about the photographer
Behind the camera
Tricia Schimpf grew up in Hancock, Maine. Her passion for photography began when she was a child, practicing with her mother’s old Nikon film camera. As an adult, she spent over a decade working on commercial lobster boats hailing from various harbors on Mount Desert Island. The only thing more rugged than the Maine coastline are the people who make their living from it. Tricia is no exception.
A perpetual tomboy, Tricia has worked in primarily male-dominated industries over the years, including landscaping, carpentry/construction, and commercial fishing. As her skills and experiences grew, so did her photography hobby and unique Maine portfolio! She trained for several years with Maine State Troopers in assault prevention and civil and self-defense, going on to become an assistant self-defense instructor with Kino Strong Women's Self-Defense Training. She has also spent several years as a veterinary technician, and held various positions in bartending, food service and hospitality.
In April of 2021, Tricia competed in and won her first ever beauty pageant. Along with being crowned Miss Maine for America Strong 2021, she was awarded in the categories of Most Inspirational Woman, Most Photogenic, Evening Gown, and Swimsuit/Fitness. Not bad for a tomboy! From Grundens to glamor, her year as Miss Maine was a whirlwind of dresses, hair and make-up, interviews, events, guest appearances, fundraisers, sponsorships, and training for the stage at the Miss America competition in Las Vegas, while still lobstering offshore full time! Needless to say, by the time her contract was up, she was ready to trade her heels and make-up in for jeans and a cheeseburger.
Tricia recognized a special opportunity with her new and unexpected publicity, and finally launched her photography business, Eye Tide Images, in 2021. Shortly thereafter, she retired from commercial lobster fishing and moved inland to continue to expand her professional training and services. Coming to you now as an FAA licensed drone pilot, Tricia is proud to offer a wide array of family and professional photography services across the state of Maine through Eye Tide Images!
