Maine Family Film Photography

Documentary family film photography

Are you also deeply sentimental & nostalgic like me? Do you crave a unique photography experience for your family that involves making art of your everyday life? Does time feel like it’s moving way to fast and you want photographs of this fleeting season?

Here’s what I believe: so much of family life and parenthood goes unseen and undocumented. The small moments of everyday mothering - packing lunches, lacing up shoes, snuggling on the couch, reading books in bed. You’re constantly in your kids lives, behind the scenes, making it all happen. But do you have photographs of these moments of parenting? Photographs that your kids will cherish - of you in the scene with them.

Family photographs don’t need to be overcomplicated. A lot of life happens at home, so let me come to you. Invite me over on a free morning or take me to your favorite local part. Make your tea, read with the kids, and play - and in doing so, I will create that photo album full of mothering memories for you & your family.

A family stands at their doorway looking pensive during a family photography session at home on film

If you want photographs that you can feel, that were created with intention, for the family album in mind, that froze the imperceptible moments of everyday beauty and love, that freeze the magical essence of family life…then you are in the right place - let’s make magic together

A newborn baby is held by his mom and his dad holds his finger
Family black and white film photography at the beach, a mother holds her daughter leaning up against a piece of driftwood
Maine family photographer; A baby looks up in the air while laying on a bed during a family photo session

Maine family photographer

NOSTALGIC PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE FAMILY ALBUM | BASED IN MIDCOAST MAINE

I specialize in family film photography - documenting human connection and honest memories that will be cherished for years to come. I believe there is magic in the ordinary that demands to be seen. I photograph families solely on film. For me, film allows us to slow down and document moments with intentionality. With film there is a degree of chaos, uncertainty, and imperfection. When you take part in a film session there will be creativity, beauty, and unanticipated magic!

I want to slow down, chat between pictures. I want to explore the light in your home as it changes over seconds, minutes, and hours. I want to walk down your favorite beach, and swim in your favorite river. I want to document all of these special moments that make your everyday magic.

Documentary at-home family photography on film in Maine, newborn session where a mother is holding her baby and the baby is grasping onto her finger as they breastfeed; on black and white film; Maine family photographer
A family cooks dinner at home near Portland Maine with their dog hanging its head out the window; Portland Maine family photography at-home
Two siblings smile as they fall over the bed during a family film session in new england
A family lays in a grassy field in midcoast maine in rockland smiling during golden hour during this candid photograph
A mother and father hold their newborn in camden maine on black and white film during a newborn photography session
A family plays a game during a photography session as they twirl around
A family stands at their barn at home in rural bangor maine during a family photography session
Vintage mother and daughter candid documentary photography on film in Maine as they run through wild flower fields and take a quiet moment to put flowers in their hair; Maine family photographer
A mother laughs and smiles while holding her baby at sunset in yarmouth at cousins beach during documentary newborn family photography session on film; Maine family photographer
Candid black and white film photograph of parents holding hands with their shadows against a white door and their toddler standing up between them at coastal rivers center in damariscotta midcoast maine during documentary family photography session
A mother stares directly at the camera while breastfeeding her newborn during a newborn film photography session in midcoast maine
Extended family photography in Maine at hermit island campground during sunset; kids are laughing and playing at the water and their reflection is shown in the blue light during a documentary film family photography session in midcoast maine
A family session at home in portland maine as a mother holds her newborn
Medium format black and white film of a family walking along a wooded path near Portland Maine during documentary family session while they were traveling to Maine on holiday; this is a candid moment of them with their arms around eachother and toddl
A boy and dog, outside the window, are staring in the same direction during this family film photography session in new england
Joyful family documentary photography on black and white film in Midcoast Maine as a family hugs and laughs on the ground
A dad holds his son in their backyard in porland maine during a family photography session
A mother soothes her daughter and her son stands next to her at a preserve in Rockland during a film family session in Maine while they were vacactioning
A family lies on the ground at the park with their toddler held above them touching their faces during this sweet candid moment for a family photography session on black and white film
Family session at home in midcoast maine, a mother sits on the bed with her cats on film
Maternity photography session on black and white film; new england film maternity photographer; A man hugs and kisses teh forehead of a women with her eyes closed on a path in newburyport ma
At their family farm near Portland Maine a child holds a duckling and smiles while his mom stands next ti him
A newborn photography session in portland maine, a mother cradles her baby against her sweater in the wind at gilsland farm audubon
Mom and children photo
A little girl rides on her dads back during this playful joy-filled moment as the mom looks up at her daughter
At-home family photography session on film; a father pushes his kids in a toy car across their lawn in late fall with the trees in full color during a documentary family session in Maine
A little girl stands on a bench at home during a family session in new england
newborn family photography in maine; a family sits on a blanket at the beach in yarmouth, with a mother holding her baby next to her daughter at sunset
Maine family photographer adventure photography session near Rockland Maine, mother holds her daughter on her shoulders in front of a grassy field and mountains on 35mm film
A tender moment between a mother and daughter in Maine as the sun sets behind them in a flower field; Maine family photographer
A family gathers on their front porch for a family film photography session
A boy lies on his bed during a family photography session in new england
Maine family photography at home in bangor maine in the backyard; a mother sits with her two teenage kids
A mother holds her sons hands as he sits on her shoulders during this candid loving moment at a family photography session
Midcoast Maine family photography milestone session of a one year birthday at the coast in Boothbay Maine where the family cuddled on a blanket at the beach
Newborn photography new england on film; a mother lies on a picnic blanket with her newborn baby at a park in midcoast maine

The Process

  • The beginning

    When you inquire with me, I will be in touch asap to finalize all the details, like setting a location and time. I will send a styling guide, and can help you and your family with your wardrobe as much or as little as you prefer. Once we get down the details, you will receive a contract and pay a 25% deposit to secure your booking.

  • One-of-a-kind session

    In the lead up to your session I will be in touch to confirm and send over a little styling guide. I’m here for any and all questions that may arise prior to our time together. Day of, I want our time to feel like an intimate casual gathering. I will be there to document you and your loved ones. My style is not about making everyone smile and look at the camera (though I will get a couple of these). Rather, I’m there to document the imperfections, the small moments of magic and connection. You just show up as you are, and the magic will follow.

  • The photographs

    About five weeks later you will receive a gallery of images, all of which you can download and receive high-resolution files. Feel free to share & print as much as you’d like. Within the gallery, you can even order high quality matte prints or a photo album to leave on the coffee table.

Are you ready to make beautiful photographs for your family album? Send me an email with all your ideas!

Add a Super 8 home movie

I also offer Super 8 home videos, all filmed with a camera from the 1950s. While photographs freeze time, Super 8 gives you a snippet of the moments before and after that photograph. Want to be able to look back at your children playing in the yard, squeezing your finger, or chasing after you? Super 8 films can document these special moments in the same way that our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents lives were documented.

Featured family stories

Adventure up Beech Hill

Family picnic in Augusta

Hike to our favorite beach

Kind words

“Alyssa was amazing for our in-home family shoot!! She made us feel like we were just having a normal day at home & captured such special moments!! Highly recommend!!”

– Sofia D.

“We cannot recommend Alyssa enough! She will make you feel comfortable, make your shoot feel effortless and give you cinematic, timeless photographs. My husband declared them “Some of the coolest photos he’s ever seen.” We can’t wait to work with her again!”

– Rebekah H.

“Highly recommend!! Alyssa did a family session for us at Bug Light Park, after one of the rainiest December days, and we were absolutely thrilled with our photos. It was a cold day, and she captured such special shots in between the wind gusts, fussy toddler moments, and wrangling the dog. She has the best eye! We love that she does digital & film. Very artistic and talented!”

— Amelia F.

“Alyssa was amazing and captured the most beautiful candid photos of my family. She’s very personable and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Highly recommend her!”

— Kayla S.

  • Idyllic Maine family photography on an island; a little girl splashes in the water while her parents look on at Little John Island in Yarmouth

    SIGNATURE STORYTELLING SESSION

    Together we will collaborate to document your families unique story over the course of an hour and half. These sessions can be unique to you - in your home, outdoors, or another spot special to you and your loved ones. These are perfect for making family photographs in a laid back environment. We will find the patch of light in your home or yard, or take a walk around your favorite place. You will walk away with portraits and candid photographs from our time together. For locations further than 80 miles from Bath, I will charge an additional travel cost.

    Includes:

    Guidance on best times for the session that work around your schedule, a custom location that is special to you, & help styling (as much or as little as you wish)

    35+ photos delivered via an online gallery, for you to print and post as you wish

    Photos delivered in 5 weeks

    Cost: $600. 25% deposit secures date, and remainder due at time of session

  • A family session at home in Maine

    DAY IN THE LIFE

    These are half-day (~6 hour sessions) to document what makes your everyday extra special. We’ll spend a slow morning or a long afternoon together, documenting your unique family – all of the smiles, laughs, and hugs. The longer timeframe allows us to slow down, chat, and create a comfortable space for photographing those moments that make your life your own. Whether that be a morning eating breakfast at home and a trip to the lake, or time with family playing board games and making dinner - these sessions are perfect for the memory-keepers who want photographs of how their life feels. Photographs they can put into an album and look back. For locations further than 100 miles from Bath, I will charge an additional travel cost.

    Includes:

    A collaborative experience unique to you, including: guidance through the whole process for best times to schedule the session (with bedtimes and naps in mind), talking through choosing locations/activities, & help styling (as much or as little as you wish)

    80+ film photos delivered via an online gallery, for you to print and post as you wish

    Photos delivered in 5 weeks

    A small selection of high quality prints from our time together mailed to you

    Cost: $1,000 25% deposit secures date, and remainder due at time of session

  • Story-telling family photography; a dad helps his daughter ride a bike at their family homestead

    MATERNITY & NEWBORN PACKAGE

    For those looking to document this season of change. Two session: maternity & newborn - so you can have photographs of your growing family. Each session is about an hour and a half located within 80 miles of Bath, Maine. For locations further than 80 miles from Bath, I will charge an additional travel fee. We can collaborate on the location, styling, and activity to create photographs that represent your family. These sessions are designed to capture a little slice of your life - unposed, and with a documentary approach.

    Includes:

    Two 1.5 hour sessions - one maternity and one newborn. They can occur up to 6 months apart. Newborn sessions can take place up to 5 months after birth.

    A collaborative experience unique to you, including guidance through the whole process for best times to shoot (with bedtimes and naps in mind), a custom location that is special to you, help styling (as much or as little as you wish), and a follow-ups throughout to prepare

    50+ photos (from each session) delivered via an online gallery, for you to print and post as you wish

    Photos delivered in 5 weeks

    Cost: $900. 25% deposit secures date, and remainder due at time of session

Family photography pricing

All sessions include:

Film photography (35mm and medium format)

An online gallery of images

Printing rights to all photos

Support with wardrobe and location (if desired)

Add ons:

Super 8 home movie: starting at $150

High-quality matte prints (available via print store in gallery): starting at $2.50

Customized photo book (available via print store in gallery): $95