Golden Shores of Nice

This shot takes me back to a peaceful evening on the pebbled beaches of Nice in the south of France. The sky was painted in soft hues of gold and blue, the Mediterranean waters shimmered with the fading light, and everything felt calm yet alive. I knew I had to capture the moment, but there was one small hurdle—I don’t speak a word of French.

Let’s just say my French teachers would be shaking their heads if they knew how little I retained from school. Still, with a smile and a lot of hand gestures, I managed to communicate with the women in the frame. Luckily, they spoke some English, and their warmth made all the difference. After a brief but friendly exchange, they gave me permission to include them in the shot.

There’s something so human about this moment. The women, so at ease, are surrounded by life’s simple pleasures, sun, sea, and good company. The golden light bathes everything, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. This image reminds me that connection, even across languages, is universal, and sometimes, all it takes is a little courage and a shared moment to bridge the gap.

— T-Lodge