Block Island Extended Family Photos | Rhode Island Family Photographer

Posted on 2 Days Ago by Melissa Lacouture

Block Island Extended Family Photos

A Meaningful Family Portrait Session in One of Rhode Island’s Most Beautiful Places

I’ve said it a million times and I will keep saying it… there is something extra special about photographing families you have known for years.

I first met this family when I photographed one of the sisters’ weddings with my company, M.Studios. Since then, I have also photographed family sessions for her sister’s family. This time, we were finally able to bring everyone together for an extended family portrait session on Block Island—a place that means so much to them.

Why Block Island is Perfect for Extended Family Photos

Block Island is one of the most beautiful places in Rhode Island for family portraits.

Between the beaches, rolling grass, coastal views, and quiet roads, there are so many opportunities for beautiful backdrops. It is especially perfect for any family that is already on vacation there because everyone is already together, relaxed, and making memories.

For this family, choosing Block Island made perfect sense because it is somewhere they spend so much time together. Photographing families in places that are meaningful to them always makes the images feel even more personal.

Cousins, Chaos, and the Best Kind of Memories

One sister has two boys, while the other has three girls, which meant this session was full of energy in the best way possible.

Extended family sessions are never just about getting everyone looking at the camera. Of course we capture the classic group portraits, grandparents with grandkids, sibling photos, and each family unit on their own. But some of the best images always come from the in-between moments.

The cousins running together, laughing, and just being kids are often the photos families treasure most later on.

Why Extended Family Sessions Matter

One of my favorite things about extended family portraits is that they capture an entire season of life.

Kids grow fast. Families change. And it is rare to have everyone together in one place, especially somewhere as special as Block Island.

This session was not just about getting updated photos. It was about documenting the relationships, the cousins growing up together, and the memories this family has built over the years on the island.

Planning an Extended Family Session on Block Island

If you are thinking about extended family photos on Block Island, it is such an incredible location for portraits.

Block Island is perfect for families who want:

Beach portraits
Coastal scenery
A relaxed vacation feel
Large family group photos
Meaningful Rhode Island memories

The best family sessions are always the ones that feel personal, and for this family, there could not have been a more perfect place.

Extended family session on Block Island, RI

Extended family session on the beach on Block Island, RI

Kids run to the camera at extended family session on the beach on Block Island, RI

Baby photos on the beach at block island in Rhode Island

Family walks on the beach for their photo session on Block Island, RI

Little girl on the beach posing for family photos on block island

Mother and baby posing for beach session on the beach of block island in Rhode Island for phototgrapher

baby sitting on the beach, posing for photographer on block island

Beavertail Senior Photos in Jamestown RI | Rhode Island Senior Portrait Photographer

Posted on 6 Days Ago by Melissa Lacouture

Beavertail Senior Photos in Jamestown, RI

A Beautiful Rhode Island Senior Portrait Session by the Water

Senior portrait sessions are always special, but this one meant even more to me.

I have been photographing this senior since she was a toddler, and over the years I have captured so many milestones for this family—including all of her siblings’ senior portraits. This session was especially emotional because she is the baby and therefore the last senior in the family.

It feels impossible that the little girl I first photographed years ago is now getting ready to graduate.

Why Beavertail is One of the Best Senior Photo Locations in Rhode Island

For her senior session, she knew she wanted a location with both greenery and water, which made Beavertail in Jamestown, RI the perfect choice.

Beavertail State Park offers so much variety for senior portraits. Between the rocky coastline, ocean views, tall grass, and green landscape, it gives us so many different looks without needing to travel to multiple locations. It doesn’t even look like Rhode Island!

Three Outfits, Three Different Looks

She brought three outfits to her senior portrait session, which was perfect for making the most of everything Beavertail has to offer.

One outfit felt casual and relaxed, another was a little dressier, and the third gave us a completely different look. Outfit changes are one of my favorite ways to add variety to a senior gallery because they make it feel like multiple sessions in one.

With the greenery, the rocky shoreline, and the water all around us, every outfit had its own vibe and personality.

Senior Photos That Feel Personal

One of the best things about senior portraits is creating images that actually feel like you!

This session was not just about just taking beautiful photos. It was also about documenting the end of one chapter in life and the beginning of another.

Knowing that I have photographed this family for so many years made this session extra meaningful. Watching families grow over time is one of the greatest parts of what I do, and being trusted to capture one final senior session for this family felt incredibly special.

Planning Senior Pictures at Beavertail in Jamestown, RI

If you are looking for senior picture locations in Rhode Island, Beavertail is one of my favorite spots. It is perfect for seniors who want:

Ocean views
Greenery and nature
Rocky coastline
Multiple looks in one location
Something a little different but with that classic Rhode Island feel

Whether you want something casual, dressy, beachy, or natural, Beavertail gives us so many options for creating a senior gallery that feels completely unique to you.

Senior Portrait Session in Jamestown, RI

Senior Portrait Session in Beavertail Park in Jamestown, RI

Senior Portrait Session on the water at Beavertail in Jamestown, RI

Extended Family Photos at Goddard Park in East Greenwich, RI

Posted on 14 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

Newport RI Family Photographer | Fort Adams Family Portrait Session

Posted on 25 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

Fall Mini Sessions in Roger Williams Park – RI Outdoor Mini Sessions

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Melissa Lacouture

One of my favorite times of the year is here – Mini session season! If you’ve been following me you’ve probably heard me say it a million times but I truly love these sessions. It’s such fun to reconnect with so many familiar faces each year. Some families have been with me since I started 14 years ago! Watching these kids grow up, capturing new milestones, and freezing these moments in time makes my job that much more rewarding.

For those who haven’t done a mini session before they’re essentially a full portrait session but with a time limit. Every time I sit down to edit these photos I think how much of a deal these sessions really are. If you don’t believe me just take a look at this session from last year!

This year I’m offering mini sessions at Roger Williams Park. The park is massive with so many options for gorgeous backdrops. I can’t wait to see my returning families and meet new ones too!

If you’re thinking about booking, don’t wait too long! These mini sessions fill up fast, and I don’t want you to miss out on what could be your new favorite family tradition.