Simple Sophistication

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

Family Photography Session – Newport Beach Pier

10.30.18

Family Photography Session – Newport Beach Pier

We absolutely love getting to visit all of our clients for their holiday family photography sessions! It’s always so crazy to see how much these little ones have grown since last year. The Newport Beach Pier is a very popular destination for family photography this time of year, so we recommend doing a morning session like this! Morning sessions are the best! Plenty of parking and you won’t see twenty photographers trying to use the pier at the same time 🙂

We suggest getting your family photography sessions booked in October and November. All of our Saturday sessions are booked until January so weekdays are the way to go. (don’t delay, because they are filling up quickly!) If mornings are an option for your family, we have a lot more flexibility.

We can’t wait to see you on your next Family Photography Session!

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Too sweet for words ❤️ ???????????? #gilmorestudios #gilmorestudiosfamily #xmasphotoshoot #newportbeach #newportbeachphotographer #newportpier #ocfamilyphotographer #instacute #candycane #holidayportraits

A post shared by GilmoreStudiosBabies (@gilmorestudiosbabies) on Oct 29, 2018 at 2:12pm PDT

About the photographer

Gilmore Studios photography team specializing in maternity, newborn, children, family , and wedding portraits 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 natural light photography in Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and surrounding areas in OC and Los Angeles, CA.

Call 949-698-3968 or email us to book your summer & fall 2018 family photography sessions at the beach. Orange County Family Photographer since 2003.

Call us to schedule your next Family Photography Session for your holiday card photo! This is our busy season but we love it!

by GilmoreTags: family photographer, family portrait, family portrait photographer, Newport beach, Newport Beach children's photographer, Orange County family photographer

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

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?

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? Link in bio!

7 1

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18315544930287569

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? Link in bio!

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Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only