Summer Family Portraits at Roger Wheeler Beach
Keeping with the theme of my last post, I’m grouping a few family portrait sessions together in one blog! Summer family portraits at Roger Wheeler Beach are some of my favorites to photograph, and for good reason. If the weather cooperates, golden hour here is absolutely beautiful. The beach also offers plenty of variety, from rocky shoreline and tall beach grass to, of course, the ocean itself. It has that classic Rhode Island coastal charm that so many visiting families are hoping to capture during their vacation.
In June, I had the pleasure of photographing three wonderful families here at the beach, including one longtime client who has made quite a few appearances on the blog over the years. If you’re a regular reader, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize them. And if you are a regular reader, thank you…..I truly appreciate you being here.
Sunshine and Laughs with the Pierce Family
Every family has a list of must-have photos, and the Pierces were no exception. We made sure to capture all of the classic groupings, but with three little kids in the mix, there were also plenty of opportunities for the unexpected. Anyone who has ever had family portraits taken with little ones knows they can be delightfully unpredictable!
These three were absolutely well-behaved, but they also gave us some great candid moments we never could have planned. Cue the little “merman on the rock” pose. haha! I am always happy to embrace those unscripted moments that bring personality, laughter, and a little bit of chaos to a session. In my opinion, that’s what transforms a family portrait from simply traditional into something truly meaningful – capturing the moments that are unique to your family. And the Pierces gave me plenty of those.
Denza Family Annual Beach Session
Every time I meet up with the Denzas for their family portraits, it feels like catching up with old friends! I’m not sure they’d say the same (haha), but as a photographer, one of the greatest compliments is having clients come back year after year. I’ve been photographing this family since there was just one grandchild, and now there are five. Watching their family grow over the years has been such a privilege.
As always, the Denzas showed up in perfectly coordinated outfits (they always nail their looks!) and brought the kind of energy that makes a session so much fun it hardly feels like work. The kids love climbing on the rocks, searching for shells, and splashing in the ocean. In between all of that, we sneak in the more classic portraits. That balance of timeless family photos and spontaneous, joy-filled moments is the perfect recipe for a memorable session, and somehow the Denzas make it look effortless every single time. It may just be one of the many reasons I love photographing them!
Beach Fun with the Strawson Family
The very next day, after photographing the Denzas, I had the pleasure of photographing the Strawson family, who, incidentally, are good friends with them! Again, not to sound sappy or repetitive, but it truly is such an honor to be recommended time and time again by longtime clients who enjoy their portrait experience.
The Strawsons were celebrating the matriarch of their family, and to mark the occasion, they chose to have family portraits taken during their vacation. Their session leaned a bit more toward classic, timeless portraits, but I’m always on the lookout for candid, unplanned moments (as you know!), and we managed to capture a few along the way. There’s nothing like a little laughter and silliness to bring out those genuine expressions that make for such joyful photos. And, of course, having the sweetest little one with a big, adorable bow certainly added to the charm!
From playful candid moments to the timeless family portraits that will hang on your walls for years to come, beach sessions have a little bit of everything. If you’re ready to plan your own Rhode Island family portrait session, whether it’s on the beach, or at your favorite local spot, please get in touch!