Simple Sophistication

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only

Costa Mesa Cake Smash photographer | Nautical theme

03.30.17

Costa Mesa Cake Smash photographer – 1st birthday

Alex’s mom came through with the outfits for this cake smash session! It’s always great to have options to play with. The tutu was my favorite part. We put together a simple set on white so the pinks and blues would really pop out. We have photographed this family for all 3 of their children (since 2010) and it’s always fun to see how much the girls have grown.

Designing the perfect cake

We love these giant cupcakes that French’s Cupcake Bakery creates for our sessions. French’s has been a local favorite in Costa Mesa since 1976! We send their cake designer the colors and themes, and they create awesomeness! Cake smashes are quickly becoming our most popular session here at the studio (you can tell by our overflowing prop storage area). We love creating cute backgrounds for these babies! All part of being a Costa Mesa cake smash photographer, right?

Keep an eye on the blog for some really cool new sets we have created. We will be showing you an outer space theme and also a race car theme.

Cake Smash for every sibling

Just for fun, I posted both of Alex’s sisters cake smash sessions below. Seven years ago, we just photographed them on paper! Funny to see how things have evolved 🙂

by GilmoreTags: 1 year old, 1st birthday, baby photography studio, baby's first birthday cake, birthday cake, cake smash, costa mesa photographer, Frenchs Cupcake Bakery, nautical birthday cake smash, smashcake

Meet the Gilmores:

Gilmore Studios serves Orange County, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. We specialize in wedding photography, family portraits, newborn and branding photography. Our studio has been in business since 2002.

Fun Facts:

PLace we call home:

Newport Beach & Queen Creek

Number of kids:

3 boys

Years in business:

Since 2002

As seen in:

Cake Smash

Featured On the blog

Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀

And each one gives you a completely different look.

Riparian Preserve
Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones.

Queen Creek Fields
Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves.

Queen Creek Wash
More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel.

Here’s how I help seniors choose:
We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have.

Because location changes EVERYTHING.

Save this for your senior photo inspo later
Which one would you choose?

14 2

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18131346985567054

Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀

And each one gives you a completely different look.

Riparian Preserve
Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones.

Queen Creek Fields
Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves.

Queen Creek Wash
More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel.

Here’s how I help seniors choose:
We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have.

Because location changes EVERYTHING.

Save this for your senior photo inspo later
Which one would you choose?

Senior 📸
Class of 2026
by Gilmore Studios

13 0

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18089049191201069

Senior 📸
Class of 2026
by Gilmore Studios

Do you have a personality portrait hanging in your home? 🤍

It’s not about perfect smiles or matching outfits.

It’s about capturing who your child actually IS right now.

Their expressions.
The way they laugh.
Their personality in this exact season of life.

I started doing these with my own kids and honestly… they’ve become some of my favorite things hanging in our home.

I update them yearly and one day, my plan is to have their future family personality photo hanging on the wall.

These aren’t just photos for now.

They become part of your family story.

Personality Portrait Sessions are available May 12th through June.

Comment PERSONALITY and I’ll send you all the information, available dates, and booking link directly in your DMs.

20 4

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17860730727594771

Do you have a personality portrait hanging in your home? 🤍

It’s not about perfect smiles or matching outfits.

It’s about capturing who your child actually IS right now.

Their expressions.
The way they laugh.
Their personality in this exact season of life.

I started doing these with my own kids and honestly… they’ve become some of my favorite things hanging in our home.

I update them yearly and one day, my plan is to have their future family personality photo hanging on the wall.

These aren’t just photos for now.

They become part of your family story.

Personality Portrait Sessions are available May 12th through June.

Comment PERSONALITY and I’ll send you all the information, available dates, and booking link directly in your DMs.

Prom fashion in 2026 just hits different.

The colors.
The textures.
The dresses with movement.
The perfectly fitted suits.

And somehow every friend group has their own vibe this year.

Honestly? Prom photos have turned into full-on fashion shoots and I’m not mad about it.

Save this for prom inspo later

26 4

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17885787099539665

Prom fashion in 2026 just hits different.

The colors.
The textures.
The dresses with movement.
The perfectly fitted suits.

And somehow every friend group has their own vibe this year.

Honestly? Prom photos have turned into full-on fashion shoots and I’m not mad about it.

Save this for prom inspo later

Unique locations for a senior session.

If you want your photos to feel different… start here.

Museums
Industrial, bold, and full of character. Clean lines and colors.
Aircraft, hangars, and metal textures that create a strong, unique backdrop you won’t get anywhere else.

Disney World / Disneyland
Color, movement, personality.
It turns your session into an experience, not just photos.

Here’s how I approach locations like this:
We don’t just pick something “unique”… we pick something that actually fits you. Your style, your energy, and how you want your photos to feel.

Because the right location doesn’t just look good…
it makes your photos feel like you.

Save this for when you’re planning your senior session 👇
Would you go classic… or something completely different?

12 0

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18111973624870756

Unique locations for a senior session.

If you want your photos to feel different… start here.

Museums
Industrial, bold, and full of character. Clean lines and colors.
Aircraft, hangars, and metal textures that create a strong, unique backdrop you won’t get anywhere else.

Disney World / Disneyland
Color, movement, personality.
It turns your session into an experience, not just photos.

Here’s how I approach locations like this:
We don’t just pick something “unique”… we pick something that actually fits you. Your style, your energy, and how you want your photos to feel.

Because the right location doesn’t just look good…
it makes your photos feel like you.

Save this for when you’re planning your senior session 👇
Would you go classic… or something completely different?

Follow on Instagram

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only