Dreamy Midcoast Maine Family Photography

I met up with Ashley and Jade at their cottage in Midcoast Maine. They are both nature lovers who fill their home with mementos from their adventures together. I am in love with their little house - from the sheepskin rug, instruments along the wall, and beautiful dresses. It just seeps of romance! We wanted to focus on photographing their real-life as the summer ended. The golden grasses and fields by their home, their everyday rituals, and Jade’s boundless energy.

A Slow Afternoon at Home in Midcoast Maine

There’s something special about starting a family photo session at home, especially when it’s a quiet, cozy cottage in the Maine woods. Ashley and Jade welcomed me into their space, and we started with photographing everyday moments.

My documentary approach is based on creating photographs that are true to the individual in front of the lens. Very little posing; rather, I find the light in your space and allow you to just be. It always helps when there’s an activity though - so I loved when Ashley started braiding Jade’s hair, and later, selected a few books to read up on the bed.

This kind of storytelling, via film photography, documents not just how things looked, but how they felt. It’s incredibly dreamy, nostalgic, and romantic.

Playful Family Photography

After spending time inside, we stepped out into the fields near their house. Jade picked flowers and hid in tall grass while Ashley wandered nearby. I love to embrace the chaos of family life, so I just watched on as Jade frolicked in the fields and moved around to make artful photographs.

Especially when photographing motherhood, my goal is to capture what it feels like, not just what it looks like. Play is so helpful in connecting with your kids during these sessions. Having an activity, exploring the woods or beaches or flower fields helps create scenarios for intimacy and fun.

Why Work With a Documentary Family Photographer?

There’s a growing interest in documentary family photography, especially among families who are looking to create artful family photographs with intention. For those looking to create a family history of what life actually looks like.

Sessions like this one with Ashley and Jade are why I do what I do. There’s power in capturing motherhood in its quietest, most intimate moments. There’s beauty in letting kids lead the way. And there’s something incredibly dreamy about documenting family life as it is (rather than giving you a series of recycled poses).

Life is fast-paced and while we’re living it it can be hard to appreciate all that we have built. Photographs from a family session can reflect the beauty and the chaos of your current life. If you’re looking for a Maine family photographer who values real connection and memory keeping, I’d love to create something with you. Get in touch here!