Simple Sophistication
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only
Gilmore Studios was established in 2002 in Newport Beach, CA. What began as a wedding photography studio naturally grew into something more as those same couples started families. Today, I specialize in photographing people through every stage of life. From weddings and events to newborns, children, and families. I love documenting the milestones and in-between moments that matter most. After more than two decades behind the camera, my focus remains the same...creating meaningful, timeless images that families will treasure for years to come.
We are located in TWO locations. A residential neighborhood in Newport Beach, CA and the border of Queen Creek and Gilbert, AZ. Our small Newport Beach studio is part of a 1/2 acre garden. We get the benefit of having studio space as well as an outdoor garden to photograph our clients.
Brian and Jennifer met in 1998 and were married five years later in 2003. They built their life together in Newport Beach, where they raised their three boys.
Jennifer is the owner/photographer behind Gilmore Studios. Since 2002, she has built the studio with a focus on meaningful portraits and an experience that feels organized, calm, and personal.
Jennifer has always had a passion for photography. After earning her degree in psychology, she began working as a wedding photographer’s assistant. She practiced constantly, studied the craft, and before long was asked to step in as the lead photographer at a wedding.
It was both nerve-wracking and exciting, but that moment confirmed what she already knew, this was what she was meant to do. As she continued developing her skills, the opportunities grew. Within a short time, she launched her own photography business.
Since 2002, Jennifer has photographed over 500 weddings and thousands of portrait sessions. As her couples grew into families, the studio grew as well. What began with weddings naturally expanded into newborn, family, and children’s portraiture, allowing her to document clients through every stage of life.
More than two decades later, she continues to photograph meaningful milestones with the same excitement and care she felt at that very first wedding.
Pick something you love and make that your career. Honestly, that’s kind of what happened.
I never imagined that setting up backdrops, planning themes, making silly noises to get a baby to smile, and celebrating first birthdays would become my job.
But here we are. 🥹
And after all these years, I still get excited watching a theme come together and seeing a little one’s personality shine once they step into the studio.
Because cake smash sessions aren’t really about the cake.
They’re about celebrating a milestone that only happens once.
And getting to be a small part of that never gets old. 🎂
What’s something you could talk about or do all day and never get tired of?
Pelican Hill Resort + a gorgeous sunset + incredible food = an evening I didn’t want to end. 🧡 Had the best time covering this event for ABOG (Dallas, TX). The boho vibes were unmatched and decor was beyond. This is what happens when a great group of people gathers in a beautiful place.
This is just me being sarcastic - but some might be a little true. 😂
Top 5 Horror Movies for a Photographer
• can you send the RAW files
• wind. just. wind
• wearing neon orange at sunset
• the tide is too high
• making videos while being a photographer
The question that starts almost every cake smash conversation:
What themes can we do?
Honestly — almost anything.
But here is what I actually recommend.
Choose something they are into right now. Whatever phase they are in at this exact age. The dinosaurs. The rubber ducks. The princesses. The trucks. The thing they carry everywhere and sleep with and talk about constantly.
Because here is what nobody tells you about cake smash sessions: in ten years that photo is going to show you exactly who your child was at this age. Not just what they looked like. Who they were.
That is worth capturing.
We have a full theme library on our website — but if you do not see something that fits your child we will build it custom. No two sessions have to look the same because no two kids are the same.
For this session we planned everything together from the start. Rubber ducky theme. Portraits first. Then family photos. Then cake.
And before we ever talked about the set — we talked about what she wanted to do with the photos.
She chose an album.
Because digitals are beautiful. But an album is something her daughter will open when she is grown and understand immediately.
What theme are you thinking for your little one? Drop it in the comments — I want to see what phase you are in right now.
Newport Beach and Gilbert AZ. Link in bio. #cakesmash #cakesmashphotographer #cakesmashphotography
DM me BIRTHDAY and let’s start planning yours.
Photography started as something I loved.
I never picked up a camera thinking it would become a business, support my family, introduce me to thousands of incredible people, or still be part of my life 20+ years later.
But somewhere along the way, a hobby became a career.
Then a business.
Then a huge part of my life. 🤍
I’ve photographed weddings, newborns, seniors, families, birthdays, and milestones for people I’ve known for decades.
And honestly?
The greatest part isn’t the photos.
It’s the people.
The families who come back year after year.
The babies who become seniors.
The clients who become friends.
That’s what keeps me showing up every day.
Do you have a hobby you secretly wish could become your full-time job?
Comment LEARN if you’d like to see how I turned photography into a 20+ year business.
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ
Session by appointment only
