A colder climate = taking advantage of warm weather for photos!
There's no question that Maine is a bit of a colder state. Whenever someone asks me about the climate here, I generally offer this answer: Winter is the longest season in Maine. To me, it feels like winter lasts 6 months, 2 months for spring, 2 months for summer, and 2 months for fall. And while I do plenty of photo sessions during the colder months, the most family and couples sessions I do, happen during one of the "shorter" seasons here. So with that being said, here are some things to consider when planning for a photo session during the warmer months.
First, location! Maine is home to a plethora of beautiful areas whether it be a sandy beach, a rocky outcropping ocean-front area, the woods, or even a unique architectural area. So there really is endless places to take photos. I have put together a resource for some of the pros and cons of many of the places where I take photos. You can learn more here.
Second, if you are hoping to have the photos take place by the ocean, looking at the tide schedule may help you determine what time you want to have the photos done. On some beaches, being at low or high tide doesn't make much of a difference. However, in some places, it can impact photos. For example, Winslow Park is a beautiful location, but at low tide, the area by the water gets very, very muddy (aka mud flats) and sometimes has an unusual smell. You can find a tide chart for Maine here. Note - the website defaults to Portland, but you can change the town at the top. Below is an example photo of what mudflats can look like. This image is not from Winslow State Park, but it will give you a sense of the importance of keeping an eye on low/high tide at certain locations.
The above image is from the Nature Conservancy site.
Lastly, we have to factor in sunrise and sunset times when planning for photos. The general rule of thumb is that for the most flattering light in images, either take them within an hour or two after sunrise. To find out when the sun is rising and setting in a specific area or state, check out this website, which I use all of the time! Likewise, for evening photos, the best time to take them is an hour or two before sunset. It may not seem like a big deal, but it does impact the coloring on individuals as well as the setting. Light, which is less harsh, is always more flattering. I will share a few examples below.
This image was captured in the middle of the day under very bright conditions. While it's still a nice photo, you can see that mom & baby are a bit washed out and the shadows are quote noticeable. If they were facing foward, their faces would be washed out and they may be squinting, hence why I had them turn around. These photos were taken in a location that is only open until 5pm so most photos there during certain months can be quite bright. Just something to consider.
This photo was taken later in the day, nearing sunset time. You may notice that the lighting isn't as harsh on their hair, you can see more detail in their faces, and the rocks around them are not washed out. Overall, I think this image is much more pleasing to the eye compared to the earlier photo.
There is certainly a lot to take into consideration for photos. I will be sure to post another blog entry with even more information. Stay tuned! -Amy
Interested in learning more or booking a session?
Then please fill in your contact information and what type of photo session you are looking for and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours. If you don't hear back from me in a reasonable amount of time, please check your spam box or email me directly: amy@amylewisphotos.com
