Wells Maine- Drakes Island Beach Family Session

So, picture this: Drakes Island Beach, sun shining, waves crashing, an adorable family, an old furry friend, and a photographer, armed with a camera. I was ready to capture the awesomeness that is my friend’s cool family of four. This wasn’t just any photoshoot. It was a day filled with laughter, some sand, and a dash of nostalgia as they faced the reality of saying goodbye to their loyal pup. I have never really done pet photography alone, but I knew that he wasn’t just a pet he was apart of their family. It was my incredible honor to be asked to document their final beach day with their furry friend.

Drakes Island Beach – the kind of place that instantly makes you feel at home. This southern Maine location is not far from the iconic Laudholm Farm on the wells reserve, where just a few years earlier I shot their maternity session.  This little beach on the Maine coast is located right next to Wells Beach. It is a small beach with amazing parking area, great light and even public restrooms.   

The sun painted everything in a warm glow, and the salty air set the scene for a laid-back family hangout. Forget stiff poses; we were here to capture family portraits and have so much fun.

In front of my lens were my friends – the laid-back parents, a super energetic boy, a sweet girl with a heart as big as the ocean, and their furry sidekick who’d been through it all. We weren’t just doing a photoshoot; we were documenting a day in the life of our awesome crew.  This candid capture type of photography is my favorite thing.  

As this professional photographer started snapping away, it wasn’t about getting the perfect shot; it was about freezing the hilarity and love that made this family tick. This wasn’t your typical photoshoot; it was a visual diary of the chaos and joy we called life.  During this session I was able to create some of my most beautiful images.  Truly one of my favorite family photography sessions of all time.  

And then there was the pup – the family’s OG member. We couldn’t ignore the fact that their furry friend was nearing the end of the road. It made each wag of the tail a bittersweet reminder of the passing seasons. As each family member gave him hugs and kisses my heart melted more and more.

Behind the scenes, we were grappling with the reality that this was the last beach day for the pup. It was more than just a photoshoot; it was a goodbye in the making. The camera became a way to capture the unspoken moments, the lingering glances, and the shared acknowledgment that sometimes, goodbyes suck.

Despite the heavy feels, love was at the core of every shot. The kids ran wild, the parents shared secret smiles, and the dog, slow but content, soaked in the moment. These weren’t just pictures; they were tangible pieces of love that would outlast the sand between our toes.

As the sun set, casting a warm hue over Drakes Island Beach, I couldn’t help but appreciate the raw beauty of the day. In all my years of experience this will stand out as one of my favorite nights.  These photos weren’t just for the ‘gram. They were tokens of a day when friends hung out, laughed, and faced the inevitable twists of life. Drakes Island Beach wasn’t just the backdrop; it was the canvas where love, laughter, and tough goodbyes collided, leaving us with a pocket full of memories and a heart full of feels.

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