Mike’s Photography has helped make memories for a quarter century

DOVER-FOXCROFT — What started as a hobby has developed into a business preserving special moments forever, for 25 years owner Michael Brown of Mike’s Photography has been capturing images.

“I just took a lot of pictures on the side, family outings and stuff like that,” Brown said. “People told me I should start my own business because they really liked my photos.”

He opened Mike’s Photography in April 2000.

Now Brown says he does a lot of senior pictures for students nearing their completion of high school, traveling around the area to photograph the teenagers in their ideal locations and collaborating with a client to share ideas to help capture the moments they desire.

“Every year I do Grinch photos at Subway,” he said, as those stopping by the restaurant on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft can pose for photos with the Dr. Seuss character as part of the annual Hometown Holidays celebration.

“We do a day for three hours with free photos for all the kids, they get a free photo and gifts from the Grinch,’” Brown said.

Brown still does some wedding photography, but not as much as in the earlier years of his business.

Mike’s Photography can place images on products as keepsakes, such as footballs and soccer balls.

“Every year I donate about 15 footballs,” he said. “At Subway (where Brown works in addition to his job as a loan officer with Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union) I get to know these kids who come in all the time. I donate a football every year with them playing.”  

He thanked Meaghan Holmes of Meaghan L. Holmes Photography for the Foxcroft Academy gridiron action taken across the street from the Subway.

“I have done hockey pucks, I just did two baseballs for Christmas,” Brown said. He has printed images on T-shirts, but said these are not as popular today as in years past.

Brown said he enjoys meeting people.

“I am so used to being in public and I get to know a lot of people,” he said. “I’ve been at Subway for 20 years, I have been at the credit union for 29 years, so I have a lot of exposure.”

Over the last quarter century Brown has seen changes in technology. Today nearly everyone has a camera on their phone to take quality pictures with their devices.

When Brown began the business he would develop his images from film instead of using digital. 

“It took me a long time to change over, but with the times coming everyone else was doing it so I started doing it,” he said about the switch. 

Digital images can be seen right away and it is cheaper, Brown explained.

For more information on Mike’s Photography, please call 207-564-3965 or see Mike’s Photography on Facebook.