Erin Little: The photographer’s perfect Maine day and inspirations
Discover how Erin Little blends timeless aesthetics, natural light, and soulful storytelling in her photography and Maine lifestyle.
Photo: Mark McCall
What would be your perfect Maine day?
My perfect Maine day is in the low 70s with no humidity (a dream!) and starts with going for a long morning run from the West End to the Eastern Prom. After that, I’d pack a picnic lunch and head to a park overlooking the water with friends, then off to a nice trail for a walk or a boat ride on Casco Bay. Before dinner, I’d go out to grab a glass of wine with a buddy at Friends and Family, then come back to my little patio to grill dinner and read until bedtime.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Timeless, soulful, authentic.
One book everyone who appreciates art and design should read?
It’s not necessarily about art and design, but it is about the creative process: On Writing by Stephen King, which is a memoir about the craft of writing.
What elements do you look for when you frame a photo?
I look for what I need to tell a story. I want the photo to feel intimate, full of life, and pleasing to the eye—not too much to overwhelm, but not too little to leave someone wanting more. Framing is so natural to me that I rarely need to think about it.
How important is light to you?
It’s everything. Whether natural or made by me, it helps amplify the story I’m trying to tell.
Five things you can’t live without?
Books, espresso, music, nature, art.
Favorite local maker?
I love Jose Gouveia’s pottery and Cat Bates’s jewelry.
One piece of furniture, art, or decor in your space that tells a story?
The first piece of art I invested in hangs in my library. It’s a large abstract portrait of a woman
painted by a Dutch artist named Jan Ter Weele. He used to walk past my apartment every day. We eventually became friends, and he invited me to his studio, where I found the piece and fell in love. He was in his late 80s, and we would go to art openings and lunches, or hang out listening to jazz and talking about everything. He recently passed, and now I have quite a few of his pieces. They make me smile, and I feel grateful for the time I had with him.
Name one artist you admire and why.
François Halard is a constant source of photographic inspiration for me. I love his relaxed approach, his use of light, his subject matter, and the way he lives his life. It would be a dream to assist him on a shoot!