Simple Sophistication

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

Simple Sophistication

Costa Mesa newborn photographer – It’s a girl!

Costa Mesa Newborn studio

Siena had such a great session! She was absolutely perfect which gave us lots of outfit and backdrop options. I think she almost slept through the entire photo shoot! Mom and dad gave us their nursery color scheme ahead of time so we were able to get plenty of combos using their colors. Can you believe that mom made that adorable mermaid outfit? We were able to get some fantastic family photos with mom, dad, and grandma as well.

Choosing the right backgrounds

One of the most important parts of a newborn session is the background. Sure, you have to get the poses right but the colors, patterns and textures make all the difference when the final product is presented. Newborn photography should feel soft and warm so most of my favorite photographs are on blankets. The trick is getting them stretched and clamped so they appear smooth and endless.

Newborn Beds

We have found that most mothers prefer a clean and simple background for their baby. They also want at least one set with a little baby bed. We have 8 beds here at the studio so we have you covered! Once we know your colors, we will have some fun layers to add to the mix- ruffles, banners, ribbons, etc. We made the ribbon banner above the bed so the exact colors would tie in.

Props and outfits

One of the hardest parts of assembling custom baby sets is having the right vendors with the right products. We always love to give credit, whether it’s from a mom & pop etsy shop or a mega store like Hobby Lobby. We are constantly adding to our inventory so we can build the sets without waiting for the mailman!

Newborn bed: KingsCloth

Chevron background: Lemondrop backdrops

headbands: BabyBirdieBoutique

Bedding: OopsIKnitItAgain

Baby wraps: Custom Photo Props

Mermaid outfit: handmade by mother

About the photographer

Gilmore Studios is a husband and wife team maternity, newborn, children and family photography studio in Orange County, CA. Contact us for more info about booking your studio or on location session in the Southern California area.

Brian and Jennifer Gilmore specialize in studio & natural light photography in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, and surrounding areas in OC and Los Angeles, CA. 

Call 949-698-3968 or email us to book your summer and fall 2017 newborn photography sessions.

 

Orange County Newborn photographer
by GilmorePosted in Maternity & NewbornTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • Newborn baby girl wearing a white flower headband and laying on a pink blanket
  • young family with their brand new baby girl
  • newborn poses on white and grey
  • mother holding newborn baby girl in the studio
  • newborn baby sleeping on a silver bed
  • family newborn at Gilmore Studios
  • daddy holding his new baby girl
  • father holding his newborn baby girl
  • baby lips are the cutest
  • newborn poses on grey and pink
  • naked baby portraits at the studio on white
  • mother holds her baby girl up to her cheek
  • family with grandma and newborn baby girl
  • newborn girl wearing a silver tutu skirt and headband
  • Pink, grey, and white newborn set
  • pink knitted mermaid outfit for a baby girl
  • mother looks at her new baby daughter
  • pink, grey, silver, and white newborn studio props
  • mother, grandma and newborn baby girl
  • sweet sleeping baby girl

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:

Newborn Sessions

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Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

Shoot with me at the happiest place on earth. ✨

This is actually an older session…

but it’s one I still come back to all the time.

Because it’s not just about the location.

Yes, it’s Disney.
But what really makes it work is how personal it feels.

We keep it moving, use the light, and let the moments happen naturally.

That’s how it goes from “photos at Disney”
to something that actually feels like you.

Would you ever do your senior photos here? 👇

10 3
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17996420546768852
Shoot with me at the happiest place on earth. ✨ This is actually an older session… but it’s one I still come back to all the time. Because it’s not just about the location. Yes, it’s Disney. But what really makes it work is how personal it feels. We keep it moving, use the light, and let the moments happen naturally. That’s how it goes from “photos at Disney” to something that actually feels like you. Would you ever do your senior photos here? 👇

What nobody tells you about being in front of a camera.

It feels awkward… at first.

You don’t know what to do with your hands.
You’re thinking about your smile.

That part? Completely normal.

Here’s what actually happens:
I guide you through everything, keep it moving, fix the little details…

And then it shifts.

You relax.
You stop thinking about the camera.
And it finally feels like you.

📍Coto de Caza

Do you think you’d feel awkward in photos? 👇

13 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18088454921600408
What nobody tells you about being in front of a camera. It feels awkward… at first. You don’t know what to do with your hands. You’re thinking about your smile. That part? Completely normal. Here’s what actually happens: I guide you through everything, keep it moving, fix the little details… And then it shifts. You relax. You stop thinking about the camera. And it finally feels like you. 📍Coto de Caza Do you think you’d feel awkward in photos? 👇

Here are things to look for when choosing a wedding photographer.

This decision matters more than most couples realize.

Because once the day is over…
this is what you have left.

Here’s how to actually choose the right one:

1. Style that reflects your vision
If you don’t love how it looks now, you won’t love it later.
2. Experience handling real wedding days
Timelines shift. Lighting changes. You want someone who can adapt.
3. A genuine connection
You’ll spend a lot of your day with them. It should feel easy.
4. Professionalism you can count on
Clear communication, reliability, and someone who shows up prepared.
5. Full galleries, not just highlights
Anyone can post the best 10 images. Ask to see the whole story.
6. Real reviews and reputation
Look for consistency, not just one good experience.
7. Value that matches what you expect
Not just price… what are you actually getting?

Here’s what I’m doing behind the scenes:
guiding when needed, adjusting to the day as it unfolds, and making sure nothing important is missed.

Because your photos shouldn’t just look good…
they should feel like your day.

What matters most to you when choosing a photographer? 👇

14 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18079827413397783
Here are things to look for when choosing a wedding photographer. This decision matters more than most couples realize. Because once the day is over… this is what you have left. Here’s how to actually choose the right one: 1. Style that reflects your vision If you don’t love how it looks now, you won’t love it later. 2. Experience handling real wedding days Timelines shift. Lighting changes. You want someone who can adapt. 3. A genuine connection You’ll spend a lot of your day with them. It should feel easy. 4. Professionalism you can count on Clear communication, reliability, and someone who shows up prepared. 5. Full galleries, not just highlights Anyone can post the best 10 images. Ask to see the whole story. 6. Real reviews and reputation Look for consistency, not just one good experience. 7. Value that matches what you expect Not just price… what are you actually getting? Here’s what I’m doing behind the scenes: guiding when needed, adjusting to the day as it unfolds, and making sure nothing important is missed. Because your photos shouldn’t just look good… they should feel like your day. What matters most to you when choosing a photographer? 👇

Most people think they’re just for announcements… But they end up being so much more.

This countdown? One of my favorites.

Here’s why:
It gives you something to look forward to. A way to mark the days, celebrate the little milestones, and stay connected while they’re away.

And it turns these photos into something you actually use… not just something that sits on your phone.

Because this season? It’s a big one.

And having something tangible to hold onto during it…
matters more than you think. 🤍

Would you do a countdown like this? Comment MISSIONARYSTORE for our item on Etsy Shop

13 2
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18052366784734729
Most people think they’re just for announcements… But they end up being so much more. This countdown? One of my favorites. Here’s why: It gives you something to look forward to. A way to mark the days, celebrate the little milestones, and stay connected while they’re away. And it turns these photos into something you actually use… not just something that sits on your phone. Because this season? It’s a big one. And having something tangible to hold onto during it… matters more than you think. 🤍 Would you do a countdown like this? Comment MISSIONARYSTORE for our item on Etsy Shop

How long does a cake smash session really take?

About 45 minutes and here is everything we fit into that time.
We start with portraits first. Clean outfit, no cake, just your baby being adorable. Then we bring in the cake, swap into the smash outfit and let the chaos begin. 🎂

And if you want to keep going, we can do a quick splash session at the end. Some of the biggest smiles of the whole session happen right there.

Three different looks. One session. 45 minutes.
It goes fast so I make sure every minute counts.

Are you surprised we fit all of that in? 👇
Ready to book your cake smash?

7 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17976086367008382
How long does a cake smash session really take? About 45 minutes and here is everything we fit into that time. We start with portraits first. Clean outfit, no cake, just your baby being adorable. Then we bring in the cake, swap into the smash outfit and let the chaos begin. 🎂 And if you want to keep going, we can do a quick splash session at the end. Some of the biggest smiles of the whole session happen right there. Three different looks. One session. 45 minutes. It goes fast so I make sure every minute counts. Are you surprised we fit all of that in? 👇 Ready to book your cake smash?

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

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