Narragansett Photography
For me, Narragansett photography isn’t just about capturing the coastline. Narragansett is my favorite stretch of coastline on earth, hands down. As a kid, my Mom would take us to the beaches in Narragansett on a regular basis. We would stop at Allies Donuts on the way, and then spend the day at what is today called Roger Wheeler State Beach. In my high school days I spent countless days at Narragansett Town Beach with just about every other teenager in the state. I can smell the Coppertone and Aqua Net even now. Great times, and great memories.
When my wife bought me my first DSLr as an anniversary gift, my very first sunrise was taken at Point Judith. Looking back now, it was a pretty boring picture. But it was a start. We took countless day trips to Narragansett, often stopping at Kinston Pizza or T’s restaurant for a bite to eat. And the mandatory Dunkin coffee that fueled us both.
Narragansett is a photographer’s playground where seascapes trade fierce, rocky drama for quiet, sand-soft sunsets. Rough rocks, soft sand, and the kind of light that writes poems on water is the very definition of Narragansett Photography. From Town Beach and The Towers to Point Judith Lighthouse, Galilee’s fishing village, Scarborough Beach, and the rocks at the end of Hazard Avenue, this town gives you postcard moments and secret micro-worlds to explore. The coastline, beaches, and quiet corners of Narragansett helped inspire my book Through My Eyes, which is available on Amazon. (Yes, I said “favorite on earth.” I stand by it.)
Why Narragansett for Photography?
If you love variety — windy cliffs one hour, calm sandy surf the next — Narragansett has it. The sea wall and the Town Beach are perfect for sweeping surf shots; Hazard Avenue’s jagged rocks are an abstract lover’s dream; Point Judith Lighthouse photography gives you classic New England beacon vibes; and Galilee delivers rustic fishing-village character ready for fine-art prints. Use early morning or golden-hour light for the best results.
Best Spots for Narragansett Photography (and what to shoot there)
Below are some of my go-to photography spots in Rhode Island. Each offers something different — from dramatic cliffs and lighthouses to quiet beaches and hidden trails. There’s far more to explore than one page can cover, so I encourage you to visit the Town of Narragansett website for even more ideas and inspiration.
Narragansett Town Beach – Where Morning Light Meets the Sea
Narragansett Town Beach is one of those rare places where the day seems to begin with a whisper. At sunrise, the horizon glows with soft pastel tones—roses, peaches, and lavender blues melting together over the Atlantic. The air is cool and salty, the kind that wakes every sense but still feels gentle. The surf rolls in with an easy rhythm, brushing the wide, flat sand like a heartbeat—steady, unhurried, familiar. It’s not just a beach; it’s a stage for light, mood, and motion, where photographers and early risers alike find a kind of quiet that hums.
The long, open stretch of sand seems to go on forever, smooth and inviting beneath bare feet. There’s a rhythm in the solitude here—the cry of a gull, the hush of the waves, the first footprints of the morning. Each tide leaves behind delicate lines and mirror-like pools that catch the first light like liquid glass. For photographers, this is magic hour: the kind of light that doesn’t just illuminate—it paints.
As the sun lifts, the colors shift—pale pinks giving way to soft golds that dance across the wet sand. Surfers gather like silhouettes against the shimmer, and the sleepy town slowly stirs to life behind the dunes. It’s a place that never quite loses its calm, even when the day gets busy. At sunrise, Narragansett Town Beach feels like the world exhaling—peaceful, open, and full of possibility.
Point Judith Lighthouse – Sentinel of Stone and Sea
Yes, it’s absolutely true—Point Judith’s jagged shoreline has claimed its share of vessels over the centuries. The rocky shallows and fierce coastal currents have long made this stretch of Rhode Island’s southern coast both haunting and heroic. The Point Judith Lighthouse, standing watch since 1816, was built to guide sailors safely past those treacherous waters—and even now, its beam still cuts through the sea mist with steadfast purpose. The low, mournful call of the foghorn echoes across the surf, a sound that’s as much a part of the landscape as the waves themselves. It’s the kind of place where history lingers in the air, wrapped in salt spray and wind, reminding you that beauty and danger often share the same horizon.
The lighthouse sits within a small Coast Guard station, where service members live and work—modern-day guardians keeping an age-old watch. From their modest quarters, they overlook an ocean that is both breathtaking and unpredictable, the kind that can change moods in minutes. The shoreline below is a wild jumble of black rock and crashing surf, with seaweed clinging to boulders and the scent of salt thick in the air. On calm days, the water shimmers like polished steel; on stormy nights, it roars like an angry god. Standing there, with the wind whipping your hair and the foghorn sounding its slow, sonorous warning, you can’t help but feel the pull of history—the eternal push and pull between sea and shore, man and nature, light and dark.
Hazard Avenue Rocks – Where Time Stands Still
Hazard Avenue is one of those magical places where the land feels ancient—like it’s been holding its breath for a thousand years, waiting for the right light. The rocks along this stretch of coast are enormous, sculpted by centuries of tide and wind into forms that feel both eternal and familiar. Standing there, camera in hand, it’s easy to imagine stepping through time—seeing the same sea, the same sky, the same rugged beauty that’s been here since long before there was a Newport to name it. Every direction holds a new composition: a wave exploding against granite, sunlight spilling across the wet stones, or the pastel blush of dawn stretching over the Atlantic. It’s a place that rewards patience, curiosity, and a willingness to simply be.
I’ve spent countless mornings and evenings walking those rocks, chasing the light and letting the ocean’s rhythm set the pace. At sunrise, the horizon glows soft pink and gold, the tide whispering secrets at your feet. By sunset, the air turns warm and salty, and the world seems to exhale. On a summer evening, you can sit for hours and let the music of the surf wash everything else away. It’s peace in motion—nature’s metronome keeping time with your heartbeat. Hazard Avenue isn’t just a place to photograph; it’s a place to feel alive, grounded, and small in the best possible way.
Camp Cronin – Sunrise to Sunset by the Sea
Tucked away on the tip of Narragansett’s Ocean Road, Camp Cronin offers a rare vantage point where dawn’s first light kisses the horizon and the final amber of sunset lingers long after the sun dips. From the grassy bluff you can gaze east toward the sweeping Atlantic, watch the soft pastel hues peel across the sky, and capture that fleeting moment when sea and sky blur. With each session, I’ve watched the tide’s slow rhythm, heard the gulls call, and felt the breeze carry the salt of the water — it’s a place where your camera almost clicks itself.
On the reverse side, when you turn and face inland or west, the scene transforms: the warm glow of evening washes over calm water and distant land, the sky folding into richer tones, and you find yourself in that still-sweet pause that photographers crave. Here, I’ve guided workshop students time and again to this spot, reminding them that the best shot isn’t always the one you take, but the one you feel. Camp Cronin gives you both — raw, unfiltered nature and the quiet reward of being present.
Black Point – Where Land Meets Wild Sea
Black Point feels like a secret that only the ocean whispers. This rugged stretch of coastline in Narragansett offers winding trails through windswept grass and gnarly old trees that open suddenly to breathtaking views of the sea. Along the way, you’ll find rocky cliffs, tide pools, and weathered stone ledges shaped by centuries of surf — a playground for both photographers and wanderers.
The trails here aren’t just walks; they’re little adventures. Every turn brings something new — a hidden cove, a cluster of wildflowers clinging to rock, the sound of waves echoing through the cracks below. On calm mornings, the light dances across the water like liquid glass. On stormy days, it’s raw and untamed, the kind of drama that makes Narragansett photography come alive.
Here is a couple of other great spots to explore in Narragansett
- The Towers — historic architecture + shoreline drama — a go-to for silhouette and dusk shots.
- Sea Wall (Town Beach Sea Wall) — long lines, reflections at low tide, and moody clouds for seascape drama.
- Galilee / Fishing Village — fishing boats, nets, and salty textures — perfect for narrative seascapes and prints.
- Scarborough Beach — broad sandy foregrounds, great for surfers and long-exposure seascapes.
The Best of Narragansett Photography
Click any image to view full size, read the caption, see print options and put it in your Shopping Cart
Narragansett Seascapes & Sunsets
While you’re soaking in the surf and sand of Narragansett, don’t stop there—Rhode Island has so much more to offer. Wander over to Warwick to discover quiet beaches, hidden coves, and charming harbor views that make every shot feel intimate. Head to Newport for its ever-popular coastline, dramatic cliffs, and historic mansions, where natural beauty meets timeless elegance. And be sure to explore Block Island, where windswept shores, iconic lighthouses, and island vistas transport you to a world of photographic possibilities. Each location offers its own story, perspective, and inspiration, just a click away.
Shooting tips (quick & useful)
- Golden hour & blue hour — the light is reason enough to get up early. Try sunrise at Point Judith or Town Beach.
- Use low tide for exposing tide pools, rock textures, and leading lines. (Tide tables are your friend.)
- Long exposures smooth surf into silk against Hazard Avenue rocks — try 1–5 seconds or use an ND for day long exposures.
- Move slowly: smaller angles and foreground rocks create depth; cliffs and towers give scale.
- Safety first: watch waves on the sea wall and slippery rock edges.
Prints, workshops & commissions
I turn my favorite Narragansett moments into archival Narragansett photo prints and seascape prints—paper and metal options available. If you want a guided shoot or a Narragansett photography workshop, I run small group sessions and one-on-one mentorships on location—tailored to seascape technique, composition, and editing for coastal light.
See the Galleries — From Printer to Wall
Step into the calm. Let your thoughts drift and your eyes wander through scenes of sea and sky, light and stillness. You might just find the piece that speaks to your soul — ready to bring peace, beauty, and a breath of salt air to your walls.
Click an image to explore more print galleries
Landscape Gallery
Wander Through Quiet Horizons
Seascape Gallery
Dive Into the Seascape Pool
Still Life Gallery
Bite Into the Beauty
Icons Life Gallery
Icons & Oddities
Night Gallery
Wander Around in the Dark
Your Journey Awaits
I’ve wandered the shorelines, captured the light, and yes—I drink way too much coffee. Let me help you create your story.