Portland Maine Engagement Photographer
Artful engagement photography for creative, sentimental souls | all on film
I want you to have engagement photographs that feel like YOU! This is photography for couples who don’t resonate with a traditional approach to portraits - who want something unique and authentic to their relationship. These engagement sessions are creative and based on the things you like to do together. Think of them as a date night, where I get to third wheel with some cameras.
Engagement sessions are shot on 100% analog film. Their fun, artistic, playful, and totally tailored to the two of you. I bring a laid back approach, and above all don’t require that you perform for a camera. It’s less about posing, more about just being yourselves together.
Engagement sessions start at $900
About Alyssa: Documentary engagement photography on film
I’m a Maine-based engagement + wedding film photographer, who loves to document everyday life and human connection. I’m happiest with several film cameras in hand and find this is the medium best suited to creating photographs with feeling. I believe love stories exist beyond the stereotypes and tropes we see celebrated in mainstream media. I want you to have photographs that feel authentic to you and your partnership. Your love is worthy of being documented & there is no need to perform for your engagement photographs.
We may be a fit if…
You want a laid-back, artful approach to your engagement photographs.
You want photographs that celebrate your partnership.
You want photographs that are actually fun + not cookie-cutter.
ALL LOVE IS WELCOME HERE
I believe everyone of all backgrounds and identities should have a safe and welcoming space where they can be themselves. All types of families and celebrations are worthy of being witnessed and documented.
Why couples work with me for their engagement sessions
As a Maine engagement photographer, I am committed to celebrating real couples in a way that feels true to them. My approach is grounded in empathy and intentionality - creating non-traditional engagement photographs on analog film that celebrate real, everyday life. I work with couples in their homes and most special places, while using a documentary photography approach to create artful photographs. Photographs that feel like your partnership.
I want your photographs to feel lived in and authentic. For your friends and family to say ‘that’s so YOU.’ I’m your photographer if you don’t really like posed photographs. My engagement sessions are more like date night, less like a photoshoot. I will never ask you to perform for me.
I travel throughout the state (and beyond) to document couples in all of their favorite places.
What’s included in an engagement session
Before: Help planning
Once you reach out to me, we will chat about the best timing and location. I usually recommend a place that makes you feel the most comfortable and we can brainstorm activities that you like to do together - whether it’s sitting at home making a cup of tea, going to your favorite record shop, or taking a walk around the neighborhood.
During: One hour session
The session is about one hour long and full of ease. We can take breaks, there is no rush here! I provide a little bit of guidance - like finding the good pockets of light - but in general I just want you to all be yourselves. It’s not pose-y or formal, just your own life.
After: Photo gallery
About 4ish weeks after the session you will receive a link to access an online gallery of 50+ photographs you can download and print. Right within the gallery, you can even order prints and a linen-covered photo album so you can take your photographs off of the screen.
Want to plan an engagement session that feels like a celebration of your relationship? Something that you actually enjoy? I’ve collected some ideas for you to explore when planning your session.
Engagement sessions that feel authentic to you
Where I photograph engagement sessions
At your home & anywhere in Maine
I always recommend a location that you all feel most comfortable and yourselves. When we collaborate about the session details, we will pick a location. Whether it’s at your home, a favorite park, trail, beach, or cafe. For sessions outside of Maine, reach out for travel information!
Recent engagement sessions
Around town in Portland
Maine beach engagement
Kettle Cove engagement
Maine Engagement Photography Session FAQs
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When you inquire with me, we will work together to pick a date that works for you. I am available to book year-round; however I recommend considering indoor locations for the colder Maine months.
For outdoor sessions, I typically suggest the afternoon in the hours leading up to sunset.
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The timing for an engagement session is totally up to you - whether that’s within the first month after engagement, or closer to your wedding date. As a past-bride and wedding photographer myself I think it’s kind of nice to have engagement photographs in a different season than your wedding.
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Engagement sessions are $900. These sessions are about an hour long.
If you booked me (or are hoping to book me) for your wedding, I offer complimentary pre-wedding sessions to all of my couples. You can check out more about my wedding offerings here.
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I like to think of engagement sessions like a date night. We can spend a quiet afternoon at your home, hang out with your animals, go for a walk, make dinner, walk around your favorite stores. The options are pretty limitless. I find having an activity to do though really helps create photographs that feel natural and true to you. If you want to brainstorm ideas with me, I’d be thrilled to help!
You can also check out some ideas about creative engagement sessions here.
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I am based in Bath, Maine, but available to travel nationwide. You can read more about my travel radius in my packages. But if you would like me to book me for outside of that radius, please get in touch for a custom quote!
And as a Maine engagement photographer, I have a special place in my heart for my local couples that call Maine home. I offer a little 15% discount (automatically applied at checkout) for any Maine residents who book me for an at-home engagement session.
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I am a documentary photographer, meaning I do not want to interfere with the natural flow of your life. I'd much rather meet you where you are take perfectly imperfect photographs. While I may give you some prompts, I'm much more interested in sitting back and seeing where the moment takes us. Sessions with me tend to be laid back, natural, and focused on documenting candid authentic emotion and connection.
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All sessions are shot exclusively on film (35mm and medium format). Film is scanned at a high-resolution and uploaded to an online gallery for you to view and download. Your gallery will include 50+ photographs.
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All of my sessions are 100% analog film. Film is the tool that best allows me to create dreamy, nostalgic photographs of life.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the colors of film are unmatched compared to digital. From a process standpoint, film forces me to slow down, and in doing so, capture moments more intentionally. What this means for you is intimate unexpected moments captured on a timeless medium.
Let’s plan your engagement session
Send me an email with all your ideas!