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!

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.