Puffins & Coastal Light: Maine’s Bold Coast Photography Workshop
Join my co-host Amy Ames Photography and me at the easternmost point of the U.S. for an unforgettable five-day Puffins and Coastal Light photography experience.
This workshop offers the rare opportunity to photograph Atlantic puffins on Machias Seal Island, one of the few places in the country where you photograph from blinds right in the middle of the nesting colony. We’ve scheduled three separate boat trips to the island, offering multiple opportunities with these charismatic seabirds.
But the puffins aren’t the only star of this show.
We also explore Maine’s Bold Coast—a rugged, wild, and still largely undiscovered stretch of shoreline where spruce-covered crags plunge straight into the sea. This is one of my favorite areas of Maine to photograph and if you’re drawn to dramatic cliffs, star-filled skies, and fishing villages you’ll fall in love with the picturesque Bold Coast, also.
Each day we’ll have opportunities to chase brilliant sunrises, explore misty harbors, and soak in stunning coastal sunsets. And, weather permitting, we’ll even stay up late and capture the Milky Way rising behind one of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses.
Dates July 13-17th 2026. (Dates are not 100% certain until December)
$3750 / $1500 Deposit with remainder due May 1, 2026
Hosts: Amy Ames Photography and L’aura Lee Bradford Photography
(Authorized permittees of the National Park Service)
What’s Included
Three boat trips on the beloved Barbara Frost to Machias Seal Island to photograph puffins (weather dependent)
Four Nights at The Inn on the Wharf in Lubec, Maine (single rooms included)
Daily sunrise and sunset sessions at scenic coastal locations
Night photography guidance, including Milky Way opportunities (weather permitting)
Hands-on instruction in the field and supportive group image reviews
Small group size to ensure personalized attention, mentoring, and an opportunity to create lasting friendships
What’s Not Included
Airfare and transportation to/from Lubec, Maine
Lodging before or after the workshop dates
Dinners - though we’ll enjoy group dinners in town each evening to review the day’s images, share stories, and answer questions in a casual, welcoming atmosphere
Insurance - encouraged to protect against unforeseen situations including cancelations and gear damage
Itinerary
Please note: While we aim to photograph nesting seabirds, sunrises, sunsets, and even the Milky Way, our schedule will remain flexible. Conditions, boat timing, and group energy will guide our daily flow - rest assured, we’ll make the most of every opportunity the coast gives us!
Day 1: Welcome to Lubec
Arrive and check in at The Inn on the Wharf. - We’ll meet at 3:00 PM to get acquainted and review the plan for the days ahead. Then we’ll enjoy dinner together and, weather permitting, head out for a relaxed sunset shoot to kick things off.
Day 2: Puffins + Milky Way Possibility
Our first boat trip to Machias Seal Island! - Depending on conditions and group interest, the day may also include image review to learn from mistakes and prepare for the next day, sunset shooting, or even night photography if skies are clear and the Milky Way is visible over the rugged Bold Coast.
Day 3: Puffins & Golden Light
We’ll board for our second puffin adventure today! - Exact timing will be confirmed the night before. If conditions align, we’ll begin with sunrise photography and spend the rest of the day exploring the area, reviewing images, or relaxing before a possible sunset session.
Day 4: Final Puffin Adventure & Coastal Wrap-Up
Our third and final Machias Seal Island trip gives us one more chance to capture puffins in action. We'll use the rest of the day for additional shooting or image review, closing out the workshop with a farewell sunset if weather and timing allow.
Day 5: Optional Sunrise & Departure
We’ll offer an optional sunrise session for anyone who wants one last coastal moment, followed by goodbyes and check-out.
This workshop is rated moderate in terms of physical activity. Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain, climbing in and out of boats, and crawling or kneeling on rocky coastal areas to get low-angle shots. While hikes are short and paced for photography, a reasonable level of mobility and balance is important for your safety and comfort.
If you have any concerns about physical accessibility, feel free to reach out - we’re happy to discuss your current experience and how it compares.
About Amy and L’aura
Amy Ames is a wildlife, landscape, and adventure photographer based in Pittsboro, North Carolina. With a deep love for remote, rugged environments, she spends much of her time exploring wild places - from snow-covered peaks to coastal shorelines. Known for her ability to capture both the quiet intensity of wildlife and the expansive beauty of natural landscapes, Amy is most at home in cold climates and mountain terrain (always with a Diet Coke in hand). When not traveling or leading workshops, she continues to hone her craft through personal projects and time in the field.
L’aura Bradford is a nature photographer, educator, and Registered Maine Guide with over a decade experience behind the lens. What began as snapshots on backpacking trips evolved into a deep passion for the wild world. She’s photographed some of the most remote corners of the planet - from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle - and now calls Maine home. L’aura spends her days exploring northern Maine’s treasures, from Acadia National Park to Baxter State Park and the bold, rugged coastline in between. She’s equally at home under dark skies, along coastal cliffs, and deep in the quiet forests of the North Maine Woods. When not guiding or teaching, she’s often off scouting the next great location for her photography workshops.
If you have any questions or are ready to reserve your spot, you’re welcome to contact me at Laura@LauraLeeBradfordPhotography.com.
I look forward to hearing from you!
We understand that attending our workshop requires advance commitment, and also that things can happen in life that may force you to cancel from a workshop. Based on the cancellation date, the following apply:
Before final payment has been made: full refund of any payments made minus payment fees.
Once final payment has been made: No refund. However, we will do our best to and fill your spot. If we are able to do so, we will refund your payment minus the bank processing fees.
All refunds will be made by the same method as the original payment.
We reserve the right to cancel, modify, or make changes at any time due to insufficient bookings and/or any other reasons we deem valid and/or reasons beyond my control that might create unsafe or undesirable travel conditions for the participants.
We strongly encourage you to purchase trip insurance to protect yourself in the event of unexpected circumstances preventing you from attending the workshop.
