After fifteen years of calling Mystic home, getting a membership at Mystic Seaport was a no-brainer. It's one of those places I never tire of — whether I'm wandering the historic grounds, watching the ships, or just soaking in the atmosphere along the water. Over the past few years I've photographed countless scenes here, and somehow every visit still manages to surprise me with something new to capture. The 2026 season opener (it is opened year-round but full grounds opened on the first day of spring) was no exception. It was the dramatic sky that made me grab my camera and go. A windy welcome back but so worth every visit!
Plan your visit with my local guide to Mystic Seaport Museum.
This sailboat weathervane welcomes me every time I walk into the Seaport.
One of my favorite things about the Seaport is that you can actually see Downtown Mystic from the grounds. It’s great to admire the views without the summer traffic that clogs the drawbridge and beyond. With the dramatic sky, the buildings of downtown practically jumped out against the clouds. It made for some of the most striking views I've had in a while, and a reminder of why this place never gets old.
And there was the Mayflower II. She's been docked at the Seaport this past winter for some touch-up work before heading back to Massachusetts later this spring — and it’s always a treat to see her. She's such a colorful, striking vessel, and against that dramatic sky she looked absolutely incredible.
I also made a point to pop into the shipyard to see if any work was going on. There's something truly admirable about the people here — the dedication it takes to preserve and restore the historical vessels that pass through the Seaport is remarkable. Unfortunately it seemed like I'd caught the lunch hour, because the yard was quiet.
The moment I opened the door, I stopped in my tracks. That smell — fresh cut wood — hit me instantly and transported me somewhere I hadn't been in a long time. Growing up, my grandfather had a wood shop. I'd wander in to visit him, and that warm, familiar scent was always there. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it until that very moment. That alone made the visit worth it.
I couldn't choose just one photo of Sabino so here’s two! She won't be back on the water until around Memorial Day, and right now she's stripped down, benches gone, everything pulled away for her off-season work. It was a little strange to see her so bare, but also a reminder of just how much effort goes into keeping these vessels looking their best year after year. As a photographer, I greatly appreciate that! It’s easy to photograph when those vessels look amazing as they do.
I spotted the row boats belonging to Stonington Crew, and it was bittersweet. For the past few years they've been rowing out of the Seaport while their boathouse has been under construction — and now that construction is nearly complete. It's wonderful news for the club, but there's something quietly sentimental about knowing this chapter at the Seaport is drawing to a close. I've loved seeing them out on the water here. Wishing Stonington Crew all the best as they move into the new boathouse.
Dinghy galore. I rounded a corner and there they were, everywhere I looked. Many of them were mid-repaint, fresh color being laid on in preparation for the season ahead. Navigating through them was its own little adventure, carefully stepping and dodging to avoid brushing up against wet paint. Dinghies are one of my absolute favorite subjects to photograph — the shapes, the colors, the way they sit so simply and yet say so much.
The Dyer Dhows sat quietly near the sailing school, patiently waiting for the season to begin. Before long, those bright and colorful sails will be back out on the Mystic River, dotting the water with life and movement. It's one of those sights that never loses its charm, and I'm already looking forward to capturing it.
Mystic Seaport never runs out of stories to tell. Every corner holds something worth pausing for — that's the magic of this place. The seaport has been part of my life for fifteen years and somehow it still finds new ways to move me. I can't wait to see what the rest of the 2026 season brings!
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