“Capturing the Gardens’ Landscapes” is the theme for the inaugural show by members of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ photography club. The exhibit will be on view until October 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, in the Bosarge Family Education Center’s gallery and is free with gardens admission.

Everyone in the club, which is open to gardens members for a small annual fee, has had 7 a.m. access to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ 250-acre property twice each month throughout the summer season and into the fall. They’ve come out, no matter what the weather, to capture the early-morning light and quiet surroundings. Whether pursuing close-ups or capturing vistas, the photographers created many stunning images. 

Photos submitted for the exhibit were taken with a variety of cameras, from professional models to iPhones. The judges chose one image from each of the photographers based on interpretation of the theme, interest and beauty. They also selected a winning photo and a runner-up.  

Photos from the following club members are on exhibit: Michelle Avicolli, Betsy Bass, Terry Campbell, Noreen Chabot, Peggy Covell, Steve Demeranville, Betsy Found, Susi Hamblen, Paulette Marinari, M. Chris Reese, Doris “Dodie” Wible and Gail Woods.

Five members of the gardens staff, several of whom are professional photographers, administered the sessions and judged the exhibit entries. Amity Beane, the gardens’ curriculum and school resource coordinator, and Director of Education and Staff Botanist Melissa Cullina organized the club and attended sessions; others who participated are Executive Director Bill Cullina, Director of Communications Barbara Freeman, and horticulturist Dick Zieg.

Even though the photography club does not have formal meetings, Beane provided an introduction to the photo-sharing website Flickr as a useful tool for photographers; Beane also set up a group account so the members could share photos. The other staff members offered encouragement, as well as information about cameras, techniques and what’s in bloom. The club will start up again in the spring if gardens members are interested.  

For more information, call 633-4333, ext. 101; visit www.MaineGardens.org; or stop by the gardens, located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay.