A Unique Engagement Photo Idea: Starry Night Sessions in Maine

Looking for an engagement photo idea that’s truly unique? Imagine capturing your love story under a blanket of stars, with the night sky as your backdrop. As a Southern Maine wedding photographer, I’ve found that starry night engagement sessions are one of the most unforgettable ways to celebrate your love—and create photos you’ll cherish forever.

Why Choose a Starry Night Engagement Session?

Most engagement sessions happen during golden hour or at sunset—but starry night shoots are different. They bring an element of magic and adventure, turning your session into an experience you’ll never forget. Picture holding hands under a sky filled with stars, sharing a quiet moment that feels like it’s just the two of you in the entire universe.

Finding the Perfect Location in Maine (Including the Coast!)

To capture the stars in all their glory, we need a spot with minimal light pollution. While Maine’s coastline is famous for its natural beauty, it can also have extra glow from nearby harbors, lighthouses, and towns—so it’s important to plan strategically.

If you’re dreaming of a coastal starry night session, here are a few tips and ideas:
✨ Popham Beach State Park — This location is known for its wide open beaches and fewer bright lights compared to busier southern beaches. It’s especially beautiful on a clear night.
✨ Reid State Park — With its rugged coastline and darker skies, Reid is a wonderful option for capturing the Milky Way or a starry night over the ocean.
✨ Fortunes Rocks Beach (Biddeford Pool) — It’s a bit more developed, but with careful planning and facing away from nearby houses, you can get incredible skies on a clear night.
✨ Acadia National Park (Schoodic Peninsula) — Though technically coastal, Schoodic is far enough from the Bar Harbor glow to offer darker skies and that quintessential Maine coastline vibe.

In more developed areas like Portland or Ogunquit, it’s trickier because of light from nearby towns and harbors. In those cases, we might travel a little inland or focus on directional shooting (shooting away from the glow) to minimize light pollution.

Timing It Just Right

A starry night shoot requires planning around the moon phase—ideally aiming for a new moon or a thin crescent so the stars are at their brightest. Maine weather can be unpredictable, so flexibility is key. Cloudy skies mean we might have to reschedule.

What to Expect During the Shoot

A starry night engagement session is a bit different from your typical engagement shoot. We’ll bring:
Warm layers—Maine nights can get chilly even in summer
Bug spray—trust me, it’s a lifesaver
A flashlight or headlamp for safe navigation
A cozy blanket for snuggling under the stars

We’ll use long exposures and gentle off-camera lighting to capture both the night sky and your connection—without overpowering the stars.

A Note on Coastal Light Pollution

Even in Maine, coastal areas can have a bit of ambient light from harbors and small towns. But with careful planning—choosing quieter beaches, shooting away from the glow, and using creative angles—we can still capture gorgeous starry skies and that romantic coastal feel.

Bringing It All Together

A starry night engagement shoot is more than just photos—it’s an experience. It’s about celebrating your unique love story in a way that’s as special as you are. If you’re looking for unique engagement photo ideas in Maine, let’s talk! I’d love to help you plan a night you’ll never forget.

Let’s Create Something Magical

If you’re ready to make your engagement photos stand out, let’s capture your love story under the stars. Contact me today to plan your own starry night session. ✨