A Coastal Adventure & Camping Trip in Maine
Portra 400 w/ Contax T2
Like this picture above and most things in life, nothing really ever goes as planned….
Just before the summer solstice in June, Ethan and I went up to Maine to shoot for a few different jobs. Since moving back to the Northeast, I’ve planned at least one trip to Maine each year. Summer is my favorite time to visit the state which I’m sure is no surprise as this season in all of the New England states are truly unmatched. Everything is so incredibly lush and lively. There isn’t really a limit to any experience except it has been an unusually rainy summer. So much to where we’ve just kind of expected it to be rainy each day no matter where we went or what we were doing. We kept our expectations low for Maine but given that we were going to be camping and then sailing on a boat, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a huge part of me that was wishing for some sunshine even if it meant humidity too.
Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
Desert of Maine
Our first stop and photoshoot was at the Desert of Maine in Freeport. A quiet campground that’s nestled in the middle of rolling sand dunes a lush forest. Crazy right? This place had a very interesting history dated back to the 1800s and has also been a tourist destination for almost 100 years. It was really cool to experience nature in this way, learn about the history here and document the stay for their websites and social media page.
They offer a variety of accommodations such as cabins, tents and domes complete with a cozy seating area, campfire rings and Adirondack chairs. The intention is to unwind in nature while still having the comforts of home such as a bathroom and kitchen. I love traditional camping but I’ll be honest… after living on the road for almost three years with minimal amenities, I will gladly take a glamping stay. It’s nice to be deep in nature without totally roughing it.
The Dome on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
Under the Pines
Ethan and I had a lot to shoot while we were here so we were camping here Monday-Thursday. This job was Ethan’s as he has been connected with the folks who run Desert of Maine for many years. He photographed the area while they were still in the early stages of building and only had a few stays completed. Returning to this place and seeing it operate in full swing was special. They needed photos and videos of the recently finished cabins, tents and domes as well as some lifestyle content of their other offerings.
As for me, I’ll take any excuse to go on a trip! It is much easier to photograph spots like this with two or more people. When you’re working alone, you are just so limited on the angles you can get and overall feeling you can capture. Our approach to capturing this place was simple. We always want our photos and videos to feel as organic as possible so the plan was to exist and experience the place as if we had booked it ourselves. We leaned into our camping side and went for walks in the morning, had our meals outside, and sat by the fire in the evening while eating s’mores. We also took a day to explore the main attraction: the dunes!
Camp Vibes - a mix shot on Canon AE-1 // Contax T2
Wander in Wonder
We channeled our inner child and spent a day exploring the sand dunes, playing mini golf, and riding the train to the exhibits to learn more about the history of Desert. There’s an old electric train that takes you around the area and makes stops at different exhibits such as this old filling station and an 1800s farmhouse that was turned into a museum.
The Tuttle Family had farmed on this land in the 1800s and while the original house burned down about 100 years later, the folks at Desert had found an identical one to relocate to the dunes. The frame of the house has been restored and original interiors have been put in to show what life was like on the farm back then. I absolutely loved the “Shady Grove” filling station. It truly felt like a step back in time with original signage, cash register (inside), oil cans, and even an old mechanics uniform hanging outside. This probably doesn’t interest kids much but not to worry, if you are planning a trip for the family there is also plenty to keep them busy! Other points of interest include a fossil dig, gemstone village, a playground, a snack bar and mini golf. We did play a couple games and Ethan beat me, of course.
Shady Grove on Portra 400 w/ Contax T2
Evenings at Camp on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
Even though we were here for work, we really enjoyed our time at this campground. During every job whether it’s near our house or a few hour drive, we always try to find a bit of time to slow down and be present. Luckily for us, we were already halfway there just by being outside and close to nature. I’ve never really been to a campground that had more than a lake to swim in so it was cool to camp but also experience all the interactive exhibits they offer. The folks who run the Desert are also super nice and welcoming. You can tell they put a lot of work into bringing this vision to life. I was happy to see it so busy even in early summer.
We lucked out with the weather early on. The first day that we arrived, the weather was warm and sunny so we tried to fit most of our shooting in, especially the campfire scenes in the evening. The next couple days were a bit more gloomy and rainy but it was still peaceful. Ethan prefers light but I actually don’t mind shooting in overcast because everything is lit so evenly and it makes colors pop a bit more. We were both feeling pretty confident about the gallery of content we had been getting so we weren’t too bothered by the weather turning that is, until it was time for the next shoot…
Good Moody Morning on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
While we were planning our trip to the Desert of Maine, Ethan and I decided to weave in another shoot for L.L. Bean. He was hired to create for a summer campaign and we couldn’t think of a more perfect combo for the New England brand than a sailboat and the coast. Ethan has worked with L.L. Bean for a couple summers now and I have had the pleasure of assisting on these shoots. Last summer, Ethan and I did a group shoot with our friends Luc and Faye out in Wyoming. Somehow the universe aligned us four again for another Bean filled summer.
Our friend Luc has a sailboat, Holiday, and kindly agreed to joining in on the shoot. It was one of those unexpected alignments in all of our schedules. Luc and Faye already had a trip planned to ___ Maine which was just about 30 minutes south of the campground in Freeport. We were really hoping for a day of sunshine but in true costal fashion, a wave of gloom came over. We were pretty bummed. On the drive, Ethan and I started to rework the storyboard a bit and decided to lean into the gloom and our true feelings about it. If you’ve been in New England, you’d know that it’s been SO dang rainy. I mean months of rain almost every day. We embraced it and romanticized it at first, but now we were definitely over it. We just wanted to shoot a fun and summery vibe, however, we put a little twist on the video and it turned out to be one of my favorite brand videos from Ethan yet.
Sailing the Coast of Maine
Sailin’ on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
Me on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
This was actually my first time on a sailboat ever. I experience motion sickness often now (I never used to) so I was a bit nervous about going on the boat but it ended up being perfect weather for it, according to Captain Luc. The conditions were calm making for a very smooth sail. No one was out either so it was incredibly peaceful. We were out on the water for over an hour creating but also enjoying. We even saw seals quite a few time! I hadn’t been on a boat in many years so it was really cool to be this close to the water. It was fascinating to witness Luc (and Faye) work the sails. I hardly know anything about sailing so witnessing the process up close was inspiring. I spend all of my time on land so of course I was going to be intrigued.
A Coastal BNB
Luc and Faye were staying in this quintessential coastal bnb that had a private dock you can sail right to.. I mean it doesn’t get any more perfect than that, does it? Before hitting the water, we hung out in the cottage and admired the craftsmanship of the place while also snacking and taking some photos. There was already some decor from L.L Bean like blankets and pillows which made this spot feel more of a natural fit for the shoot. It was a bit chaotic upon arrival as we were trying to figure out a flow of everything (with four creative and chatty minds) and while trying to navigate the unexpected (but also expected) weather. We saw that rain was predicted but the predictions weren’t always accurate. And like I said earlier, deep down, I was really hoping the clouds would break and we’d be shown sun at the last minute.
Prior to the shoot, we had all chosen the things we wanted or wanted to wear. Since it was supposed to be a summer campaign, we initially planned to shoot bright colored bathing suits, shorts and t-shirts but that quickly shifted to sweaters and pants. We have worked with L.L. Bean in the past so we actually had a variety of clothing to work with thankfully, otherwise, I’m not sure what we would’ve done. It wasn’t that cold where we absolutely needed sweaters but it certainly would’ve looked funny if Faye and I were out in our pink and yellow one pieces in the gloom ha!
Faye on Portra 400 w/ Canon AE-1
Last summer, the four of us lived out in Driggs, Idaho just across the border of Wyoming. The guys initially headed out in early May to work on a cabin build near the Grand Tetons. Us gals joined shortly after in June to offer support and enjoy the summer out west. We shared an apartment and all had planned to be out there for a majority of the summer until the plans for the cabin build abruptly shifted due to permit troubles. After only a couple months out there, Ethan and Luc learned that the build was going to be pushed until summer 2025. A decision had to be made.
We loved being out west for more than just a road trip as we got to explore the Tetons on a much deeper level than most people, however, we all agreed that we were a bit homesick for New England. While the west is wild and picturesque, New England carries a wildness and beauty in its own way. It’s a bit more green and quiet over here which I’ve really learned to appreciate. We were all longing for the familiarity of home and to soak up the rest of summer in Vermont and on the coast of Maine. Around mid July, we packed up the apartment we shared and all went our separate ways back east. Luc and Faye road tripped back, Ethan drove a U-haul back with our stuff, and I caught a plane. I hate flying but it sure was nice to wake up in Denver and land in New York City within hours. Since then, we’ve been roaming around this part of the country, working with brands we love and sharing stories that we don’t want to ever forget.
If you’ve made it to the end, thank you! I feel so grateful to have had all of these experiences and hope something here can inspire your next trip. All of the film shot on this trip was developed and digitally scanned by Negative Lab in Los Angeles. I have been sending my film here for 2 years now and I am always pleased with my scans. I cannot express the difference the lab makes! If you’re interested in giving them a try, use ‘WILD15’ for 15% off your first purchase. For transparency, I do not make any money when you use this code but I do receive a discount off my processing services by spreading the word. Whether you’ve read this post or use my code, every little bit helps keep me doing what I love. For more work and easier updates, follow me on Instagram. Until next time! With love, stay wild ~ Jess.
