Extended Family Photos at Goddard Park in East Greenwich, RI

Posted on 4 Hours Ago by Melissa Lacouture

Extended Family Photos at Goddard Park – A Summer Tradition (with Del’s!)

Extended family sessions always hold a little extra meaning—but this one felt like a true summer tradition.

Every year, this family reunites in Rhode Island, with one sibling traveling all the way from California to spend time together. When families make that kind of effort to be in the same place, you have to do a portrait session to keep the memories alive!

Why Goddard Park is Perfect for Extended Family Photos

Goddard Park in Warwick, RI is one of our favorite locations for large family portrait sessions—and for good reason.

With wide open fields, waterfront views, and plenty of space to move around, it gives us the flexibility to capture:

Large group portraits
Individual family units
Candid moments between generations

It’s especially ideal for extended families because everything is close together, which makes the session feel relaxed instead of rushed.

Planning Around a Rhode Island Favorite: Del’s Lemonade

One of the most fun parts of this session? Planning it around a true Rhode Island staple—Del’s Lemonade. You have to stop at the sign of the lemon! Rhode Islanders feel me on this one.

We intentionally timed everything so that the Del’s truck would still be there when we wrapped up. It gave everyone something to look forward to, especially the kids, and created such a fun, celebratory ending to the session.

And yes… they even got me one (which immediately earns bonus points in my book).

Candid Moments (and Some of My Favorite Photos)

Once the session wrapped and everyone had a Del’s in hand, the energy completely shifted—in the best way.

Those post-session moments turned into some of my favorite images:

Kids laughing with sticky hands and big smiles
Families relaxing together after photos
A few iconic shots right in front of the Del’s truck

It was spontaneous, it was personal, and it felt so Rhode Island summer.

Creating Meaningful Family Photo Traditions

What I love most about extended family sessions like this is how they go beyond just “getting photos done.”

They become part of a bigger tradition.

Whether it’s:

Traveling across the country to be together
Returning to the same location each year
Or ending the night with Del’s Lemonade

These are the moments that make your photos feel personal and timeless.

Planning Your Own Extended Family Session in Rhode Island

If you’re thinking about scheduling extended family photos in Rhode Island, Goddard Park is an incredible option—especially during the summer months.

And if you can build in something fun at the end (ice cream, Del’s, a beach walk), even better. Those are the moments that often turn into your favorite memories—and your favorite photos.

Kids on the foot bridge at Goddard Park in East Greenwich during their extended family photo session

Kids and Grandparents on the foot bridge at Goddard Park in East Greenwich during their extended family photo session

Kids in front of Del's at Goddard Park in East Greenwich during their extended family photo session

Newport RI Family Photographer | Fort Adams Family Portrait Session

Posted on 11 Days Ago by Melissa Lacouture

Fort Adams Family Portrait Session

Some family sessions feel especially meaningful and this one at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island was definitely one of them.

As a Newport RI family photographer, one of the greatest privileges of this work is getting to watch families grow over the years. I first started photographing this family when the kids were just four years old, and since then I’ve had the honor of capturing so many milestones along the way, including each of their senior portraits. Seeing them again now again always feels like a full-circle moment.

Family Photos at Fort Adams in Newport

This session took place inside Fort Adams, one of Newport’s most unique and historic locations for portraits. The family had arranged a short window of time for us to photograph inside the fort, which made the session feel a little fast-paced but sometimes those quick sessions create the most natural moments.

The textured stone walls, dramatic archways, and historic architecture inside Fort Adams create a completely different backdrop from the typical beach setting that Newport is known for. The mix of light, shadow, and old stone adds depth and character that works beautifully for family portraits, especially with older kids and teens.

Photographing Families Through the Years

One of the most rewarding parts of being a family photographer is building relationships that last for years. I’ve photographed this family through so many different seasons of life — from childhood sessions to senior portraits — and it’s always special when they come back for another round of family photos.

When I first met them, the kids were small and full of playful energy. Now they’re young adults with their own personalities, interests, and plans for the future. Being able to document that growth is something I never take for granted.

A Family I’ve Photographed for Years

Even though we didn’t have a lot of time for this session, it was more than enough to capture what matters most — the connection between them.

Photographing families over many years is one of the things I love most about this job. Watching kids grow from elementary school to high school and college is pretty incredible, and it’s always an honor when families continue to trust me to document those chapters.

Sessions like this are a reminder that family photos aren’t just about one moment in time — they’re about preserving the story as it unfolds.

Family session inside Fort Adams in Newport, RI

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

Posted on 21 Days 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 February 10 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!