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

Photos With Santa – Costa Mesa & Newport Beach Christmas Minis

The holiday season is the perfect time to make memories with your little ones, and what better way than Photos With Santa – Costa Mesa & Newport Beach Christmas Minis? Whether you’re in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach, our Christmas Mini Sessions are designed to capture timeless, magical moments you’ll treasure for years.

At Gilmore Studios, our Santa Minis are more than just a quick snapshot — they’re a full experience. Children get time to talk, laugh, and smile with Santa, while parents enjoy a calm, stress-free environment.

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Why Our Santa Minis Are Different

Skip the long mall lines and rushed two-minute photos. A professional Santa Mini Session gives your family a cozy, private atmosphere and beautifully styled holiday décor.

  • More interaction time with Santa.
  • A timeless, classic backdrop.
  • Stress-free sessions designed for children.

👉 See more holiday sessions on Gilmore Studios’ blog.

👩‍🏫 Photographers — want to create your own profitable Santa Minis? Visit Photographers Roadmap for guides, templates, and resources.

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What to Wear for Santa Photos

The right outfits will make your holiday portraits both festive and timeless:

  • Classic holiday colors. Red, green, gold, navy, and cream always look great.
  • Textures matter. Plaid shirts, velvet dresses, or cozy knits add seasonal charm.
  • Matching holiday PJs. Fun, playful, and perfect for family group portraits.
  • Avoid distractions. Skip bold logos or neon colors that take away from the moment.

👉 Shop children’s and family holiday outfits at Zara or browse festive looks at J.Crew.

Where to Eat After Your Santa Session

Make your Santa session a family outing! Celebrate with a holiday meal at one of these Costa Mesa and Newport Beach favorites:

Why These Photos Matter

Your children only believe in Santa for a short window of time, and those magical smiles are worth capturing. A Santa Mini Session gives you keepsake portraits that will last far beyond the holiday season.

For families, these photos become an annual tradition and a way to watch your children grow through the years — with a touch of holiday magic in every portrait.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the best photos with Santa in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach, Gilmore Studios offers Christmas Minis designed to be joyful, stress-free, and truly magical.

✨ Ready to create timeless holiday portraits? Book your Santa Mini Session with Gilmore Studios today!

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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
Personality Portraits booking now….Most of my clients have no idea what the final image is going to look like when I’m taking it.

I’m asking siblings to stand here.
Look there.
Move closer.
Laugh at each other. 

And sometimes it probably makes absolutely no sense in the moment.

But that’s the beauty of trusting the process.

Because what I’m really looking for isn’t perfect smiles.

It’s connection.

The way siblings look at each other.
The little laughs.
The personalities that make your family yours.

Those are the photos that end up meaning the most years later. 

If you love photos that capture your child's personality, comment PERSONALITY and I'll send you all the details about our Personality Portrait Sessions 🤍
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?

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only

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