Westerly RI Family Photographer | Extended Family Beach Portraits for a 90th Birthday

Posted on 5 Hours Ago by Melissa Lacouture

Extended Family Beach Portraits for a 90th Birthday

Celebrating a milestone birthday with the entire family gathered together is something truly special — and this extended family portrait session in Westerly, RI was the perfect way to honor Bob’s 90th birthday.

As a RI family photographer, I love when families choose the beach as the backdrop for meaningful moments like this. The ocean, soft sand, and relaxed coastal setting create timeless portraits that feel both natural and heartfelt.

Extended Family Beach Portraits in Westerly, Rhode Island

This session brought together three generations to celebrate Bob turning 90. His two daughters were there with their families, along with his wife and her daughter and grandson. Altogether, eight grandchildren filled the beach with energy, laughter, and just the right amount of joyful chaos.

Extended family portrait sessions are about more than just getting everyone in one frame. They’re about documenting connection — grandparents with grandkids, siblings together again, cousins laughing in the sand. I always make time for large group portraits, smaller family groupings, and individual grandparent photos so every relationship is captured.

Why Choose a Westerly RI Beach for Family Photos?

Westerly’s coastline is one of our favorite locations for Rhode Island family photography. The soft evening light, open space for large groups, and calming ocean backdrop make it ideal for extended family sessions.

Beach sessions also naturally encourage interaction. Kids can move, cousins can play, and grandparents can relax — which results in portraits that feel genuine and full of life.

Planning an Extended Family Session in Rhode Island

If you’re gathering multiple generations together — whether for a milestone birthday, anniversary, or summer vacation — an extended family portrait session is the perfect way to document it.

As a Westerly RI family photographer, we help guide large groups with ease so the session feels organized but never stressful. From outfit guidance to grouping combinations, we make sure everyone feels comfortable and cared for.

Because moments like a 90th birthday don’t come around twice.

Extended family session on the beach in Westerly, RI

Grandparents and grandkids at extended family session on the beach in Westerly, RI

Real Life Newborn Session at Home | Beautiful Chaos with Three Little Girls

Posted on 21 Days Ago by Melissa Lacouture

There is something special about photographing a newborn session in the comfort of someone’s home… especially when that home is filled with the energy of two older sisters! This sweet family wanted to do a session to welcome their newest baby girl and her two big sisters made sure the photos were full of personality, laughter, and plenty of jumping on the bed.

Newborn sessions with toddler siblings are never easy but that’s exactly what makes them meaningful. Between the giggles, wiggles, and the occasional moments of chaos, we captured the moments that truly tell this family’s story at that very moment. It was real, honest, and full of love.

This session is the perfect reminder that newborn photos don’t need to be perfectly posed or perfectly quiet to be beautiful. Sometimes the magic is in the mess, the laughter, and the real chaos of life with little ones. And honestly…those are always my favorite moments to photograph.

Beach Senior Session in Newport, RI with Best Friends

Posted on February 3 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.