Chasing Dreams:
A Photographic Odyssey
Through Coastal Maine

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 160, F2.8, 1/250 s

As a child, my dreams revolved around globe-trotting and discovering hidden gems off the conventional paths. I would lose myself in the pages of the world Atlas book, memorizing every snippet of information it held. My heart was set on a life brimming with thrilling escapades and awe-inspiring experiences.

In 2018, armed with my mother’s camera, I set out on an unforgettable expedition to Peru. It was during this adventure that my love for travel found a perfect companion in my growing passion for photography. Since that pivotal trip, I have been utterly captivated, and my quest to explore the world has taken me to far-flung places, including the majestic landscapes of Antarctica.

Inspired by the iconic works of Steve McCurry and Harry Gruyaert, my photography centers on travel and documentary themes. My aim is to immortalize the simple yet profound moments of daily life, uncovering the hidden beauty nestled in the mundane.

* The images without photograph data have been created with lenses other than SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary

As a photographer, I’ve always been attracted to Coastal Maine. There is something about its picturesque landscapes and charming coastal towns that I can’t get enough of. Waking up in the morning with the sea fog rolling in as you drink your coffee is so calming and a real treat for photography enthusiasts. 

For this trip, I left with only one camera and one lens: the FUJIFILM XT-4 paired with the new SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens. I knew this lens would be perfect for photographing Coastal Maine’s natural beauty. Its wide angle allowed me to capture the vastness of the scenery, while the F1.4 aperture kept me shooting until nighttime. I often prefer traveling light and only bringing small lenses with me. This allows me to walk around with my camera for hours, while also giving me the advantage of being more subtle when doing street photography.

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 250, F2, 1/400 s

The coastal city of Portland was my first stop. I was immediately attracted to the Old Port district. As I was walking towards it, I spotted a guy skating down the street. The contrast of the old brick buildings and the cool young skater made me want to take his portrait. This is one of the things I love most about street photography; the opportunity to meet new people and get into their universe for a small moment. I used to be shy about asking people for portraits, but after doing it for years, it has become relatively easy. I always approach my subject with a compliment, tell them who I am and what I do and then ask them if I can take their portrait. They will usually say yes. The key is to be honest about your intentions and make them smile a little.

When I arrived at the Old Port around sunset, I was so excited by all the things happening on the wharfs. My goal was to take photos of fishermen at work, but unfortunately, there were none at that time. I continued exploring and found some old cars that really caught my attention.

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 160, F3.2, 1/400 s

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 400, F5, 1/400 s

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 400, F7.1, 1/400 s

The next morning, I drove to Fisherman’s Point in South Portland to photograph these three old fishing shacks. There is something about fishing shacks that makes me want to document them year after year. It must be because of their rustic charm and the wooden facades battered by the sea!

Later that day, I made my way towards Cozy Harbour, a true hidden gem. I had never heard of it, but I decided to trust my gut when I found it on a map while searching for small coastal towns. Upon arrival, I was greeted with sea fog bathing the village in a warm golden yellow glow. A couple of steps away from the harbour, I found a road dotted with charming east-coast American houses and lush greenery, providing beautiful photo opportunities. The result was a series of mesmerizing images that conveyed the poetic romance of this quaint fishing village.

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 160, F2.5, 1/400 s

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 200, F4.5, 1/250 s

SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, FUJIFILM X-T4, ISO 200, F6.4, 1/250 s

In conclusion, I love how the Fujifilm XT-4 and the SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary rendered my images. I was blown away by the quality of the lens while I was editing! The colours were beautiful right out of the camera, and I was able to crop while still retaining so many details. This combo was definitely a very good choice for this trip. I can’t wait to revisit Maine and dive deeper into what it has to offer photographically.