Boothbay Harbor proved itself to be “the hostess with the mostest” during the recent BikeMaine event, rolling out the red carpet for the scores of bikers who made this their overnight stopover. Most of them were first-time visitors and loved it so much, they’ve promised that they’ll be back.

This past weekend, our scenic beauty was the featured attraction as local Maine photographer Mike Leonard conducted a Photo Walk on Saturday, open to all those who love photography. The photo walk here was part of Scott Kelby’s 7th annual Worldwide Photo Walk, billed as the largest social photography event in the world.

This was Mike’s fifth time leading photography enthusiasts on a walk, with at least two of them also being right here in the region — Squirrel Island and Monhegan. There’s a little bit of amateur photographer in all of us, even if we don’t have a professional grade camera. Part of the skill depends upon your artistic eye.

Ten photographers can be in the same location and come up with 10 different views, depending upon where they stand and where they aim the camera. How many times have you seen spectacular shots of views you see every day, only to ask yourself, “If only I’d chosen that angle, foreground, etc.”

Over the years, we’ve taken hundreds, probably thousands, of shots, and every once in a while, you capture that special photo which makes you feel like you could someday become the next Robert Mitchell — fat chance!

We’re not into digital photography, but we just may give it a whirl in our old age. Certainly it helps even a beginner photographer achieve success. We used to love taking slides because the color was crisp and sharp, and showing slides on a screen brought them right into your living room. In this day and age of computers as well as on-screen television viewing, the same enlargements are possible — a far cry from developing film and looking at your 3x5 or 4x6 photos — which was pretty much the standard practice for most amateur photographers.

Starting on the in-town end of the footbridge, those taking part in the photo walk Saturday concentrated their attention on the East Side of the harbor. Those of us who live here know that there’s plenty of scenery along the harbor’s east side, so photographers weren’t lacking for subject matter.

We already host an annual photography show at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, which provides us with an opportunity to see the works of hundreds of photographers statewide. Many of the shots are scenes from all across Maine, a reminder of just how spectacular our landscape really is.

Last weekend’s photo walk and the fact that its leader has chosen to stay right here at home for some of his walks confirms what artists from all over the world discovered decades ago: It’s a perfect place to put what you see on an easel or in your camera lens frame.

We have everything one could possibly need to attract photographers in big numbers, along with some of the world’s best artists who have chosen to work (and in some instances, live) here — just more good reasons why this should be the destination of choice.

Artists, photographers, boaters, bikers and all those who appreciate the great out of doors, come check us out. Your first visit won’t be your last.