Melissa LaCouture | Rhode Island Portrait & Family Photographer | Rhode Island Portrait and Family Photographer

Beach Senior Session in Newport, RI with Best Friends

Posted on 6 Hours Ago by Melissa Lacouture

There’s something extra special about senior sessions but what about one shared with a best friend? This beach senior session in Newport, RI was the perfect example of that. These two girls have grown up side by side, and celebrating their senior year together made the session feel relaxed, fun, and full of genuine moments.

We spent the evening on the beach taking advantage of the soft ocean light and natural textures of the sand and dunes. Each senior had time for individual portraits in multiple outfits, giving them a variety of looks that felt true to their personalities. From dresses to more casual outfits (including some red striped pants that I’m still obsessed with!), the wardrobe changes helped create a gallery that feels both timeless and uniquely them.

Of course, some of my favorite images came from photographing them together. Laughing and just being themselves, these best friends brought such an easy energy to the session. Sharing a senior session is a great option for friends who want beautiful individual portraits while also documenting an important season of life they’re experiencing together. It also saves you a buck or two!

Girl poses for her senior session on the beach in Newport, RI

Girls poses for her senior session on the beach in Newport, RI

Families Love Our Holiday Mini Sessions (and Keep Coming Back)

Posted on November 22 by Melissa Lacouture

Year after year, our holiday mini sessions bring familiar faces (and plenty of new ones!) back into the studio, and it’s easy to see why. These 20-minute sessions are quick, relaxed, and full of the genuine moments families love—squeezes, giggles, sibling chaos, and all the perfectly imperfect magic that comes with the season. For $200, families receive all their digital images, making it an easy and meaningful tradition to keep. Some have been coming for over a decade, watching their kids grow through these little time capsules of holiday joy. Whether they’ve moved away and return when they can, or they’ve made this part of their annual holiday routine, there’s something special about stepping into our festive space to slow down, smile, and soak in the spirit of the holidays together. Email me anytime for more info or to book your spot!

Golden Hour at Goddard Park | Fall Family Session in East Greenwich, RI

Posted on May 17 by Melissa Lacouture

One of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer is watching a couple’s love story grow—and getting to document each new chapter along the way. I first met this sweet couple when we photographed their wedding, and this fall, I had the absolute joy of capturing them again—this time as a family of three—at beautiful Goddard Park in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Their little one, around 7 months old, was all smiles (and a few adorable giggles!) as we wandered through the golden foliage. Fall in Rhode Island is truly magical, and Goddard Park delivered with its mix of vibrant leaves, tree-lined paths, water views and soft, glowing light.

We kept things relaxed and candid for this session, focusing on connection and natural moments—snuggles and little laughs. It was such a full-circle moment for me to see them again, now stepping into this new season of parenthood with so much joy and tenderness.

If you’re thinking about booking a fall family session in Rhode Island, Goddard Park is one of my favorite spots for its variety of backdrops and peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re a returning wedding client or it’s your first session with me, I love creating relaxed, meaningful images that reflect the real heart of your family.

Scroll through to see a few of my favorite moments from this cozy fall session.

Family Portrait in Goddard Park in East Greenwich

Narragansett, RI Extended Family Beach Session – RI Photographer

Posted on April 23 by Melissa Lacouture

Every summer, this sweet family of five—Mom, Dad, and their three grown sons—packs their bags and heads off to a new beach town for a week of sand, sun, and serious memory-making. This year, Narragansett, Rhode Island got lucky. And so did I, because I got to photograph the whole crew during their trip!

I’m a Rhode Island family photographer who works a lot in Narragansett, so when they reached out for a beach portrait session during their vacation, I was all in. There’s nothing quite like an extended family photo session on the beach.

This year’s trip was extra special because there was a new addition to the family: a baby! About 18 months old and absolutely stealing the show (as babies tend to do). I definitely leaned into my role as the baby paparazzi—he was a natural. But don’t worry, we made sure to capture all the family combos too: the full group, each couple, siblings, parents, and everything in between.

Whether you’re visiting Rhode Island for a vacation or you’re lucky enough to call it home, there’s no better place for family photos than the beaches of Narragansett. If you’re planning a trip and looking for a Narragansett family photographer or someone who specializes in extended family beach portraits in Rhode Island, I’d love to chat. Let’s bottle up your summer memories in photos you’ll treasure for years.

Narragansett Beach Portrait with extended family included near lighthouse

Nothing like recreating an old family pic years later!

Sweet Newborn Session for Baby Brother – RI Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

Posted on March 6 by Melissa Lacouture

There’s nothing sweeter than welcoming a new baby into a family, and this newborn session was extra special because I’ve had the honor of photographing all three siblings as newborns. This time, it was baby brother’s turn, and he was absolutely perfect—sleepy, snuggly, and already so loved. His two big sisters were so gentle with him, holding him close and sneaking in little kisses. Watching this family grow over the years has been such a joy!

Mom and Dad are now officially outnumbered, but they couldn’t be happier! The girls were so proud to introduce their baby brother to me. There’s something so special about capturing these early days—the tiny fingers, the soft newborn curls, and the way the whole family gathers around to soak in the newness. These moments pass so quickly, and I love knowing they’ll have these images to look back on, remembering how it all started with three little ones in their arms.