Haley and Alex had been spending a lot of time at Brenton Point State Park in the spring, so when it came time to plan their engagement session, it was an easy choice. They figured it would be even more beautiful in the summer. They were right.

We started at golden hour, which at Brenton Point means warm light, sweeping ocean views, and open green space in every direction. They also brought June, their St. Bernard, who was full of chaotic puppy energy, running around, flopping dramatically in the grass, and generally stealing every shot she was anywhere near. I was obsessed with her.

As the sun went down we packed up and drove the ten minutes to Second Beach in Middletown for twilight. The shift from warm golden park light to cool blue beach light was one of those happy accidents that makes two-location sessions so worth it. Haley and Alex were completely game for anything including wading into the ocean as the evening breeze picked up, which, yes, they absolutely did.

Their chemistry made the whole thing easy. You can feel in the photos how much they genuinely love each other.

Haley’s reaction when she got her sneak peeks: “I’M DEAD! You are literally amazing and I CANNOT thank you enough!!!!”

Haley and Alex, same. I can’t WAIT for your wedding.

If you’re looking for engagement session locations in Rhode Island, Brenton Point plus Second Beach is one of my favorite combinations! Two completely different vibes, one evening. As a Rhode Island engagement photographer I’m down here constantly and I never get tired of it.

For more Rhode Island venue inspiration check out my best Rhode Island wedding venues roundup, and for all of New England my complete guide to New England wedding venues is a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Brenton Point State Park located? Brenton Point State Park is at the southern tip of Aquidneck Island in Newport, Rhode Island…about 10 minutes from downtown Newport. It’s a wide open coastal park with ocean views in every direction, walking paths, and really beautiful light pretty much all day. Golden hour there is something else.

Q: Is Brenton Point State Park good for engagement photos? Really good. The combination of open green space, rocky coastline, and ocean backdrop gives you a ton of variety in one location. Haley and Alex also brought their St. Bernard puppy June, who was the main character of the session. Dog-friendly and highly recommended.

Q: Can you combine Brenton Point with another location? Yes! It pairs perfectly with Second Beach in nearby Middletown, which is exactly what we did. You get the park and ocean views at golden hour and then move to the beach for twilight. Two completely different looks, one session.

Q: Do you photograph engagement sessions in Newport Rhode Island? All the time! Newport and the surrounding areas are some of my favorite places to shoot in New England and I’m down there regularly. I’m Connecticut-based so it’s an easy drive. Let’s talk about your session.