In early September I joined about 40 other Aurora photographers for the annual photographers meeting at Sebago Lake, Maine, about half an hour west of Portland. The gathering takes place on the western shores of the lake at Camp O-AT-KA, a boys camp owned by the family of Aurora photo editor Peter Dennen. The meeting is designed to allow contributing photographers and the Aurora staff to get to know one another, as well as to discuss the state of the stock photo industry and the company’s place within it. There were also one-on-one portfolio reviews with editors from PDN, Sports Illustrated, Aurora Select and former National Geographic editor Rich Clarkson, who is pictured after the jump telling one of many entertaining stories to the attendees in the cozy central lodge where most of our official gatherings took place. After the scheduled meetings the group had time to enjoy the lake and socialize over some fine local beer. There’s something about both of the Portlands that makes for great microbrews. There was plenty more too, including great meals prepared by the camp staff (check out that paella!), tug-of-war, soccer, swimming and jumping over campfires. While I didn’t do that, I did make sure to take a few dips in the lake. The water was cold, but refreshing and calm and not so bad once you were in for a minute or so. It was getting out that hurt. Overall it was a great and worthwhile trip and I was glad I got the opportunity to meet the staff and so many fine photographers.
I didn’t really take a lot of pictures there, but here are a few I liked, starting with a fly that landed on a fellow photographer’s head as we were arranging ourselves for the official group picture. This trip kicked off 10 days of travel around the northeast with Erinn, who was at her aunt and uncle’s place up the road at Bar Harbor during the three days I was at the meeting. More photos from the rest of the trip will follow.
