Maine Pet Photography at Birch Point State Park

Sometimes the best photo sessions happen completely unexpectedly.

I first met Hannah and her 8-year-old Dalmatian, Mabel, while walking my dog Bear in Rockland, Maine. I had actually been hoping to meet a Dalmatian for quite some time, so when I spotted them, I immediately introduced myself.

Then I noticed something even more unique.

Mabel is a liver-colored Dalmatian.

Until meeting her, I honestly did not realize Dalmatians could come in anything other than the classic black spots. Her coloring instantly caught my attention, and after talking with Hannah for a few minutes, I offered them a complimentary model session while they were visiting Maine.

I gave Hannah my business card, and she reached out to schedule the session.

We decided to meet at Birch Point State Park in the early afternoon while kids were still in school so the beach would hopefully stay quieter. Since Mabel is naturally shy and can become anxious around too much activity or unfamiliar dogs, we wanted the environment to feel as calm and relaxed as possible.

Thankfully, when we arrived, the beach was peaceful and nearly empty.

Before even taking photos, I spent some time properly introducing myself to Mabel and letting her get comfortable around me. I also happened to have some pretty good treats in my pocket, which definitely helped.

We started the session slowly and naturally. Hannah and Mabel simply walked together along the beach while I photographed moments as they unfolded. There was no pressure or rushing, just letting Mabel move at her own pace and settle into the experience.

The low tide gave us beautiful open shoreline to work with, and the soft sunlight reflecting across the sand made everything feel calm and effortless.

As the session continued, we moved toward the rockier side of the beach where the coastline opened up into an incredible view of the ocean. Maine truly showed off that day.

The rocky shoreline, ocean breeze, and bright afternoon light created the perfect backdrop for documenting Hannah and Mabel together.

Most Dalmatians have round spots, but Mabel has one that looks just like a tiny heart. It was one of those little details that made her even more unforgettable.

And as if her liver coloring and heart-shaped spot weren't charming enough, Mabel also has an adorable underbite, which she seemed more than happy to show off throughout the session. It added so much personality to her expressions and made me smile every time I looked through the images afterward.

Throughout the session, we took plenty of breaks to make sure Mabel stayed comfortable and relaxed. She honestly did amazing.

Later, we walked toward the opposite side of the beach and captured some of my favorite images from the day, especially a few moments where the wind caught Mabel’s ears perfectly

The entire session lasted about 60 minutes without any stress or struggles.

Toward the end, more people and dogs started arriving at the beach, and we decided it was the right time to wrap up before the environment became too overwhelming for Mabel.

For me, that balance is always important. Creating a positive and calm experience for the dog matters far more than pushing for extra photos.

Sessions like this are never just about portraits.

They become memories of a specific season of life, a vacation, a relationship, and the quiet moments people share with the pets they love most.

For Hannah, these images are now part of her memories from Maine with Mabel. And for me, it was such a special experience getting to photograph such a unique and gentle dog against one of the most beautiful coastlines in New England.

If you are visiting Maine with your dog, or simply want relaxed and natural images together, I would love to create a session that feels comfortable, meaningful, and true to your relationship.