Rose Island Engagement Session

Every once in a while, a session carries a little extra meaning — not just because of the setting, but because of the story tied to it. Hanna and Adam’s Rose Island engagement session was one of those special moments.

Rose Island Lighthouse

Located just off the coast of Newport and Jamestown, Rose Island rests in the heart of Narragansett Bay. From its shoreline, you can see the span of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, sailboats weaving through Newport Harbor, and Goat Island just across the water. It’s close to everything that makes coastal Rhode Island iconic, yet stepping off the boat feels like entering another world.

This session felt especially meaningful to me because my husband and I were married on Rose Island. Hanna and Adam chose it for their engagement photos for its history, character, and sense of escape. But also because they got engaged there a year earlier! The rustic lighthouse, rocky shoreline, rambling roses, and panoramic water views created a backdrop that felt windswept, romantic, and distinctly New England.

An overcast day on Rose Island

On a softly overcast day, we leaned into the island’s nautical features – weathered docks, painted buoys, sweeping bridge views, and the charm of the lighthouse itself. We climbed into the lantern room for a different vantage point. It was fun to get some shots showcasing the lighthouse’s original details. The quiet stillness of the island allowed Hanna and Adam to simply be present with one another. That authenticity came through beautifully in their images.

Sharing a connection to Rose Island added a deeply personal layer to the evening. Photographing a place that holds meaning for me as well made documenting their love story there even more special.

Rose Island engagement sessions offer a rare perspective of Newport and Jamestown from the water expansive yet intimate all at once. For Hanna and Adam, choosing this spot was intentional, and capturing their love here was truly an honor.