Fun Family Picnic Photos in Augusta Maine

Katie, Colby, and Mila had a family picnic at Viles Arboretum in central Maine on a cloudy summer day. I was there to document the baguette eating, blueberries, reading, and running! I absolutely loved how they brought everything they usually bring for their summer picnics (plus me)! It made the whole session feel natural and fun, allowing me to document real moments of these core memories.

Family picnic on film

Katie and her family entered my family photo giveaway at the beginning of the summer, and we were all overjoyed when they won! Katie grew up with a love of film photography, and it felt extra special to bring that back to her family and photograph them in that way. When we first spoke, Katie mentioned how they have been going on family picnics recently and loving them. We based the session around these picnics, and met up at a beautiful arboretum in Augusta, Maine. They brought along a blanket, basket filled with snacks, paper airplanes, and a book.

That morning started out with downpours and thunderstorms. We made the decision to proceed with the session, crossing our fingers (and checking the radar) that the rain would hold off in the afternoon. We were rewarded! At the end of the session the sun began to poke out from behind the clouds as I used up my last roll of film.

Viles Arboretum family photography

Viles Arboretum is a free botanical garden perfect for families. Prior to our session, I walked along the arboretum trails several times with family myself - enjoying the wildflowers, hosta collection, and apple trees. They have 6 miles of trails for wildlife watching, walking, and learning all year-long. There was even a storybook interpretive trail near the entrance.

When we first arrived, we took a short 3 minute walk to a small clearing nestled between the apple orchard and wildflower field. Katie and Colby threw down the blanket and we spent the next hour picnicing, racing up and down the wildflower fields, and playing ring around the rosie. As our time was drawing to an end (aka, my film was running out and we nearly polished off the blueberries), we walked to a grove of trees close to the parking lot. Hidden behind a small garden we found a grassy field just as the sun starting to shine through the clouds.

Documenting family play

My approach to family photography is to allow the kid(s) to explore and lead the moments. This takes a certain amount of letting go as a photographer, but I cannot imagine photographing families any other way. I much prefer to choose chaos - let the kids run around, dance, spin, curl up when they are tired. It is in these moments I am able to document a families personality and connection.

This session was absolutely no different! The picnic, and some of my game suggestions led Mila and her parents to enjoy themselves, while being themselves.

Photographed on all film - Canon EOS3, Pentax 645, Contax G2 on Portra 400, 800, and Tri-X film