Sandy Point Beach - Portsmouth, RI

Sandy Point is one of my favorite Newport-area locations for families, couples, and maternity sessions. This spot offers a beautiful mix of sandy shoreline, coastal grasses, water views, and pockets of greenery—giving you a variety of backdrops all in one location while still capturing those classic Rhode Island beach vibes.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, maternity etc

✓ Wide-open space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Beach, grasses, trees, and water views in one location

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Natural shade available from tree coverage allowing for earlier shoot time.

✓ Permit required: No

Goat Island Light House - Newport, RI

Goat Island Lighthouse offers some of the most iconic Newport views, combining coastal scenery, pell bridge, sailboats, and the lighthouse itself. The open grassy areas provide plenty of room for families to move around while creating a classic New England backdrop that feels uniquely Newport.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, maternity etc

✓ Wide-open space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Newport harbor, lighthouse, and waterfront views

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Fairly open location, but shade is available near the lighthouse and surrounding trees allowing for earlier shoot time

✓ Permit required: No

Fort Adams State Park - Newport, RI

Fort Adams State Park is a versatile Newport location that combines waterfront views, historic architecture, open fields, and coastal scenery. With plenty of room to explore and a variety of backdrops within a short walking distance, it's a great choice for families, couples, and maternity sessions.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Historic fort, waterfront views, stone architecture, and open fields

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Fairly open location, but shade is available near the fort for earlier session times

✓ Permit required: No

Naval War College Lawn - Middletown, RI

The Pell Bridge and Naval War College lawn feature iconic Newport Bridge views, wide open waterfront lawns, and classic coastal scenery—making it a stunning backdrop for golden hour portraits, elopements, and family sessions.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Iconic Pell Bridge views, waterfront scenery, rocky shoreline, and open grassy areas

✓ Photographs beautifully 1 hour before sunset

✓ Primarily an open waterfront location with no shaded areas nearby

✓ Pergola on-site provides a stunning backdrop for proposals, elopements and small ceremonies

✓ Permit required: Base Access Required

Second Beach - Middletown, RI

Second Beach in Newport, RI offers a beautiful stretch of soft sand and classic Rhode Island coastal scenery. With its wide shoreline and natural surroundings, it’s a favorite for relaxed, light-filled sessions that feel timeless and effortless.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open beach space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Photographs beautifully 1 hour before sunset

✓ Open beachfront with little to no natural shade nearby

✓ Permit not required, but $20 parking fee applies

RI State House - Providence, RI

The Rhode Island State House is a stunning and elegant location featuring grand white marble architecture, sweeping staircases, and beautifully manicured grounds. Its clean, classic backdrop pairs effortlessly with any outfit style, making it especially popular for couples, engagements, proposals, and intimate elopements.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for couples, engagements, proposals, and elopements

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Stunning white marble architecture that complements any outfit color

✓ Classic, timeless backdrop with formal architectural details

✓ Permit: None

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge - Middletown, RI

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (Second Beach area) offers peaceful coastal walking paths, sandy shoreline, and sweeping natural views. With its quiet, untouched feel, it’s an ideal spot for relaxed, organic sessions surrounded by classic Rhode Island coastal scenery.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open beach space for kids to safely explore and play — tick spray recommended

✓ Photographs beautifully 1 hour before sunset

✓ Quiet, natural coastal setting with scenic walking paths and minimal development

✓ Permit: None

Black Point Ruins - Narragansett, RI

Black Point Ruins offers a unique blend of coastal scenery and historic stone remnants set along the shoreline. The weathered stone walls and ocean views create a dramatic, timeless backdrop that feels both romantic and slightly adventurous, perfect for storytelling-style sessions.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open beach space for kids to safely explore and play

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Historic stone ruins paired with rocky coastline and ocean views

✓ Permit: None

RI Sand Dunes - Greenwich, RI

RI Sand Dunes in Greenwich, RI is one of the most unique locations in the state, offering a soft desert-like feel without leaving Rhode Island. With rolling dunes, long beach grasses, and glowing sunset light, it creates a warm, dreamy backdrop that feels completely different from traditional coastal locations. A nearby pond also adds an additional scenic option for more variety in galleries.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Wide-open space for kids to safely explore and play — tick spray recommended

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Rolling dunes, long grasses, and a nearby pond for added variety

✓ Permit: None

Spruce Acres - Portsmouth, RI

Spruce Acres offers a natural, textured landscape filled with brush, winding paths, and spruce trees that bring beautiful depth and color—especially during the quieter New England seasons. The mix of open paths and wooded elements creates a relaxed, organic setting that photographs beautifully year-round.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Open natural space with walking paths for kids to explore — stickers in tall grass, so staying on paths is recommended

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Textured brush, spruce trees, and natural woodland paths for visual interest

✓ Permit: None

Pardon Grey Preserves - Tiverton, RI

One of my new favorite locations. The long grasses add a fun texture and softness to images. Trees also offer coverage for earlier shoot times needed for early bed times.

Location Highlights

✓ Great for families with young children, couples, and maternity sessions

✓ Open natural space with walking paths for kids to explore

✓ Photographs beautifully 1–2 hours before sunset

✓ Textured brush, spruce trees, and natural woodland paths for visual interest - tick spray recommended

✓ Permit: None