Down East’s deep roster of talented photographers fills our pages with an abundance of beautiful landscapes, interesting people, and much more. Photo editor Tara Rice and staff photographer Dave Waddell took on the unenviable task of selecting just a few of the year’s standouts.
Follow us on Instagram to see more photos and videos from Down East. Want even more great Maine photography delivered to your inbox every other Monday? Sign up below to get our Down East Snapshot bi-weekly newsletter!
Harold Crosby. “76-Year-Old Harold Crosby Hopes You’ll Take a Skate on the Wild Side,” January. Photo by Tara Rice.
Tara’s wild-skating photos from a shoot on the Orange River with Harold Crosby are some of the first that come to mind when thinking of my favorite images from the past year, particularly her timeless portrait of Harold standing on the ice in his bean boots with skate blades secured by leather string. There is so much to love: Harold’s effortless, unintentional GQ style, the warm and welcoming expression on his face, the freshly fallen snow on the trees. But Tara is a talented skater herself, and I think it’s her own lifelong love of skating that communicates across this entire set of photos and really makes them stand out and feel special. — D.W.
Willard Beach fish shacks. “Storm Surge: Scenes from Last Winter’s Devastating Storms,” May. Photo by Jack Bjorn.
Jack’s dramatic image documenting the final moments of the iconic Willard Beach fish shacks after roughly 150 years perched above Simonton Cove is not a happy photo, but it is probably one of the more important images that we published all year. The fish shacks were recognized and beloved by so many — a century and a half of sandy memories were made in their shadow. While violent winter weather has never been uncommon in Maine, the three storms that rocked the coast last winter felt wildly different in their intensity and proximity to each other. The empty rocks that now sit atop Fisherman’s Point, in South Portland, serve as a solemn reminder of an undeniably changing environment and the unrelenting power of the sea. — D.W.
Jeffery Becton. The Art of Being Jeffery Becton, January. Photo by Cig Harvey.
It can be intimidating to photograph another photographer, but Cig’s entire series on Jeffery was a wonderful collaboration between two artists: playful, dramatic, full of movement, and bursting with Cig’s signature color. Jeffery’s closed eyes and open posture are daring and intimate and a testament to Cig’s unique ability to capture and distill someone’s essence with her camera. — T.R.
Hindu restoration crew. “In Thomaston, A Couple Saves a Classic Maine Schooner Just in Time for Its Centennial,” February. Photo by Dave Waddell.
Dave’s interest in what was going on with the Hindu went beyond an assignment, as he visited and revisited the timberframe boat shelter in Thomaston throughout the building process. I love this image for the way it celebrates the teamwork involved in bringing something like the Hindu to life. Their boat shelter became something of an open community space, really epitomizing that old saying “it takes a village.” — T.R.
Carvers Harbor. “Photographer Joel Greenberg’s New Book Is a Love Letter to Vinalhaven,” February. Photo by Joel Greenberg.
It was very hard for me to choose just one photo from Joel’s beautiful large-format documentation of Vinalhaven from the 1970s. The black-and-white images, shot with a 1929 8-by-10 view camera, offer an authentic and intimate glimpse of the island and its residents. I especially love the inclusion of the negative borders on the film scans and the lower-contrast, foggy look of this particular Carver’s Harbor image that, despite being 48 years old, still feels like it could have been taken yesterday. — D.W.
Samantha and Justin Juray. “You Can’t Explain It to Anybody,” October. Photo by Sofia Aldinio.
Sofia covered the tragedy in Lewiston in 2023, in the immediate aftermath, and has since maintained a relationship with the community and the people who run Just In Time Recreation, the bowling alley where eight people were killed in the mass shooting. This image of owners Samantha and Justin Juray has been living in my mind since I first saw it. It is extremely brave to allow someone to witness your sorrow and healing. It requires a vulnerability and a trust that you can only develop over time, and you can see that reflected in Sofia’s images. — T.R.
Peter Rioux. “Clock Doc Peter Rioux Shares What Makes Him Tick,” April. Photo by Michael D. Wilson.
Michael takes a playful and curious approach to every assignment. It is a joy to see him discover the secrets of the tradespeople in this story through his photography. He has a unique way of disarming people who may otherwise be a bit camera shy and bringing out the best of what they do. This quirky portrait really shows that off. — T.R.
Reid State Park. “How to Photograph the Night Sky,” November. Photo by Benjamin Williamson.
Few photos showcase the magic we’re all missing out on after bedtime like Ben’s two-in-one shot of bioluminescent surf beneath the Milky Way at Reid State Park, from our November feature about Maine’s night skies. Two phenomena that most photographers could spend decades chasing individually Ben managed to squeeze into one very rare and beautiful image. — D.W.
Jeremy Frey. “The Modern Master of Wabanaki Basketry,” June. Photo by Jason Paige Smith.
I really wanted to work with Jason for this profile of Jeremy Frey because of his ability to create drama and interest using studio lighting and backdrops. Jeremy’s baskets are intricate and stunning works of art, and I really think the gravity of this portrait complemented his work and allowed it to shine. — T.R.
Jeff Burchstead. “The Wild and Woolly Life of a Maine Sheep Shearer,” March. Photo by Greta Rybus.
Greta’s portrait of Jeff Burchstead kneeling on the floor of a barn clutching an armful of freshly shorn wool is moody and atmospheric. I feel like I can smell this photo, which is usually a sign of a great image. I love the play of textures in the wall, the wool, and the hay and relate greatly to the subtle hint of satisfaction that one feels after a job is complete. — D.W.
Happy New Year from all of us at Down East!
