumptuous to interfere in their pleasant moments, and partly it was getting late, so I said I would wait until the next day. So I did, but the next day they were not on the beach, and I was a bit sad to have possibly missed my chance. They might have gone home.

The next day they were there again, and I could breathe a sigh of relief. I went over and introduced myself and presented my idea, to which they agreed. They were from Germany – the former GDR and their names were Carina and Mathias. We agreed that they should go into the water, and when they came up they should seek warmth in a towel and then lie down, enjoy the sun and apply new lotion. I didn’t have to instruct them any further, they did the rest themselves, and I photographed. After returning home I sent them as prints.

I have another portfolio about beach life.