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Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025
Maine is a land rich with history and colonial architecture, boasting some of the most dramatic coastline in the Nation. It also happens to be Nathaniel’s home state and as a native ‘Mainer’ he’s intimately familiar with it. Far more than just another tour, this is a premiere photo experience where participants will enjoy Maine in a completely unique way as Nathaniel eagerly shares his knowledge and love for the region. Not only will he show you the best mountain and coastal shooting locations in the state, but also the places that formed his fondest memories. These special interest locations will be interspersed throughout the itinerary, offering you a completely unique and personalized experience of Maine. Between photographing various lighthouses along the coastline, Nathaniel will share his favorite seaside restaurants. If you’d like to try one of our world renowned lobster dinners, you’ll get your chance! Apples will be in season, so a stop at a local orchard to sample the best apple products and cider will be in order. The candy shop that once satisfied Nathaniel’s sweet tooth is still doing a booming business and we’ll be sure to make a stop to sample their endless confections. Our travels will begin in the state’s largest city of Portland. Here we’ll ease into our photographic schedule by doing some sightseeing and learning some interesting history about the state. There are numerous places within the Greater Portland area that Nathaniel is excited to share with you. From there we will move North-West towards Bethel, Maine seeking the very best Fall leaf color in the mountains of Western Maine. Here we will expect to find a sea of color as the Rock Maples will be changing with the season. The region is also known for some spectacular waterfalls that are stunning during the months of Autumn! We will travel across the mid section of central Maine bringing us to the State Capital for one night. The next day we will move along the Maine coastline to the scenic towns of Camden and Rockport, spending time photographing the state’s most iconic harbors. Between destinations we’ll have time to stop and visit major landmarks like the L.L. Bean factory outlet store in Freeport. The itinerary will be left relaxed so that when we encounter brilliant light and foliage we’ll have the freedom to stop and shoot. As we push further along the coast towards Bar Harbor we’ll make a stop at Fort Knox, the tallest bridge observatory in the world! We will spend two nights at nearly every location on the itinerary in order to photograph all the potential subjects at each destination, and give us flexibility with any weather systems we might encounter. Finally we return to Portland to close out the trip. In summary, whenever you aren’t photographing the very best Fall colors Maine has to offer, or capturing one of its many picturesque seaside towns, you’ll be experiencing all the elements that make this state the true gem of New England and the place that Nathaniel proudly calls home. Join him next Fall and experience Maine, the way life should be!
ITINERARY
Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025
* In order to provide participants with the best photographic opportunities the itinerary is subject to change based on weather, lighting and other variables.
DAY 1: October 7th, 2025 – PORTLAND
After your arrival into Portland International Airport you will transfer to your accommodations. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of our hotel. I’ll have a Wicked Good Photo Tours sign on the table to help you locate our group. There we will get to know each other and discuss our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. Overnight in Portland.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 2: October 8th, 2025 – PORTLAND
– Breakfast Provided
We will be up early and in position to greet the rising sun as it comes up over the Atlantic Ocean for our sunrise shoot. After breakfast and coffee we will begin our exploration of the city of Portland and the surrounding area. A private tour of the Portland Observatory is a scheduled stop on our itinerary and from the lookout tower we’ll have a great view of the city of Portland. We’ll also enjoy an educational boat tour that moves through the heart of Casco Bay that’s a wealth of fascinating information about the region’s history and architecture. The famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow made his home in Portland and has a statue dedicated to him here as well as the family home, now converted into a museum. The Greater Portland area is Nathaniel’s home town so he has some very special shooting locations planned for the group while we are here, including a collection of old statues against beautiful Autumn foliage! Today during the afternoon hours we will meet for Nathaniel’s main presentation. Overnight in Portland.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 3: October 9th, 2025 – BETHEL
– Breakfast Provided
Following our morning shoot we will return to check out of our hotel and make the drive through the Maine countryside to the scenic mountains of Western Maine. There will be numerous stops along the way as we will encounter exceptional color and light at every bend in the road. Arriving in the mountains we can expect to find some of the most vibrant Fall colors and breathtaking views around. We’ll spend time photographing a beautiful covered bridge in the afternoon light that’s full of character and charm. This region has a number of spectacular waterfalls and rivers that we will spend ample time photographing during our stay. Overnight in Bethel.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 4: October 10th, 2025 – BETHEL
– Breakfast Provided
Rising early we’ll be hoping for some low mist in the upper elevations for our morning shoot. After breakfast we will meet for our first editing session where Nathaniel will cover his processing workflow and assist you in working with the file’s we’ve captured so far. As the afternoon light begins to glow we will be out to photograph the best light of the day as evening falls over the western Maine mountains. Overnight in Bethel.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 5: October 11th, 2025 – AUGUSTA (State Capital)
– Breakfast Provided
If we were out late photographing stars the night before, we may have a relaxed start on this day. Regardless, our destination following breakfast will be the State Capital of Augusta. We will follow a different rout along the way than the one that led us to Bethel, so have your camera close by as we will be making multiple stops along the way. There are multiple destinations in striking distance from our hotel and following getting checked in we will head out to photograph this area until sunset. A delightful regional park boasts some gorgeous waterfalls and Autumn color that should keep us quite busy! Overnight in Augusta.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 6: October 12th, 2025 – CAMDEN / ROCKPORT
– Breakfast Provided
Following a good night’s sleep we will begin traveling towards the Maine coast with the scenic towns of Camden and Rockport as our destination. Our journey will lead us through some of the most iconic coastal towns in all of Maine. There are numerous lighthouses on our route so you can expect us to end up photographing the crashing surf multiple times over the next few days! Balcony rooms in our hotel look out towards the working harbor and provide a great vantage point to watch the bustling seaside town below. Overnight in Rockland.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 7: October 13th, 2025 – CAMDEN / ROCKPORT
– Breakfast Provided
Following our sunrise shoot we will meet again after breakfast for an optional editing session in a casual arrangement. By this point there will be many different files that you are dying to process! Camden and Rockport are an art lovers dream with a number of thriving boutique shops and art galleries. We will set aside some time to browse a few shops while we are here. After lunch we will make our way down to the bay to photograph the boats in the harbor and life on the docks. The seafood in the area is as fresh as you can get and we’ll be sure to find many dining options to enjoy it during our time in this area. Overnight in Rockland.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 8: October 14th, 2025 – BAR HARBOR
– Breakfast Provided
The following day we will push further north towards Acadia National Park with our destination being the picturesque coastal town of Bar Harbor. If we have time we will plan to stop at the state’s finest organic apple orchard and sample their delicious fare. These orchards can be a great place for photography as well so plan to have your camera in one hand and a glass of cider in the other! We’ll be making a stop at the Fort Knox Observatory on our way north and enjoy the view from the tallest bridge observatory in the world! By this time the region’s Fall color should be popping and we will have a birds eye view from above. Upon arrival into Bar Harbor we will check into our hotel and depart for our sunset shoot at one of the areas many beautiful lighthouses. Overnight in Bar Harbor.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 9: October 15th, 2025 – BAR HARBOR
– Breakfast Provided
Today we will explore one of the Nation’s most beautiful parks as we traverse through Maine’s crown jewel, Acadia National Park. The photographic potential of this place is staggering and our senses will nearly be on overload from all of the incredible sights and color surrounding us. We can expect to return to our hotel after a full day in the field, as the setting sun will keep us out chasing the light on the west-facing side of the island until after dark. We will catch dinner upon our return and then do some street shooting in the downtown area. Overnight in Bar Harbor.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 10: October 16th, 2025 – PORTLAND
– Breakfast Provided
Finally we will make our return to Portland and discover even more photo opportunities in this historic city! If the weather is favorable we may catch the Ferry out to one of the many beautiful islands just of the coast and enjoy lunch at the seaside. Wildlife isn’t the primary focus of our itinerary, but Nathaniel knows some great spots that will allow us to get up close and personal with some of the birds and mammals that make their home in Maine. If we’ve not already found a Moose during our travels, Nathaniel knows just the spot to go that is guaranteed to have one here in this corner of the state… Our Moose subject may be made of chocolate, but it is life sized and just as impressive as one in the wild! Overnight in Portland.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Minimum ☆☆☆ Hotel
DAY 11: October 17th, 2025 – DEPARTURE
– Breakfast Provided
After breakfast you will you will transfer to Portland International Airport with a new group of friends, wonderful experiences and memory cards loaded full of image files to remember it all by. Upon arrival at the airport terminal you will check in for your flight home or continue on to the next destination. Bon Voyage!
CANCELLATION POLICY
Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025
This cancellation policy protects our business losses and as such is strictly adhered to. Exceptions will not be made. We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip. At his discretion, Nathaniel may lead the tour even if it does not meet the minimum number of participants required.
1). Cancel more than one year prior to the original tour start date:
Full refund, minus any initial deposit and all PayPal transaction fees. Refunds will be paid via PayPal and processed within 72 hours of the request being approved.
2). Cancel less than one year prior to the original tour start date:
A refund will only be issued if your vacated spot on the tour is filled by another participant signing up. This refund would exclude your initial deposit, single supplement payments and any PayPal transaction fees.
* Should you fail to complete the payments as scheduled for this tour you will forfeit your deposit, all payments and your spot on this tour.
** You’ll be promptly notified and provided a full refund (including your deposit) should the tour be canceled by Nature Odyssey Worldwide Tours.
TRAVEL PLANNING
Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025
• Participants must arrive in Portland, Maine prior to 6:00pm on October 7th, 2025!
• We strongly encourage participants to purchase travelers insurance through an agency like Global Rescue so that you’ll have coverage should you unexpectedly need to cancel your trip.
• Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. We will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event, beyond our control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, over bookings by the lodge, where a change is required, we will do our best to keep you close to the original shooting location. It is our intention for you to have the best possible experience. We will try to notify you of any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed on to the participant.
PAYMENTS & REGISTRATION
Maine Fall Colors Photo Tour 2025
October 7th, 2025 – October 17th, 2025
SOLD OUT! (Maximum 8 Participants)
5,995 USD – Based On Double Occupancy- $1,500 Non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot
- $1,200 Single Supplement charged to any participant not sharing
* A late fee of $250 may be added to the balance for any payments not received by the due date.
Fill Out Registration Form (Required To Secure Booking)
Fill Out Flight Itinerary Form (Due 60 Days Prior To Tour)
INCLUDED
1. Pick up at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Portland, Maine
2. 11 Day / 10 night Itinerary
3. Accommodations at ☆☆☆ Minimum Hotels
4. Breakfast Daily
5. Water and Snacks
6. All Ground Transportation in Spacious 12 Passenger Van
7. Pro Photographer Mentoring & Guiding by Nathaniel Smalley
8. Multiple Processing and Critique Sessions Throughout Tour
9. Paid Admission for Duck Boat Tour of Portland
10. Paid Admission to Portland Observatory
11. Paid Admission to Fort Knox Observatory
12. All applicable State Park & National Park fees
13. Great Memories & Images
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EXCLUDED
1. Airline Flights
2. Taxi transportation to and from Airport to Embassy Suites
3. Beverages, alcohol, Mid-day and Evening Meals
4. Travel, Equipment or Health Insurance
5. Visas and passport fees (where applicable in preparation for your travel)
6. Items of a personal nature
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WHAT TO BRING
1. Camera with manual mode capability
2. Extra camera batteries & charger
3. Cable release or remote control for your camera (Mirror Up and Exposure Delay will also work)
4. Lens filters of your choice (ND, CPL, GRAD, etc.)
5. Sturdy tripod
6. Warm clothes (down jacket, softshell jacket, polartec jacket, long underwear)
7. Waterproof / Windproof Clothes (GoreTex jacket + pants)
8. Waterproof Hiking Boots
9. Wool and silk socks
10. Gloves
11. Thermos for warm beverages
DIFFICULTY
This is an outdoor nature photography tour so being fit and in good health will allow you to enjoy the trip more comfortably. However, our planned activities should be within the ability of most people in moderate to good shape. Conditions can be cold and wet rocks can sometimes be unstable and slippery, so please pack appropriate clothing for the conditions.
Participants are required to sign a standard medical and waiver of liability form. Every effort is made to keep participants safe during all stages of the tour, but each person is solely responsible for avoiding personal injury or damaging their equipment during the trip.
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TESTIMONIALS
“My wife and I moved from the west coast to do graduate work in the Boston area from 1976 to 1979. We loved many things about New England. One thing that we never forgot were the Autumn colors on the trees in the Fall. When we graduated we moved back west and even spent nearly twenty years in Montana living in the shadow of snow capped mountain peaks, but we never forgot the Fall colors in New England. Fast forward to us being retired… this past summer I suggested to my wife (of 48 years) that we should go back to New England and drive around Maine. The plan was to stay in motels and enjoy the leaves. She got right to work on the internet and found Nathaniel Smalley’s Fall tour of Maine. We quickly took the last two spots and are so glad we chose his tour. Nathaniel is a native of Maine, knows the best places for photography all over the state. He also knows the best restaurants and lodging which is invaluable knowledge! Everything on his trip was so easy. We spent the tour with really fun people. Every stop we enjoyed great food and lodging. We are so glad we did not try to invent this trip on our own! Besides that, over the 48 years of our marriage I have been the picture taker, my sweet wife not so much. Nathaniel’s tour included detailed instructions on photography and specific help taking pictures in the field. He really helped my wife take some great pictures. Nathaniel gave her real attention and instruction along the way. She is naturally more artistic than I am and left with some wonderful images. Everything about this tour was perfect, truly perfect. Thank you Nathaniel!”
~ Dave & Debbie H. | Ohio, USA
“While there are a lot of choices for Fall photography workshops and tours in Maine, I couldn’t imagine finding someone any better than Nathaniel to learn from and appreciate this beautiful state. Having grown up there, he knows the land, ocean, back roads, and weather like no one else. Plus he adds fun stories and showed us the best restaurants for the real taste of Maine. He has the patience of a saint dealing with every level of knowledge in photography, from guiding the new person who doesn’t know how to ask what they don’t know, to encouraging those with more experience, and all the levels in between.”
~ Ann N. | Arizona, USA
“Nathaniel was simply FANTASTIC! The entire Maine photo tour experience was absolutely wonderful. The photoshoot sites, Nathaniel’s knowledge and willingness to answer questions and being approachable with photo issues were all nothing but the very BEST. I can’t wait to take another trip with NOW Tours. I am so glad that I did the Maine photo tour, it was absolutely A+.”
~ Michael Z. | California, USA
“Maine Fall Colors was my second trip with NOW Tours and it did not disappoint. I am considering going back and doing it all again. Nathaniel seems to attract great people to travel with him on his trips. By the time the trip was over, my ribs hurt from all the laughter. Such a fun experience and such breathtakingly gorgeous locations!”
~ Catherine W. | Texas, USA
“I really enjoyed this photo tour to Maine. Being new to photography, I learned a lot about landscape photography from Nathaniel as well as from my fellow travelers. Having never been to Maine, I feel like I have now seen some of the best locations in the state. I will definitely go back again.”
~ Jay H. | Florida, USA
“I recently had the good fortune of joining Nathaniel Smalley on his Maine Harbor and Hills Tour for 2019. Being relatively new to this wonderful journey of photography, the instruction I received, not only one on one in the field, but also in classroom editing lessons along the way was superb. Nathaniel is a gifted instructor; able to manage whatever level of a student you are by offering just what you need, reasoning for why it should be done that way, and it is always explained to you just when you need it the most. His insight and passion is shared with all who study under him. I loved being in a small group which allowed that extra personal direction I so often received.
I also appreciated his flexibility, attention to details, both large and small, which made the trip extremely successful. His itinerary was well planned out from pre-departure, throughout the trip itself, and the continued support offered after it was over is to be commended. Frequent stops were made along the way as he would spot that amazing photo opportunity. The fact that he lived in Maine only increased the joy of the tour as he was able to share his home state with all of us too. Additionally, once you travel anywhere with Nathaniel, you will want to join his classes again and again and again. His energy is never ending, and his passion for photography while helping others learn it is intense. This was truly an incredible experience for which I will be forever grateful. I can’t wait to join him again for another photographic tour!”
~ Lorri O. | California, USA
“Maine Hills and Harbors was my first photo workshop and what a great place to start my photographic journey! The locations, colors and sites were awe inspiring and a joy to photograph. As Nathaniel grew up in Maine, it was an added bonus to witness his love and knowledge of his home state and to explore some special locations “off the beaten track”. As I am a “newbie” photographer, I found Nathaniel’s instructions and guidance beyond helpful. Everything on this tour was first rate, from the itinerary to the accommodations, sites and instruction. Finally, it was a wonderful group of participants and I’m grateful for the laughter-filled 10 days and to have learned so much from such a great group of friends.”
~ Melissa H. | Texas, USA
“I have taken many workshops over the years and have found that maybe one third of the instructors to be excellent teachers. Nathaniel is in that category. He is very patient, has an artist’s eye for composition, and an in depth knowledge of photographic technique. He spares no effort to make his trips as memorable as they could possibly be. Nathaniel’s workshop exceeded my expectations. He is very thorough covering photography concepts, composition, and post processing technique. It truly elevated the impact of my images. I would take another workshop from him in a heartbeat. Thank you Nathaniel!”
~ Aurora O. | Arizona, USA
“Wonders of Alaska 2017 was my first workshop with Nathaniel, but I’m sure it won’t be my last; he was as kind, caring and patient as he appears online. Nathaniel was extremely attentive during the entire workshop, he shared technical and artistic knowledge during shooting, spent time reviewing and editing files in the evenings so that we really learned as we went along, and were able to put the learning into practice while still on the workshop. The weather conditions were difficult at times, but Nathaniel’s experience and attention to his students meant that the group learned how to work around suboptimal lighting and we all went home with great photographs! I love bears and this trip afforded us hours of watching every day, not the usual glimpse here and there that I was used to in Yellowstone, we even got to watch a mom nurse her two cubs! I couldn’t have asked for more.”
~ Jackie H. | Texas, USA
“I just got back from Iceland after attending Nathaniel Smalley’s summer workshop, what an incredible experience! He turned day to night, only shooting after 9pm and out until 4 or 5am, thanks to the midnight sunset and 3am sunrise – what sweet light we had!! We had the added bonus that no one else was there despite hundreds of tourists. We had every kind of weather from bright sun to “you can’t leave the hotel” 50mph wind gusts. However that day turned out to be a gift of extra sleep and editing time. We were rewarded for not whining with glorious weather and light the next day.
The beauty was overwhelming… miles and miles of lupine, a personal favorite, that has been planted to prevent erosion. It turns out the Vikings came and clear cut everything to plant crops – restoration will take decades, but is has begun. There were no trees until we moved farther north and east. Geothermal steam provides the majority of their power and it rises here and there all over the country with large pipes carrying it to where it’s needed. Sheep were very abundant and usually curious enough to stand still for photos. We saw Icelandic horses just outside Keflavik and again out far east – so beautiful! Churches are almost as abundant as the sheep.
We travelled many miles, moving almost every day to see it all. We ate delicious meals – they typically have two kinds of restaurants, gourmet and fast food, so of course we did gourmet and always dessert! I am jet lagged, but less than you would expect with a 7 hour time difference. My theory is that my body never knew what time it was! Of course, I’m exhausted, but still smiling from one of the best photography experiences I have ever had, and I have been blessed with many! Thank you Nathaniel!”
~ Joyce H. | California, USA
“We were so fortunate to attend three of Nathaniel’s workshops this winter in Arizona. His classes are small, instructive and welcoming. We had great instruction and many opportunities to practice learning/honing our skills. Nathaniel offers small classes with lots of personalized, individual instruction. He is knowledgeable, experienced and has incredible patience. More than anything, he is an excellent teacher who helps to bring out the best in all his attendees. Both of us have attended other workshops, but really feel so fortunate that we were able to learn with Nathaniel. We are looking forward to his future workshops. Thank you, Nathaniel, for a wonderful learning experience!”
~Wendy & Marsha F. | Ottawa, Canada
“Best of the West was my first photo workshop and it was wonderful! Nathaniel presented information in an understandable and helpful manner. I learned new things about my camera; how to assess a location before starting to photograph there; and a logical post-processing workflow. Because of his enthusiasm and suggestions, I am inspired to learn more – ie, layers and photo stacking in PS. Nathaniel made sure everyone received the assistance they wanted/needed on location. Also, he spent time on the bus answering questions and helping those that were post-processing. If he didn’t know the answer to something about a person’s specific camera, he immediately got on his phone and found the answer. He is very patient and an excellent instructor. Nathaniel worked well with all levels of photographers. He shared his knowledge and made sure everyone was getting the photos they wanted. The workshop was a great combination of instruction, putting into practice what we learned, and post-processing with Nathaniel always accessible to provide assistance as needed. I’d highly recommend workshops with Nathaniel.”
~Annette A. | Virginia, USA