Home > Travel Workshops > Maine Coast: Lighthouses & Dark Skies
Maine Coast: Lighthouses & Dark Skies
Portland · Pemaquid · Acadia
August 10–15, 2026
Six days. Three iconic destinations. Four nights under the darkest skies in New England.
This is not your average photography workshop. Starting in Portland and winding northeast along the Maine coast to Acadia National Park, this small-group experience combines guided astrophotography instruction with one of the most beautiful road trips in the Northeast.
We've mapped the route, reserved the rooms, and scouted every location. Your only job is to show up, bring your camera, and let Maine do the rest.
Table of Contents
What to Expect
Each evening as darkness falls, you'll photograph the Milky Way rising over some of Maine's most iconic lighthouses and landscapes — from the wave-carved granite ledges of Pemaquid Point to the still, reflective waters of Jordan Pond deep inside Acadia National Park.
Days are yours to rest, explore, and absorb the unhurried pace of coastal Maine. Mornings begin with breakfast at our home base, The Bradley Inn — a full-service inn just steps from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse — before we move on to Bar Harbor for the Acadia portion of the trip.
This workshop is designed for beginners and returning students alike. Whether you've never pointed a camera at the night sky or you've joined us before and simply can't stay away, you'll find something to learn, someone to shoot alongside, and memories that outlast any single image.
August 12th falls on a New Moon — meaning near-total darkness and the best possible conditions for Milky Way photography during the entire month. Timing, as they say, is everything.
The workshop begins mid morning Sept 13th, 2026 and concludes the evening of the Sept 18th, 2026
Our exact itinerary will be laid out when optimal weather conditions can be determined.
Conditions can change quickly, so the itinerary below is an example of what may occur..
Why Maine is Magical in August:
Timing is everything in astrophotography — and August on the Maine coast delivers. The Milky Way's galactic core is perfectly positioned in the summer sky, and our dates are anchored to the New Moon on August 12th — near-zero moonlight on our darkest nights at Pemaquid.
Meanwhile, warm evenings, long golden hours, and the unhurried pace of a Maine summer fill the hours between shoots. One more thing: the Perseid meteor shower peaks right around our arrival date. You may find yourself photographing shooting stars on Night 1 without even trying.
We didn't pick August by accident!
Day 1 — Monday, August 10 | Portland - Arrival & Golden Hour (~4p)
Meet your fellow participants and instructors in the heart of Portland's Old Port. After a brief orientation and gear check, we head to Fort Williams Park for our first shoot of the trip — golden hour and blue hour at Portland Head Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. Dinner is on your own in the Old Port, where great food is never more than a short walk away.
Day 2 — Tuesday, August 11 | Portland → Pemaquid Drive North · First Night Under the Stars
A relaxed morning in Portland before we make our way up the coast to New Harbor and check in to The Bradley Inn. The afternoon is yours to settle in, explore the grounds, and take the short walk down to Pemaquid Point to get the lay of the land before dark.
We'll gather for a group dinner at The Bradley Inn at 5:00 PM, then return to Pemaquid Point as the stars emerge for Night Shoot #1. This is your "Astro 101" night — instructors will be by your side from the first frame to the last, walking you through settings, composition, and everything in between. New Moon eve. Near-zero light pollution. This is what we came for.
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Day 3 — Wednesday, August 12 | Pemaquid New Moon · Editing Session · Night Shoot #2
Sleep in. The morning is yours. At noon we reconvene at The Bradley Inn for a 2-hour editing session over lunch — reviewing your images from Night 1, working through Lightroom Classic technique, and getting your shots looking the way you imagined them in the field.
The afternoon is free to explore — Pemaquid Beach, the harbor in New Harbor, or simply a chair on the inn's porch with something cold.
Night Shoot #2 begins at dusk. Tonight is the New Moon — the single darkest night of the month. With two nights of Pemaquid under your belt, you'll shoot with more confidence, more creativity, and a clearer sense of what you're going for.
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Day 4 — Thursday, August 13 | Pemaquid → Bar Harbor The Drive North · Jordan Pond
A final breakfast at The Bradley Inn, then we point the cars northeast. The drive to Bar Harbor along Route 1 takes you through some of the prettiest towns on the Maine coast — Camden, Rockport, Belfast. Take your time.
Check in to the hotel in Bar Harbor mid-afternoon, explore the town, and have dinner on your own before we head into Acadia National Park for Night Shoot #3 at Jordan Pond. The still water creates a mirror-perfect reflection of the Milky Way, rising in the background. A flat, accessible path makes this one of the most approachable — and most stunning — locations of the entire trip.
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Day 5 — Friday, August 14 | Bar Harbor · Acadia Explore · Final Night Shoot at Schoodic Point
A free morning to sleep in, wander Bar Harbor, or join an optional informal editing session at the hotel.
In the late afternoon we make the scenic drive out to the Schoodic Peninsula — the quieter, less-traveled side of Acadia National Park. We'll scout the dramatic open granite at Schoodic Point as the sun goes down, then loop back to Frazer Point for our group BBQ dinner under an open sky.
After dinner, we return to Schoodic Point for Night Shoot #4 — our final night in the field. East-facing over the open Atlantic, with some of the darkest skies of the entire trip. A fitting close to the week.
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Day 6 — Saturday, August 15 | Bar Harbor Sunrise · Farewell
Early risers are invited to join an optional sunrise at Cadillac Mountain — the first place in the United States to see the sun rise for much of the year. Reservations for the summit road are required and sell out fast; details will be shared in your pre-trip materials.
We'll gather one last time for a farewell breakfast at the hotel, share our favorite images from the week, and say our goodbyes. Workshop concludes by 11:00 AM.
The drive back to Boston takes roughly 5–5.5 hours. Saturday southbound traffic is your friend.
Our exact itinerary will be laid out when optimal weather conditions can be determined.
Conditions can change quickly, so the itinerary below exemplifies what can be expected.
What You'll Learn
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+Equipment & Planning
Understand the gear, apps, and techniques that make astrophotography possible. Learn how to read a dark sky map, use PhotoPills or Stellarium to predict Milky Way position, and arrive at each location with a plan.
+Camera Setup for the Night Sky
Master the manual settings that matter most after dark — shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focus. We'll walk you through the setup process on Night 1 and build from there.
+Composition in the Dark
Learn how to use a lighthouse, a rock formation, or a tree line as a foreground element that gives your Milky Way images depth, context, and a sense of place.
+Long Exposure Techniques
Practice extended exposures for nightscape photography — including how to manage light pollution, work with a headlamp without ruining your shot, and make decisions in real time when conditions change.
+Editing Your Astro Images
In a dedicated 2-hour editing session at The Bradley Inn, we'll bring your images to life using Lightroom Classic — working through noise reduction, color grading, and the subtle adjustments that separate a good astro shot from a great one.
+Travel & Storytelling Photography
Between night shoots, we'll explore the craft of travel photography — how to document a place, build a cohesive set of images, and tell the story of a journey rather than just a single moment.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is built for beginners and returning students — no advanced techniques, no intimidating prerequisites, and no pressure to keep up.
To get the most out of the experience, we ask that you arrive with:
+Comfort shooting in manual mode on a DSLR or mirrorless camera
+Familiarity with using a tripod
+Some experience with long exposure or nighttime photography
If you're not quite there yet, we offer virtual and in-person private lessons before the trip — just reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.
Returning BPW students and solo travelers are always welcome. Our groups have a way of feeling like old friends by the end of Night 1.
Tuition & Deposit
Total price is $6,595 with a required deposit of $1,325 to secure a spot. After the initial deposit a remaining balance of $5,270 is due. Remaining balances are due 90 days prior to the program start date. Payment plans are available and allow for payments over several months, at no additional cost. Full details can be seen during the registration process. Refunds, due dates, and cancelation information can be seen in the final section below.
Total Price: $6,595 / Deposit: $1,325
What’s Included:
+5 nights of guided astrophotography instruction across three iconic Maine locations
+ Small group format — limited to 8 participants for personalized attention
+ 5 days of access to 1:1 instruction with your instructors
+ 60-minute pre-trip Zoom session to meet the group, ask questions, and get oriented before you arrive
+ Digital Workshop Guide to help you prepare for the trip
+ 2-hour editing session with lunch
+ Digital Workshop Guide to help prepare for the workshop.
What’s Not Included:
– Transportation to and from Maine
- Accommodations (see lodging information below)
- Travel insurance (recommended).
– Meals outside of the included editing lunch session
–Camera, tripod, laptop, and personal equipment
–Acadia National Park vehicle pass
An initial deposit of $1,325 is required to reserve your spot.
Payment plans are available for the remaining balance of $5,270
Full tuition is due 90 days prior to class start date.
Please the review Cancelations & Refunds policy below for further details.
Arrival airport:
Keflavík International Airport (KEF).
Our Hotels
All hotel reservations are handled by The Boston Photography Workshops.
The group will be staying at several high quality hotels. All hotels have been visited by the BPW and are comfortable, clean and offer private bathrooms with single occupancy.
Double occupancy can be provided at a discounted rate. Please contact the BPW for more information.
Transportation
During the trip, participants will enjoy a spacious mini van. All park entrance fees are included.
We understand that attending our workshops requires advance commitment and that unforeseen events can happen that may require you to cancel a workshop. However, international (outside the United States) workshops typically require more planning and expense and longer periods to fill openings due to cancellations. The following cancellation and refund policies apply for international trips, based on the date that The Boston Photography Workshops receive notice of cancellation. Cancellations must be received in writing (e.g., by email).
151 days or more prior to the workshop start date: A full refund of all registration fees paid, including the deposit is available, minus a $200 administrative fee.
150 to 121 days prior to the program start date: 50% of all registration fees paid are forfeited, including the deposit.
120 to 91 days prior to the program start date: 75% of all registration fees paid are forfeited.
90 days or less prior to the start date of the workshop, no refunds will be issued. Your registration and deposit can be used towards other workshops within 2 years time.
In extreme situations, cancellations can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refunds will be issued as credit for a future classes used within 2 years.
For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
During the trip, the group will visit many locations and be presented with various photo opportunities. Amazing images can be made with almost any camera and lens—as photographers often say: “The best camera is the one that you have with you.” To help narrow down your choices, here are some general gear guidelines we recommended.
Digital SLR, or mirrorless camera
Sturdy tripod
Headlamp
Wide angle lens (~10-20mm f2.8 or wider)
Standard zoom lens (~24-70mm)
Telephoto zoom lens (100-400mm)
Neutral Denisty filters
3-5 camera batteries
3-5 memory cards
Laptop computer with editing software
Heavy weight jacket, sturdy shoes, gloves and a winter hat
After registration, students will receive an informational packet with detailed equipment suggestions. At an additional cost, students may also schedule online meetings with our instructors prior to the trip.
Chris Sanchez: Founder of the BPW, Chris has spent more than 12 years taking photographs around the world for work and fun. A lover of all things food-related and astrophotography, Chris usually has more snacks in his bag than lenses but still manages to get great photos. During the trip, if you need a snack... you know who to ask.
Andrew Dion: A Massachusetts native, Andrew discovered his passion for photography during his extensive visits to numerous National Parks across the United States. His love for the outdoors and nature seamlessly aligned with his interest in landscape photography. His love for coffee and espresso are key players in making sure he gets to those early morning sunrises or late night astrophotography sessions
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Yes of course. We welcome all students and would gladly have you on board. Please note that any visa or passport fees are your responsibility.
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While this photo adventure isn’t designed to be physically demanding, it does involve moderate activity each day. Most days include walking 1–2 miles on uneven ground — think gravel paths, rocky terrain, and the occasional incline. Some locations have no paved walkways, and weather conditions can add an extra layer of challenge.
Participants should feel comfortable carrying their own gear over these short distances and standing for extended periods while shooting.
Please note: Very few locations are wheelchair accessible, and most do not meet contemporary ADA standards. If you have mobility concerns, we’d love to chat with you and help assess whether this trip will be a good fit.
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There are multiple ways to get from the airport to the group hotel, including taxis and buses. The easiest method is purchasing our private shuttle service, which will transfer registered participants from the airport and to the hotel on the first day, as well as vice versa on the last day.”
Flight information MUST be provided in writing no less than 90 days prior to the start of the workshop.
Detailed information including alternative options will be included in the digital packet participants receive after registration.
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During the trip we will be staying at three different hotels. While in Reykjavik the group will enjoy an elegant hotel located in the heart of Reykjavik. While in the north we will stay in a small fishing city with more modest accommodations that are slightly smaller, but still impeccably clean, comfortable, and offer private bathrooms. While in the south we will stay at a premier hotel centrally located in Vik, just minutes away from the black sand beaches.
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Nope! Unlike other photo workshops, the BPW offers single occupancy as our standard booking type. Double occupancy can be made available upon request at an adjusted rate.
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Tuition covers one participant for the workshop. Accompanying persons are welcome but will require full tuition registration
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Although we suggest driving with the group, participants may rent their own vehicle. Please note that students who choose to rent a car are responsible for the respective rates and insurance and park entrance fees. Workshop tuition will not be adjusted.
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A valid and up to date passport is required to enter Iceland. Passports and pertinent travel documents are required at the time of booking. Failure to have required documents will prohibit entry into Iceland and result in failure to participate in the workshop. All required documents are the responsibility of the participants and refunds will not be issued if required documents are not obtained by participants.