5 Portland Maine Spots I’m Dying to Shoot Portraits At (And Why)

Portland, Maine, has it all for photos—rugged coastlines, quirky streets, and views that stop you in your tracks. I’ve been chasing light in Portland since I was in college in 2010. As a local photographer, I’m always hunting for the next great spot to capture life’s big moments, and I’ve got five on my radar I can’t wait to tackle. These places are more than pretty—they’re where your portraits come to life with a vibe that’s uniquely Portland. Want in? Here’s why I’m obsessed with these locations and how we can team up to make them the backdrop for something epic.

Photo of Fort Sumner Park at Sunset

Fort Sumner Park On Munjoy Hill

Why I’m Dying to Shoot Here: When I lived in Portland I used to frequent Fort Sumner Park (also known as Standpipe Park). Tucked on Munjoy Hill, Fort Sumner Park has a quiet, elevated above the city vibe with great views of Casco Bay. Over the years I’ve taken photos while taking walks around Munjoy Hill, but I’ve yet to really do a proper portrait shoot here. This park is simple, with some trees, grass, a few benches, and a path, but it offers a great backdrop and setting for portraits.

Vision: This would be an amazing location to take some great Couples or even solo Portraits with the Portland Skyline behind, especially during Sunset for that Golden hour glow over the bay. At this location, it would be great to use the natural light as the sun is setting and maybe incorporate a little off-camera flash to match the exposure of the subjects and the Portland sunset. Portlands Character portrayed not only through the great city skyline below, but also with the foot path that mirrors the Cobblestone street style seen throughout Portland.

Ideal for intimate vibes with a Portland panorama—want to claim this spot with me?

Eastern Promenade

Why I’m Dying to Shoot Here: The Eastern Prom has 68 acres of waterfront goodness—rolling hills, Casco Bay views, and that crisp Maine air that is almost impossible to get enough of. I’ve walked it a ton but haven’t shot here yet, and I’m itching to. Picture a sunrise engagement session with sailboats fading into the mist or a bridal portrait with the ocean stretching out—pure Portland soul waiting to happen. There’s also easily enough space for a family shoot here with room for the kids to run around and play.

Vision: At this spot, I’d chase sunrise light, letting the soft glow spill over the bay and wrap the scene in gold. A long lens to blur the horizon, natural poses along the trail, maybe a silhouette by Fort Allen’s cannons—clean, timeless shots with that coastal kick.

Perfect for couples or brides craving a waterfront vibe with Portland’s heart—want to catch that sunrise glow with me?

Western Promenade

Why I’m Dying to Shoot Here: The Western Prom’s got this quiet elegance—sweeping views of the White Mountains, tree-lined paths, and a chill vibe I’ve spent many evenings watching the sun set here, but I have never done a portrait shoot here. The streets by the Western Prom are also a must shoot to me. The buildings all have so much character as do the sidewalks that line the streets.

Vision: At this spot, I’d shoot for Golden Hour to catch the warm sun rays as the sun sets. A mix of long lens to blur isolate the subject as well as some wider shots that encapsulate the character of the city.

Great for anyone craving a classy Portland view—let’s snag that golden-hour magic together!

Deering Oaks Park

Why I’m Dying to Shoot Here: Deering Oaks is Portland’s heartbeat—55 acres of towering oaks, a duck pond (duck chasing chaos), and a photo worthy foot bridge. Admittedly, I have shot at Deering Oaks a few times in the past. In fact, my first paid portrait shoot was at Deering Oaks Park over a decade ago when I was still living in Portland. I’ve also shot a family portrait here, but it’s been long enough that I think I need to re-explore and re-capture Deering Oaks Park as a backdrop in some new portraits. It’s a park I could visit 1000 times and always find a new spot for a backdrop.

Vision: I’d shoot golden hour, framing portraits on the Arch footbridge with its 8 foot tall Lamps on both sides. Wide shots by the duck pond for scale, then tuck into the high grass as a soft, wild backdrop—surrounding you with oaks for that rich, wooded glow. Warm, earthy frames full of Deering’s soul.

Perfect for families or grads craving Portland’s timeless charm—let’s capture it together!

Brick Buildings (Rooftops) in the Old Port

Old Port

Why I’m Dying to Shoot Here: The Old Port’s got that gritty Portland pulse—cobblestone streets, weathered brick, and pops of color from Wharf Street to the docks. Okay, so I’ve done a few portrait shoots here in the past as well, but it’s been years now since I’ve shot portraits here and I think it’s impossible to make a list of places I want to shoot in Portland without including the Old Port. The Old Port is the perfect vibe for a portrait session. You can capture different moods depending on the time of day for a shoot, but a sunrise shoot really stands out as the sun's rays shine through and around the buildings.

Vision: At dawn, I would capture the city emerging from its slumber, focusing on the first rays of sunlight breaking through buildings, illuminating the streets. The soft glow would bring out the textures of the sidewalks and the quiet anticipation of the day ahead. As the sun sets, the mood shifts dramatically. I envision tight shots in alleyways, where the interplay of shadow and light creates a dramatic scene. The vibrant lights of nightlife begin to flicker on, transforming the streets into a canvas of energy and life. Using off-camera flash, I would add dimension to the cobblestones, creating depth and contrast against the warm hues of the sunset.

Great for love stories or headshots craving cobblestone charm—let’s hit it at dusk!

A nighttime view from across the Portland Harbor

Bonus: This bonus location isn’t really in Portland, but just across Portland Harbor at Bug Light Park in South Portland. This location makes for a killer backdrop, especially at night when the city across the water comes to life and I think it would be awesome to do some portraits here at either sunset or even just after sunset!

Portland, Maine’s calling my name—from the epic above city views at Fort Sumner on Munjoy Hill to the gritty charm of the Old Port—and I’m pumped to shoot some killer portraits at these five spots. Each one’s got a vibe that’s too good to pass up. If you’re up for stepping into the frame at one of these locations, hit me up to book a session. Or message me with your favorite Portland spots that you want to use for a portrait backdrop—I’m always down to scout new ground.

Message me if you want to talk about using these lovely places for your photoshoot!