Simple Sophistication
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only
Southern California & Arizona
Orange County ● PHOENIX
Baby’s first year is a blur of excitement and milestones. Now that you’ve reached the end of it, it’s time to party! A cake smash portrait session is the perfect celebration to capture all the joy of the last twelve months, to send out to family and friends or on a birthday announcement, and images you’ll cherish forever.
The point of the cake smash session is just that—the SMASH! The messier, the better! We start with the non-cake smash outfit and do a nice one-year-old portrait. Then we will have an outfit change and dig into the cake smash portion of the session.
We’ll talk with you ahead of time and decide on the theme (you can do a color scheme, a sports or hobby theme, favorite toy, book, simple, etc.) you’d like for your photos. Some sets take longer to prepare (depending on if it is custom) so please book 4-6 weeks prior.
We work with our local bakery to create the perfect (and perfectly yummy!) cake. The naked design is included in our session fee, but you are welcome to upgrade to a custom cake.
Our studio is full of a huge assortment of backdrops and props and is usually the best place to photograph a cake smash. We have sets you can choose from that we have already designed or you can have us come up with a custom set to match your one-year-old’s birthday theme.
Browse our wide variety of cake smash studio sets ready for your Southern California or Arizona cake smash session.
If you'd like a custom set design it is a additional upgrade.
Cake Smashes are the best way to celebrate your baby's first year. Simply pick your set design and reserve your date, Gilmore Studios will take care of the rest.
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*Add additional milestone sessions for $ during the 1st year. Digital files & photo products sold separately.
Photography products, digital files, and wall collections are purchased separately from your session fee. Please see our product guide for photo product collections & pricing.
We suggest scheduling 4-6 weeks in advance so we will have time to gather the props for your theme, the backdrop, and get the custom cake ordered.
No, we work with a local bakery for your session. Each cake included is naked. You are welcome to upgrade to a custom cake for the baker's additional fee. We will even box it up for you to take home afterward if it doesn’t get completely smashed. If your child has allergies - please bring your own cake.
We recommend bringing two outfits for the cake smash that coordinate with your chosen backdrop and theme, plus something clean for the baby to wear home. We can supplement with our huge assortment of hats, headbands, and tutus if needed. We also recommend an outfit change for the parent. Sometimes you can get messy with little hands on you.
All cake smash sessions are done in our studio, typically in the early morning or lunchtime.
Your images will be available online 7-10 business days after your session. You will be able to download the digital images you purchased as well as order prints, albums, canvases and more. If you would like to do an online ordering session with Gilmore Studios, that works great too.
Don’t worry! This is very common at this age. We have a few tricks for these kids and we will still get plenty of great shots, even if they refuse to touch the cake. We do recommend practicing at home incase that is the situation.
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✨ There’s something so special about photographing debutante balls. ✨
We get to capture it all, the formal family portraits beforehand (the smiles, the hugs, the proud parents) and then the event itself, just as it unfolds.
It’s part posed, part pure photojournalism. The best of both worlds.
The laughter on the dance floor, the quiet moments between generations, the excitement you can feel in the room, that’s the good stuff.
So grateful for nights like these and the families who trust us to capture it all. 🤍
#DebutanteBall #EventPhotography #FamilyPortraits #GilmoreStudios #NewportBeachPhotographer #ClassicAndCandid
They’ll never be this little again.
Newborn sessions are quiet, slow, and intentional — just like this season of life. We go at baby’s pace and focus on the little details you never want to forget…
Tiny fingers, soft cheeks, sleepy stretches, and that brand new kind of love. 💛
#NewbornPhotography #GilmoreStudios #OCNewbornPhotographer #MesaAZPhotographer #NewbornPhotographerMesaAZ #NewportBeachPhotographer #NewbornPhotographerOC #MesaNewbornSession #NewportBeachNewbornPhotos #BabyPhotosMesa #BabyPhotographerOC #NewbornSessionMesa #NewbornPhotosNewportBeach #MesaPhotographer #newportbeachfamilyphotographer #newportbeachnewbornphotographer
Make sure to get family photos done at least once a year — you won’t regret it.
I’ve photographed this family every year for the past 15 years. Different stages, different locations, but always the same love.
Their kids have grown up in front of my camera, and what we’ve created together is more than just portraits — it’s a legacy.
You don’t need a big occasion. Just a desire to remember this chapter — because it’ll be gone before you know it.
#FamilyPhotography #GilmoreStudios #OCPhotographer #FamilyPhotos #LegacyPhotos #AnnualPhotos #orangecoyntyfamilyphotographer #PhotographyOverTime
Two years apart, and now you’re home. I’ve missed you more than words can say. You gave everything to your mission…through the struggles, the growth, the love you shared. I know this experience shaped you in a way nothing else could. I’m in awe of who you’ve become. Welcome home, B. ❤️ I love you infinity times infinity ❤️
Ever seen a boho cake smash with blue pumpkins? 🎂
This sweet session felt like fall with a twist — soft blues, cozy textures, and the cutest little pumpkin digging in.
Cake smash tip: You don’t have to stick to bright colors or big props. A simple, cozy setup with unique colors (hello, blue pumpkins!) makes your baby the star every time.
Happy first birthday to this sweet little one — you made this fall smash one for the books!
#CakeSmash #BohoCakeSmash #BluePumpkinTheme #FirstBirthdayPhotos #GilmoreStudios #MilestoneMoments #OCPhotographer
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ
Session by appointment only
