Finding the perfect setting for family photos in Maine is just as important as choosing the right photographer. As a Maine Family Photographer, I know that the right location can transform a session into a meaningful and beautiful experience. Maine offers sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, historic downtowns, peaceful woods, lakeside scenery, and flowering gardens. This guide covers the best photo locations in Maine along with entry costs, dog policies, maps, and tips for planning your session.
Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light
Cape Elizabeth
A top coastal choice for families looking for variety
Fort Williams Park offers fields, ocean views, shoreline rocks, wooded paths, and the famous Portland Head Light. Families can easily move between open grassy areas and dramatic coastal cliffs which helps keep young kids engaged during a session.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Entry Cost: Free with paid parking during peak season
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Why families love it: Safe walking paths, wide open space, and classic Maine scenery
Crescent Beach State Park
Cape Elizabeth
Soft sand and gentle scenery ideal for family portraits
Crescent Beach offers a long shoreline framed by dunes and wide sandy spaces that make posing comfortable for families with children.
Hours: Typically 9 AM to sunset in season
Entry Cost: Maine State Park fees apply
Dogs: Not allowed April through September
Why families love it: Clean and open views that photograph well at sunset
Kettle Cove
Cape Elizabeth
A smaller, quieter option for Maine family photos
Kettle Cove has a relaxed atmosphere with rocks, calm waters, and a smaller beach perfect for family photos with young kids or anyone who wants a peaceful backdrop.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Entry Cost: Free
Dogs: Allowed seasonally on leash
Why families love it: A calm atmosphere with easy access to multiple backdrops
Marginal Way
Ogunquit
Scenic walkways with dramatic ocean views
Marginal Way features a paved oceanside path with cliffs, tide pools, and panoramic water views. It is ideal for families who want a more adventurous setting without difficult terrain.
Hours: Open at all times
Entry Cost: Free, parking varies
Dogs: Allowed seasonally
Why families love it: Stunning coastal look with safe walking paths
Downtown Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor
A classic Maine coastal town for family sessions
Bar Harbor provides a mix of waterfront docks, charming streets, and coastal walking paths. Seal Harbor offers a quieter beach alternative nearby.
Hours: Public spaces always accessible
Entry Cost: Free
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Why families love it: Variety of backgrounds including boats, piers, and colorful storefronts
Booth Bay & Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
A lush and colorful setting perfect for family portraits.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offers floral displays, wooded trails, sculptures, and water features. This location is ideal for families who prefer greenery over coastal scenery.
Hours: Typically 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry Cost: Approximately 28 dollars for adults and 12 dollars for children
Dogs: Not permitted except service animals
Why families love it: Bright colors and clean landscapes for natural, timeless family photos
Popham Beach State Park
Phippsburg
A wide beach with natural beauty
Popham Beach is known for large sand flats at low tide and reflective water that produces beautiful portraits.
Hours: Seasonal hours
Entry Cost: Maine State Park fees
Dogs: Allowed with seasonal rules
Why families love it: A huge beach that gives children room to move freely
Pine Point Beach
Scarborough
Clean shoreline and soft natural light
Pine Point is a favorite for family photo sessions because of its clean horizon line and gentle dune grass paths.
Hours: Public beach with seasonal schedules
Entry Cost: Parking varies
Dogs: Seasonal rules apply
Why families love it: Beautiful soft light and easy access for families
Kennebunk and Goose Rocks Beach
A Southern Maine favorite for family sessions
Kennebunk and nearby Goose Rocks Beach offer dune paths, soft sand, and charming seaside neighborhoods.
Hours: Public areas accessible
Entry Cost: Free, parking varies
Dogs: Off season access allowed, restricted in summer
Why families love it: Peaceful, classic New England look and easy walkability
Sebago Lake
Sebago Lake
Raymond, Casco, Standish, Naples
A versatile location for Maine family photos with woodlands, beaches, and lake views
Sebago Lake is one of Maine’s most scenic freshwater locations for family photos. Its clear water, sandy lakefronts, rocky points, and tall pines create a peaceful environment for sessions. Families can choose between public beaches, quiet coves, state park trails, or private lake houses.
Hours: Vary by access point. Sebago Lake State Park typically operates seasonally from 9 AM to sunset
Entry Cost: Free at town-owned access areas. Maine State Park fees apply at Sebago Lake State Park
Dogs: Rules vary by town. At Sebago Lake State Park, dogs are not allowed on the beach during summer
Why families love it: Combination of forest, beach, and lake scenery along with calm water and safe shoreline for children
Your Home or Vacation Home
A meaningful option many families overlook
Homes and vacation properties along the Maine coast, at lakes, or in quiet neighborhoods often create the most personal and authentic images. Children feel comfortable, routines stay normal, and the surroundings naturally tell your family’s story.
Hours: Flexible
Entry Cost: None
Dogs: Allowed at owner discretion
Why families love it: A completely personalized session
