Travel website Busbud recently posted an interactive map of the most Instagrammed places in each state on their website, www.busbud.com.
Instagram is a photo sharing app that allows users to post photos from their mobile phone and enhance them with filters.
Go to Instagram and search #OldOrchardBeach, #OceanPark, #oobme, #oceanparkmaine or a related hashtag and you’ll find numerous eye-catching pictures documenting popular hang-outs and the people who visit them.
Paula Swift, a professional photographer from Sudbury, Mass., is one of the many people who have posted photographs of Old Orchard Beach on Instagram.
In the summer, Swift and her family frequently visit Ocean Park, where her husband’s family has been going for generations. Swift said her in-laws own a summer home in Ocean Park and her mother lives in Ocean Park full-time.
Old Orchard Beach evokes a sense of nostalgia for many people, she said. Her husband has many memories of the area from his childhood, and now she and her husband are making memories with their children, whether it be visiting the beach or going downtown to their favorite pizza place and running into an Elvis impersonator.
“It really has so much to offer,” said Swift. “I just think it’s so unique with The Pier and the amusements (near the beach),” she said.
Swift enjoys photographing sunsets and sunrises, and the sunrise over The Pier and reflections in the water make a beautiful image.
“We have so much flat, sandy beach that’s easy to access,” said Old Orchard Beach resident and wedding and portrait photographer Brittany Bugaj, who also posts many scenic pictures of town on Instagram.
Bugaj said one of her favorite spots to take pictures in town is by The Pier, as the area can lend itself to a variety of good pictures, including shots taken under the structure, photos in the shade of The Pier, photos of The Pier itself or the nearby Ferris wheel at sunset.
Portland photographer Jessica Weiser enjoys visiting Old Orchard Beach, and has also posted photos on Instagram.
“Visually there’s a lot of great stuff there that is interesting for photographers: The Pier, amusement park, beautiful beach,” said Weiser in an email. “I love the amusement park area, lots of interesting people watching there and cool colors and textures to photograph.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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