Simple Sophistication

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

Simple Sophistication

Drive By Family Portrait Photography Sessions in Orange County

Meet the #DRIVEBYPHOTOSHOOT

We couldn’t just sit and watch our 18 year old business burn to the ground. Our studio has been closed since the stay at home order mid March. We sent our employees home and started trying to come up with a plan to save our business. We were devastated and knew others were in the same boat. We wanted to give our clients a moment of happiness with a sweet and simple drive by photo shoot.

We expected the drive by photo shoot concept to last for one weekend but boy, we were wrong! The demand for our drive by photo sessions went off the charts. Our socials blew up with people asking how they could get one! We have now been shooting these sessions (at a distance from our SUV) for 2 weeks and have booked solid.  People’s mental health is a huge part of this.  We have heard time and time again that it was the one thing they were looking forward to, or how it was nice to get dressed and put makeup on after sitting around for weeks.  One client mentioned that she had been so sad about missing out on her newborn session, but this little 5 minute session from her front door was just what she needed to feel like she didn’t miss a moment she could not go back to.

How it works…

The 5-10 minute session is $40 and includes an online gallery with one digital file download. When you get your gallery, you can download the one image, or you can purchase additional images. You stay on your porch and we stay in our car. Let us know what time your front porch has the most shade. This will help us determine if you need an AM or afternoon session.

From mild to wild – Have fun!

You can document this crazy time by showing what you are doing each day, or bringing out your family’s prized stash of toilet paper.  You could also put on your favorite outfit, wear some makeup, grab your dog, and step onto your porch for a portrait in front of your home.  With seniors not being able to have a graduation, it’s also an opportunity to do your senior session for 5 minutes from your front porch.

We will come to your neighborhood- anywhere in Orange County!

This started out with just trying to do a weekend in our neighborhood in Costa Mesa / Newport beach to be able to pay our lease, but quickly spread all over Orange County, CA. If you want us to come to your city, ask a handful of friends (5-10) around your area to commit to a drive by session and we will be there.

Click here to request a session

 

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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

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Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

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? 👇

4 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

9 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?

6 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?

Should you still get photos done when your kids are teenagers and older?

Life starts changing fast.

Schedules don’t line up the same.
They’re out with friends more.
Conversations get shorter.
And before you realize it… the house feels a little quieter.

Here’s how I approach these sessions:
I don’t force anything that feels unnatural. No overly posed moments. I guide you into simple, relaxed interactions so it still feels like your family, just in this season.

Are your kids at this stage yet? 👇
Ready to book your family session?

26 4
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18094728521165718
Should you still get photos done when your kids are teenagers and older? Life starts changing fast. Schedules don’t line up the same. They’re out with friends more. Conversations get shorter. And before you realize it… the house feels a little quieter. Here’s how I approach these sessions: I don’t force anything that feels unnatural. No overly posed moments. I guide you into simple, relaxed interactions so it still feels like your family, just in this season. Are your kids at this stage yet? 👇 Ready to book your family session?

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

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