Simple Sophistication

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

Simple Sophistication

Back Bay Family Costa Mesa Photographer

Looking for a relaxed and scenic setting for your next family photo session? The Back Bay in Costa Mesa is one of Orange County’s most peaceful hidden gems — perfect for families who want portraits that feel timeless, natural, and effortlessly beautiful. As a local family photographer, I love recommending this area for clients looking to skip the beach crowds while still capturing the coastal charm that makes Newport-Mesa so special.

View more sessions at Gilmore Studios

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Why Choose Back Bay for Your Family Photos?

Back Bay offers wide open skies, walking trails, golden light, and native plants that frame your family beautifully — without needing extra props or styling. It’s quiet, spacious, and great for toddlers who love to explore or teens who want something more understated than a beach shoot.

Here’s why it’s one of my favorite spots:

  • Golden light reflections on the marshland during sunset
  • Grassy meadows and wildflowers in spring and early summer
  • Trail access with minimal foot traffic for a private session vibe
  • Seasonal variety in color and texture year-round
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Family posing by the field at Back Bay photography, Family photographer Back Bay Southern California

Location Details

Address: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Entrance: 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (border of Newport Beach + Costa Mesa)

  • Parking: Free lot at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center or limited street parking nearby
  • Restrooms: Available inside the Interpretive Center (check hours)
  • Permit Required: No permit needed for small family sessions
  • Accessibility: Mostly flat trails and walkable paths, stroller-friendly
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Tips for a Smooth Session at Back Bay

1. Dress the Part
Back Bay’s soft neutral tones (think gold, beige, green, and blue) pair well with outfits in warm earth tones, soft pastels, or light neutrals.

Need inspiration? Check out:

2. Bring Walking Shoes
Trails can get dusty. We usually walk 3–5 minutes from the parking lot to reach the best light and views.

3. Plan for Wind
Back Bay can be breezy near the water. Hair ties or clips for long hair are great to have on hand!

4. Bring a Blanket
Perfect for sitting portraits, toddler wrangling, or quick breaks between shots.

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Where to Eat After Your Back Bay Family Photo Session

Make it a full outing with one of these nearby restaurants:

Why This Session Matters

Every season of life changes fast — and your family deserves to remember this chapter. Whether your kids are running wild on the trail, snuggled in your lap, or walking hand-in-hand through the tall grass, these are the moments you’ll look back on years from now.

Photography in a natural environment like Back Bay helps your family relax, connect, and have fun — and those emotions come through in every single image.

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Ready to Plan Your Back Bay Family Session?

Let’s capture your family in the most effortless way — surrounded by nature, bathed in golden light, and full of authentic joy. I’ll guide you through everything from what to wear, to scheduling the best time, to where to grab dinner afterward.

👉 Book your session at Gilmore Studios – Family Photography
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by Gilmore TeamPosted in FamiliesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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:

Family photography

Featured On the blog

Read more
Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

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?

5 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17898074328465018
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.

9 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17872516275617564
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

40 3
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17940025950249372
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.

10 5
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18065998445409348
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.

20 5
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18123683860650152
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

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