Extended Family Photos at Goddard Park in East Greenwich, RI

Posted on 10 Days 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

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

Posted on March 4 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

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!

Goddard Park Extended Family Portrait Session – RI Family Photographer

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Melissa Lacouture

There’s something special about an extended family session—multiple generations, lots of laughter, and the perfect mix of chaos and love. This crew met me at Goddard Park in East Greenwich, RI. The kids ran wild (as they should), grandparents soaked in every second, and we captured all the sweet in-between moments that make family time so special. This session was a reminder that the best photos are the ones where everyone is just being themselves.

The backdrop gave us endless options for both classic portraits and candid fun. Extended family sessions like these aren’t just about the photos—they’re about freezing time, even just for a moment, so years from now, everyone can look back and remember the joy of being together.

Extended family portrait session at with photographer at Goddard Park in East Greenwich, RI

Over a decade of Family Sessions in Providence – RI Family Photographer

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Melissa Lacouture

I’ve had the privilege of documenting this family’s story for almost 15 years! When I think about the happiness that being a photographer brings, this family always comes to mind. Every other year or so, we meet in the same spot in Providence. It’s the very location where I did Mom and Dad’s engagement session years ago, and now, it’s the backdrop for their growing family.

This spot isn’t just a location; it’s a character in the story. It’s where the love began! There is something about returning to the same place and recreating so many of the same poses – even some from the engagement session. Over the years, I’ve watched this family grow from two people in love to group filled with movie quotes and lots of laughs.

I feel so honored to have been part of this family’s life for all these years! It’s a reminder of why I do what I do. Thank you to this incredible family for trusting me year after year and for letting me be part of your story. Can’t wait to see you all in September so you can add more photos to the “Melissa wall”!