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

Family Portrait Photography – Mission Viejo Photographer

One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is growing alongside the families I photograph. This Family Portrait Photography – Mission Viejo Photographer session is the perfect example. I’ve been photographing this amazing family for over a decade now, and every session reminds me why I love what I do. Watching their son and daughter grow into such awesome teenagers has been such a joy.

Why an In-Home Family Portrait Session is So Special

This year, we decided to make it extra special by doing their session right at home. Sometimes the best way to capture who you really are is to be where you feel most comfortable. By traveling to their home, we created a setting that felt truly personal and relaxed—just them being themselves. It’s one of the reasons why Family Portrait Photography – Mission Viejo Photographer sessions can be so meaningful.

Each year, when I photograph families again and again, I love changing up the location to keep things fresh and unique. We’ve done beautiful parks like Oso Creek Trail and stunning beaches in Orange County, but this time their cozy backyard and living spaces gave us the perfect backdrop for new memories. We made sure to capture everyone together, sweet combinations of mom with kids, dad with kids, and of course, we couldn’t leave out their beloved dog! Including pets always adds a little extra fun — and maybe a bit of playful chaos too.

Local Tip: Make a Day of It!

If you’re planning your own family portrait session in Mission Viejo, why not make it a day to remember? After your session, grab a bite at Stacks Pancake House or take a relaxing stroll at Mission Viejo Lake for beautiful views and family fun. These local gems are perfect for celebrating your new memories together.

Why Yearly Family Portraits Matter

When your family looks back on these photos years from now, you’ll see more than just faces. You’ll see where you were, who you were, and all the little details that make your family yours. That’s the beauty of investing in family portraits year after year.

If you’re ready to plan your own Family Portrait Photography – Mission Viejo Photographer session, Gilmore Studios would love to help you create something that feels personal and true to your family. Let’s pick a location that tells your story best—your home, your favorite park, or anywhere that feels like you.

Ready to make new memories together?
📸 Let’s connect at Gilmore Studios
📷 Photographers—want to learn how to build lasting relationships with your clients? Visit Photographers Roadmap for helpful resources!

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

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Photos might seem like a big investment today.

But one day you’ll be looking at a portrait of your child and realize you would give anything to go back to that exact stage for just five minutes. 

The missing teeth.
The freckles.
The mischievous smile.
The way they looked before life started changing so quickly.

That’s why I love Personality Portraits.

They’re not about matching outfits, perfect locations, or milestones.

They’re about preserving who your child is right now.

Because one day these portraits won’t just be photos on a wall.

They’ll be reminders of a childhood that went by way too fast. 🤍

And that’s when they become priceless.

Comment PERSONALITY to get the full details on our Personality Portrait Sessions
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026 at Carden Hall! You guys are going to do amazing things! 💕
My camera roll is full… maybe I should delete some photos.” 👀

…oh wait nevermind. 

Because somehow every wedding gives me another set of moments I physically cannot delete.

The veil fixes.
The nervous smiles before the ceremony.
The way couples look at each other when they think nobody’s paying attention. 🤍

And honestly?
Those little in-between moments usually end up meaning the most later.

That’s why I overshoot every single wedding ✨

Brides… are you more excited for the posed photos or the candid moments?
The timeline works for the couple. Not the other way around.

He was nervous before the first look. Not because anything was wrong. Because something that mattered enormously was about to happen.

So we took a minute. Sat in his room. Took a breath. Let him gather himself.

This is where 24 years and a psychology degree actually show up. Not in the posing. In knowing when to slow everything down so the couple can feel what is happening to them.

We walked down. She turned around.

The rest of the day was the smoothest wedding I can remember.

This is what I want for every couple I photograph. Not just beautiful images. A day that actually felt like theirs.

Newport Beach and Orange County wedding photography. DM me and let’s talk about your wedding.

#NewportBeachWeddingPhotographer #OrangeCountyWedding #WeddingPhotography

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

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