Maine, the Way Summer Should Be | Acadia National Park Family Photography

Some families start as clients and somehow end up feeling like old friends.

Laura found me toward the end of 2022, and not long after that, she and her family invited me into one of my absolute favorite kind of sessions - the kind where nothing is staged, nothing is rushed, and real life is not just allowed, but fully embraced. Since then, they've brought me along on their annual family camping trip to Acadia National Park. Twice.

And yes.

It rained both years.

Acadia, Always Worth the Drive

I've always been a national park junkie.

I used to work in Yellowstone. I've been to a handful of parks across the country. And even though I don't live close to one anymore, the five hour drive to Acadia is still one I'll make every single time.

There's something about Acadia that just hits differnt. Standing on the edge of those high cliffs with the Atlantic crashing below feels wild and invigorating, and a little bit feral in the best way. It's raw, and so incredibly beautiful.

Two Trips, Two Very Rainy Vibes

This post is a mix of photos from two different summers in Acadia, and both held their own kind of magic.

The first year, the fog rolled in thick and moody, completely swallowing us on the cliffs. It felt cinematic and dramatic - very "Twilight."

That same trip, we eneded up at one of the coves and there was no "waiting out the weather." This family fully embraced the downpour - playing in the ocean, laughing, splashing one another, completely soaked. It was just one of those moments where you just accept that you're already wet and decide to make the most of it.

The second time around, the rain showed up again, but it was more polite this time. It lingered just enough to remind us that this was, indeed, Maine. Early in the morning, Laura and I set off into the park so she could step in front of the camera for herself - quiet, powerful portraits that felt grounded, strong, and completely hers. Hands down, one of my favorite moments of the entire summer.

Camp Life

The magic of it all, was hanging out at the camp site. There were marshmellows roasting over the fire. Wine being poured. Corn hole games (to which they graciously allowed my toddler to join in). The older kids were riding their bikes, kicking around a soccer ball, darting in and out of the frame, never still.

At one point, we wandered up a small hill near their campsite and picked wild blueberries together. If you ever pictured what camping in Maine should feel like, this was it.

The Kind of Photos You'll Look Back On and Cherish

What makes these sessions extra special is that this is a trip they take every single year. Being invited to document it - to photograph grandparents, parents, and kids together in a place that already holds so much memory is something I don't take lightly.

These aren't "perfect" photos.

They're better than that.

They're photos of what summer actually felt like.

I can already imagine these kids years from now saying, "Remember when it rained every time we went to Acadia?"

"Remember picking wild blueberries at the campsite?"

"Remember?"

And that's the whole point.

Real life. Real memories. And a little rain for good luck.

| Acadia National Park Family Photography |