I moved to Maine about 10 years ago from Massachusetts, and now that I’m here there’s no looking back. I take a walk out of my house and can get to the river or the woods within a few blocks. And while I LOVE at-home family sessions, they don’t work for everyone. Here in Maine, we are lucky enough to have so so many options for outdoor locations. Locations that have a way of making you slow down. That help us all appreciate the ocean, mountains, and forests. I've found a few specific pockets of beauty that lend themselves to tender family photographs. If you're thinking about an outdoor session, here are some of my favorite locations in Midcoast Maine.

a family sits on a rocky beach on film in maine

Reid State Park, Georgetown

Reid is one of those places that has it all. It’s actually where Matt and I got married, and it remains a special place. There’s sandy beach for running around and getting close to the waves, a rocky ledge for climbing, inland marsh areas, and pine forests. It creates so much diversity and room for play and intimacy within a family session.

a family walks along a grassy beach in midcoast maine

Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg

Popham has a different energy than Reid, I like Popham for the grasses and sandy beaches that feel a little more serene than Reid. During low tide, the beach becomes super expansive and you can walk out to a rocky island. I suggest Popham during sunset at low tide, where we can walk out towards the ocean and the sunlight reflects in the water in the sandbars.

a family snuggles during a session in maine

Merryspring Nature Center, Camden

If you're looking for something quieter and more intimate, Merryspring is a gem. In spring and summer, the gardens are full of flowers and the large grassy area is great for kids wanting to run around (but remain within sight). The flower beds create a natural boarder for running kids who want to look at dandelions and scope out the flowers. I like to start off in the middle of the gardens before moving to some of the grassy fields and forested pathways. While we can walk out pretty far, Merryspring is especially nice for families with younger kids who might not want to hike far, but want some privacy among forests and fields.

Beech Hill Preserve, Rockport

I love Beech Hill; though, during peak golden hour it can sometimes feel a bit like the paparrazzi are everywhere. It’s a popular spot for photographers, and I can understand why. A short hike (about a mile) offers a beautiful payoff with views of the Midcoast and glowy flower fields. At the summit sits Beech Nut, a stone hut that adds additional dimension for family photographs. This location is perfect for families who love hiking, or couples wanting dramatic landscapes.

a family lying in grass at sunset smiling and laughing during session in rockland maine

a family portrait on beech hill in maine at sunset on film

Fort Point State Park, Stockton Springs

Fort Point is idyllic Midocast Maine. It’s fairly quiet and (again) offers a little bit of everything. There's a lighthouse (Fort Point Light), rocky shoreline, and the remnants of Fort Pownall. The park sits on a peninsula where the Penobscot River meets the bay, so the views stretch out across the water toward Castine. I love the little pathways through goldenrod fields and the ability to walk a few feet to a rocky beach. The light here in the evening is soft and warm and glowy!

Moose Point State Park, Searsport

Moose Point is one of those places that has grown on me through the years. This small park sits right on Penobscot Bay, with grassy picnic areas and a very rocky beach. There are also trails that wind through the woods, offering a mix of forest and coast in one location. The tide pools on the beach are great for kids that are a little older that want to explore and can walk on the rocky beach.

Coastal Rivers Nature Center & Hidden Valley Nature Center (Shell Midden Trail), Damariscotta

Coastal Rivers offers several preserves in the Damariscotta area, each a little different, but all filling that hope for big grassy fields and hills. The nature center itself has trails through forests and along the Damariscotta River. The trails are often quiet and create space for kids to run along the forest line or up and down the small hills. I’ve met families here both morning and afternoon and believe you can’t go wrong either way.

Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, West Bath

Hamilton Sanctuary is a fairly expansive preserve with salt marshes, forests, and fields. There are miles of trails, and the landscape shifts from dense woods to open meadows to marshy edges. I tend to hang out by the little beach which offers beautiful views of the marsh (especially during foggy days). I'm drawn to Hamilton for its wildness. It’s a little more unkempt, but it provides a privacy I can’t often find in outdoor locations.

Pemaquid Beach

Pemaquid Beach is a small strip of sand near Pemaquid Lighthouse. It’s bordered by large rocky cliffs and backed up by grasslands. I love Pemaquid for it’s freedom of movement and solitude. It’s great for playing kids or couples that want joyful and expansive photographs.

documentary maternity photographs outdoors in maine on film

maternity photography at pemaquid point in maine

A few thoughts on choosing a location

When clients ask me where we should do a session, I always want to know: What places feel special to you? Where do you spend time as a family? What kind of landscape makes you feel most at ease? If at-home is not feasible, we can find an outdoor location that creates a space that can feel similarly intimate and comfortable.

If you're interested in making photographs together at any of these spots - or somewhere else entirely - send me a message. I'd love to hear about your family and the places that matter to you.

Family Photography Outdoor Locations in Midcoast Maine