Simple Sophistication

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

Simple Sophistication

Huntington Beach Family Photographer – Sunset Session

Huntington Beach Family Portrait Photography – Surf City USA

Gilmore Studios has been a Huntington Beach Family Photographer since 2003. This is one of our favorite family portrait locations in Orange County! The HB pier is made of concrete and looks amazing during the sunset. It almost blends in with the sand as the warm sunset tones soak into it. Huntington Beach pier is huge- (1,850 feet) it’s one of the longest on the west coast! Since it is almost always crowded there so the long pier gives us plenty of room to dodge crowds who may not want to be in your family portrait! Sunset is the most ideal time to have your portraits taken but we have taken early morning sessions. Mornings aren’t as crowded but be careful, it can get foggy at times.

Huntington Beach Family Photographer

This family was on vacation in Orange County and found us on Yelp. We met up with them in front of a restaurant on Main Street and walked down to the beach together. If you are coming to Downtown HB for the first time, parking can be a challenge. We always recommend parking in the structure on 3rd street. There are always open parking spots there! Be sure to leave bags and sunglasses in the car- unless you want them in your photo, of course! If you are looking for a Huntington Beach Family Photographer, Contact us for availability.

History of the Huntington Beach Pier

This part of Huntington Beach has an interesting history that goes back to the early 1900’s. The first wooden pier was built before HB was an official city in 1903. It lasted for awhile until a storm damaged it. The city decided to rebuild it, but this time it would be made out of concrete. In 1914, it set the record for the longest concrete pier in the USA! After Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, the US military took over the pier and turned it into a submarine lookout post. It even had a machine gun mounted at the end! It would remain that way until the end of WW2!

The pier remained open for 4 decades before a large storm destroyed the cafe at the end of the pier. The pier would be repaired in 1988 and then closed again in 1990. This time the pier would be completely rebuilt and it took over 2 years to open. On the opening day, over 500,000 people came to the dedication. It was added to the US national register of historic places list in 1989.

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 natural light photography in 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 2017  family photography 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

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Simple Sophistication

We are on Instagram

Dream job? Honestly, yes. But it’s so much more than a job.

For 24 years I’ve been trusted with the moments people will hold onto forever.
First cries. First birthdays. First lost teeth. Graduating high school and college. Vows. And then repeating the cycle all over again.

I’ve been there for the joy and the grief, the beginnings and the goodbyes. And somehow, after all of it, I still get to wake up and do it again tomorrow and it still takes my breath away every single time.

I’ve watched entire lifetimes unfold through my lens, and I don’t take a single frame for granted.

To my clients … you haven’t just given me a career. You’ve let me into the moments that matter most.

That’s everything. 🤍

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Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18081142766530517
Dream job? Honestly, yes. But it’s so much more than a job. For 24 years I’ve been trusted with the moments people will hold onto forever. First cries. First birthdays. First lost teeth. Graduating high school and college. Vows. And then repeating the cycle all over again. I’ve been there for the joy and the grief, the beginnings and the goodbyes. And somehow, after all of it, I still get to wake up and do it again tomorrow and it still takes my breath away every single time. I’ve watched entire lifetimes unfold through my lens, and I don’t take a single frame for granted. To my clients … you haven’t just given me a career. You’ve let me into the moments that matter most. That’s everything. 🤍

What actually happens during prom photos 👀
Here’s how to instantly make your prom photos look better:
• Don’t stand stiff
• Keep movement in the poses
• Relax your hands and shoulders
• Stay close together in couple photos
• Laugh, talk, and i
That’s what I’m guiding the entire session.
Because the best prom photos don’t always happen from perfect posing...
They happen when everyone finally relaxes and starts having fun. #
Save this and send it to your date so everyone is on the same page

12 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17884759194397731
What actually happens during prom photos 👀 Here’s how to instantly make your prom photos look better: • Don’t stand stiff • Keep movement in the poses • Relax your hands and shoulders • Stay close together in couple photos • Laugh, talk, and i That’s what I’m guiding the entire session. Because the best prom photos don’t always happen from perfect posing... They happen when everyone finally relaxes and starts having fun. # Save this and send it to your date so everyone is on the same page

If younger me could see the amount of emails, sessions, editing, timelines, client calls, blogs, courses, and random to-do lists now… she’d be SHOCKED. 😅

I started Gilmore Studios in 2002 with no roadmap. Just a camera, a love for photography, and honestly… a huge love for the business side of it too.

Since then, I’ve photographed so many stages of life:
weddings, newborns, seniors, cake smashes, families, commercial shoots, events… and somehow many of those clients became lifelong friends along the way. 🤍

What started as “I think I want to do photography” turned into over two decades of documenting people’s biggest moments and helping other photographers grow businesses of their own.

And honestly?
I still love it just as much.

Hi, I’m Jennifer Gilmore — photographer, business owner, and mentor for photographers ready to grow ✨

Comment LEARN if you want to grow as a photographer

21 0
Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18166284592439453
If younger me could see the amount of emails, sessions, editing, timelines, client calls, blogs, courses, and random to-do lists now… she’d be SHOCKED. 😅 I started Gilmore Studios in 2002 with no roadmap. Just a camera, a love for photography, and honestly… a huge love for the business side of it too. Since then, I’ve photographed so many stages of life: weddings, newborns, seniors, cake smashes, families, commercial shoots, events… and somehow many of those clients became lifelong friends along the way. 🤍 What started as “I think I want to do photography” turned into over two decades of documenting people’s biggest moments and helping other photographers grow businesses of their own. And honestly? I still love it just as much. Hi, I’m Jennifer Gilmore — photographer, business owner, and mentor for photographers ready to grow ✨ Comment LEARN if you want to grow as a photographer

Senior year is better with your best friend. 🎉🎓

Class of 2026

📸 by Cody - Gilmore Studios

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Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18081523934439405
Senior year is better with your best friend. 🎉🎓 Class of 2026 📸 by Cody - Gilmore Studios

Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀

And each one gives you a completely different look.

Riparian Preserve
Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones.

Queen Creek Fields
Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves.

Queen Creek Wash
More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel.

Here’s how I help seniors choose:
We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have.

Because location changes EVERYTHING.

Save this for your senior photo inspo later
Which one would you choose?

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Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18131346985567054
Top locations in Arizona for a senior session 👀 And each one gives you a completely different look. Riparian Preserve Greenery, paths, variety, and softer natural tones. Queen Creek Fields Open space, warm light, and that dreamy golden hour look everybody loves. Queen Creek Wash More texture, desert tones, and a slightly edgier feel. Here’s how I help seniors choose: We don’t just pick a location because it’s pretty. We pick one that fits your outfits, personality, and the overall vibe you want your photos to have. Because location changes EVERYTHING. Save this for your senior photo inspo later Which one would you choose?

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

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