CTE Media Design · Career Exploration Resource · Portland, Maine
Photography Careers in Maine
Coastal & Maritime
Tourism & Hospitality
Nature & Wildlife
News & Media
Arts & Fine Art
Education & Colleges
Commercial & Business
Camps & Recreation
Coastal & Maritime
14 careers
Lobster industry photographer
Documents fishing boats, traps, and working waterfront life for media, tourism, and brands
Rockland, Portland, Stonington
Lighthouse photographer
Shoots Maine's 65+ lighthouses for tourism boards, calendars, and fine art
Portland Head Light, Pemaquid, Nubble
Boat & yacht photographer
Photographs vessels for brokers, builders, and sailing publications
Rockport, Camden, Southwest Harbor
Windjammer & sailing photographer
Documents schooner voyages and sailing events along the Maine coast
Camden, Rockland, Penobscot Bay
Harbor & port photographer
Creates imagery of working ports for magazines, tourism, and fine art
Portland, Bar Harbor, Boothbay
Aquaculture photographer
Documents Maine's oyster, mussel, and sea vegetable farms for science and marketing
Damariscotta, Downeast coast
Sea kayaking & paddling photographer
Shoots guided trips and outfitters along the island-studded coast
Acadia, Penobscot Bay, Bold Coast
Coastal landscape photographer
Fine art and stock photography of Maine's rocky shores, tidal pools, and sea stacks
Acadia, Schoodic, Quoddy Head
Marine wildlife photographer
Photographs seabirds, seals, and whale watch experiences for tour operators
Bar Harbor, Eastport, Isles of Shoals
Underwater photographer
Documents kelp forests, lobster habitat, and diving in Gulf of Maine waters
Acadia, Downeast dive sites
Aerial & drone photographer (coastal)
FAA-licensed drone pilots covering Maine's coves, islands, and coastal development
Statewide coastal regions
Maine fishing heritage documentarian
Long-form documentary photography of Maine's fishing communities and traditions
Stonington, Vinalhaven, Cutler
Sea smoke & weather photographer
Captures Maine's dramatic winter coastal weather for stock and editorial use
Portland, Rockland, Downeast
Island ferry & transport photographer
Documents Maine's ferry system and island life for tourism and advocacy
Casco Bay, Penobscot Bay islands
Tourism & Hospitality
14 careers
Hotel & inn photographer
Shoots Maine's resorts, inns, and B&Bs for websites and booking platforms
Lafayette Hotels, Bar Harbor resorts
Vacation rental photographer
Photographs lakeside cabins and coastal cottages for Airbnb and property managers
Evolve, Vacasa — statewide
Tourism board photographer
Creates imagery for Maine Office of Tourism campaigns and publications
Maine Office of Tourism, Augusta
Content & photography specialist (hospitality)
Travels to hotel properties statewide, shoots and edits photo and video for marketing
Lafayette Hotels (ME & NH properties)
Restaurant & food photographer
Shoots Maine's farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, and seafood for menus and media
Portland, Kennebunkport, Bar Harbor
Ski resort photographer
Documents skiing, snowboarding, and mountain life for resort marketing
Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Shawnee Peak
Leaf-peeping & fall foliage photographer
Seasonal stock and tourism photography of Maine's spectacular fall color
Western lakes, Katahdin region
Agritourism & farm photographer
Shoots pick-your-own farms, farmer's markets, and agricultural events
Statewide — strong in midcoast and western ME
Brewery & distillery photographer
Creates brand and lifestyle imagery for Maine's growing craft beverage industry
Allagash, Shipyard, Maine Craft Distilling
Whale watch tour photographer
Documents whale watching excursions for operators and guests
Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport
Acadia National Park photographer
Guides, stock, fine art, and concessionaire photography within the park
Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island
Travel & destination photographer
Pitches Maine content to national travel magazines and regional publications
Freelance — statewide
Photo tour guide (coastal Maine)
Leads photography tours and workshops at iconic Maine locations for visiting photographers
Coastal Maine Photo Tours and others
Event & festival photographer
Documents Maine festivals including Lobster Festival, Blueberry Festival, and arts events
Rockland, Union, Portland
Nature & Wildlife
13 careers
Moose & wildlife photographer
Guides and documents moose, deer, and predators in northern Maine
Millinocket, Rangeley, Jackman
Bird photographer
Photographs Maine's puffins, eagles, loons, and shorebirds for science and media
Hog Island, Seal Island, Acadia
Audubon camp photographer/instructor
Leads photography programs focused on Maine birds and coastal habitats
Hog Island Audubon Camp, Bremen
Baxter State Park photographer
Documents wilderness trails, Katahdin, and park wildlife
Baxter State Park, Millinocket
Astrophotographer
Shoots dark-sky sites in Maine's unlit northern forests and mountains
Katahdin Woods & Waters, Rangeley
Wildlife photography workshop leader
Runs multi-day workshops for visiting photographers at wildlife-rich locations
Mark Picard Wildlife Photography, NEOC
Conservation photographer
Documents Maine's forests, watersheds, and conservation lands for land trusts
Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Nature Conservancy
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries photographer
Documents fish, wildlife, and habitat for state agency publications
Augusta (MDIFW)
Wildflower & botanical photographer
Photographs Maine's alpine plants, meadows, and rare species for science and art
Acadia, Baxter, Bigelow Preserve
Whitewater & outdoor adventure photographer
Shoots rafting, kayaking, and paddling trips for outfitters
Maine Whitewater (East Vassalboro), Kennebec River
Winter landscape photographer
Documents snowscapes, ice formations, and frozen lakes for stock and tourism
Rangeley, Moosehead, Baxter
Maine Guide photographer
Licensed Maine Guide who integrates photography instruction into wilderness excursions
Statewide licensed guide territory
National park concessionaire photographer
Provides portrait and group photography services within Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor
News & Media
12 careers
News photographer
Staff or freelance shooter covering daily news for Maine papers and TV
Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News
TV news photographer (ENG)
Electronic news gathering — shoots and edits video and photo for broadcast
WCSH (TEGNA/NBC), WGME (Sinclair), Hearst/WMTW
Local news videographer
Produces video news packages for digital and broadcast outlets
Maine Whitewater, TEGNA Portland
Photo editor (print/digital)
Selects and edits images for Maine news publications and websites
Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News
Magazine photographer (regional)
Shoots for Down East, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors, and other ME-based publications
Down East Media, Camden; Rockland
Social media content photographer
Produces photo and short-form video for Maine brands' social channels
Multiple employers statewide
Marketing & communications photographer
In-house photographer for Maine nonprofits, hospitals, and government agencies
MaineHealth, state agencies, Cianbro
Drone operator (licensed FAA)
Aerial imaging for media, construction, mapping, and real estate across the state
University of Maine (Brunswick), freelance statewide
Photo lab assistant
Processes film, prints photos, and assists customers at a full-service photo retailer
Hunt's Photo and Video, South Portland
Camera & video equipment sales consultant
Sells cameras, lenses, and production gear; advises photographers on equipment
Hunt's Photo and Video, South Portland
Freelance photojournalist
Independent contractor shooting for multiple Maine news and digital outlets
Statewide — AP, local papers, online outlets
Podcast & digital content creator (photo niche)
Builds an audience around Maine photography through YouTube, blogs, or podcasts
Remote / self-employed statewide
Arts & Fine Art
13 careers
Gallery photographer & exhibiting artist
Shows and sells fine art photography through Maine galleries and juried shows
Portland, Rockport, Blue Hill, Deer Isle
Museum collections photographer
Digitizes and documents artworks, artifacts, and archives for Maine museums
Portland Museum of Art, Colby, Bowdoin, Bates
Photography gallery director/curator
Programs photographic exhibitions and manages gallery operations
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Portland galleries
Fine art print maker
Produces limited-edition fine art prints for galleries and collectors
Digital ImageWorks (Waterville), freelance studios
Artist-in-residence (photography)
Participates in Maine artist residency programs to develop a body of photographic work
Haystack Mountain School (Deer Isle), Skowhegan
Alternative process photographer
Works with cyanotype, salt prints, and other historic processes in studio or teaching contexts
Maine Media Workshops (Rockport)
Photo book creator
Self-publishes or pitches Maine-themed artist books to publishers and grants
Freelance — Maine Arts Commission support
Documentary photographer
Long-form projects on Maine communities, industries, or landscapes for exhibitions and grants
Statewide; funded by Maine Arts Commission
Arts nonprofit photographer
In-house or contract photographer documenting events and artists for arts organizations
Maine Arts Commission, PMA, CMCA
Street photographer
Documents Portland's vibrant Arts District, Old Port, and changing neighborhoods
Portland, Lewiston, Bangor
Craft fair & artisan photographer
Photographs Maine makers, potters, and weavers for Etsy, galleries, and publications
Maine Craft Association members statewide
Darkroom & analog photography technician
Processes film and prints; supports analog labs at schools or studios
Maine Media Workshops, art schools
Photographic conservator
Restores and preserves historic photograph collections at Maine institutions
Maine Historical Society, Bowdoin, Colby
Education & Colleges
12 careers
Photography instructor (Maine Media Workshops)
Teaches workshops and intensive courses at one of the world's top photo schools
Maine Media Workshops + College, Rockport
College photography professor
Full-time or visiting faculty teaching photography in art or communications departments
Colby, Bates, Bowdoin, UMaine, MECA
Drone photography faculty
Teaches uncrewed aircraft photography and FAA Part 107 certification coursework
University of Maine (Brunswick campus)
High school CTE photography teacher
Leads career and technical education programs in media and design
Maine public high schools statewide
Community college photography instructor
Teaches introductory and applied photography courses
SMCC, KVCC, Eastern Maine CC
Photography workshop instructor (private)
Runs workshops for hobbyists and semi-pros at coastal or wilderness locations
Coastal Maine Photo Tours, Moose Prints Gallery
University staff photographer
In-house photographer for campus news, events, and marketing materials
UMaine, Bowdoin, Colby, USM, Bates
School district photographer
Documents school events, sports, and milestones for a K-12 district
Portland, Bangor, Auburn school districts
Online photography course creator
Produces Maine-themed photography courses for national platforms
Remote / self-employed
Photography mentor / private coach
Guides aspiring photographers with portfolio reviews and one-on-one instruction
Freelance statewide
Museum of Art educator (photography)
Develops and leads photography education programs for museum visitors
Portland Museum of Art, Colby Museum
Photo archivist (academic)
Catalogs and digitizes historical photo collections at Maine colleges and libraries
UMaine Fogler Library, Maine Historical Society
Commercial & Business
16 careers
Outdoor apparel & gear photographer
Shoots lifestyle and product campaigns for Maine's major outdoor brands
L.L.Bean (Freeport), Hannaford, Cuddledown (Yarmouth)
Catalog photographer
High-volume product and lifestyle photography for catalog retailers
Cuddledown, Potpourri Group (Yarmouth)
Photo stylist
Prepares and styles products and scenes for catalog and commercial shoots
Cuddledown studio (Yarmouth); Portland agencies
Real estate photographer
Shoots residential and vacation properties, including aerial and 3D Matterport scans
Archi-Pix, Morneau Studios, Honey Bee Productions (Portland)
Real estate 3D scan specialist
Uses Matterport cameras to create virtual walk-throughs of homes and apartments
CoStar Group, Evolve (statewide)
Automotive photographer
Photographs car inventory for dealership listings and online sales platforms
Lee Auto Malls (Topsham), statewide dealerships
Property & insurance inspector/photographer
Documents property conditions for mortgage lenders and insurance companies
Associated Services Inspections, Doan Group (statewide)
Architectural & interior photographer
Documents new construction and interior design projects for builders and designers
Portland, midcoast, statewide freelance
Construction site documentation photographer
Records project progress for contractors, providing photos via apps like Procore
Cianbro (Pittsfield), statewide contractors
Wedding photographer
Documents weddings at Maine's coastal venues, farms, and historic estates
Statewide — strong demand in summer/fall season
Portrait & family photographer
Serves Maine families with studio and location portraits year-round
Freelance studios statewide
Healthcare & hospital photographer
Documents facilities, staff, and events for Maine's large hospital networks
MaineHealth, Northern Light, Central Maine Medical
Goodwill & retail product photographer
Photographs donated and retail items for e-commerce listings and online sales
Goodwill NNE (statewide Maine locations)
Freelance commercial photographer
Runs an independent photo business serving Maine's small businesses and brands
Self-employed — Portland, Bangor, Lewiston
Photographer, media producer (U.S. Border Patrol)
Produces public service and training content for U.S. Border Patrol operations in Maine
U.S. Border Patrol — Houlton, Calais, Fort Kent sectors
Photographer, content producer (Maine DOT)
Creates content, marketing, and public service material for Maine Department of Transportation
Maine Dept. of Transportation, Augusta
Camps & Recreation
10 careers
Summer camp photographer
Lives on campus and documents all aspects of camp life for families and marketing
Camp Chewonki (Wiscasset), Camp Bishopswood (Hope), Camp Laurel South (Casco)
Camp photography counselor
Teaches photography to campers and helps document camp activities
Camps Kenwood & Evergreen, and others statewide
Outdoor adventure outfitter photographer
Shoots rafting, hiking, and kayak trips for outfitter websites and social media
Maine Whitewater (East Vassalboro), NEOC (Millinocket)
Mountain resort content photographer
Captures skiing, hiking, and mountain conditions daily for resort social media
Sunday River, Sugarloaf — seasonal
Sports & athletics photographer
Covers college and high school athletics for news and institutional use
UMaine Athletics, Bowdoin, Colby, Bates
Race & endurance event photographer
Shoots marathons, triathlons, trail races, and cycling events across Maine
Beach to Beacon, MDI Marathon, LL Bean races
State park & recreation photographer
Creates imagery for Maine State Parks system publications and social media
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands, Augusta
Hunting & fishing guide photographer
Documents guided hunts and fishing trips for outfitters and sporting camps
Statewide sporting camps — Rangeley, Grand Lake Stream
Seasonal photo booth operator
Runs photo booth services at Maine fairs, weddings, and seasonal events
Statewide — strong summer season demand
Nordic ski & snowmobile photographer
Documents winter trail recreation for clubs, tourism, and outfitter marketing
Bethel, Rangeley, Jackman, Greenville