Simple Sophistication
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ • Sessions by appointment only
Southern California & Arizona
Orange County ● Phoenix
At Gilmore Studios, we are parents as well and have had years of experience photographing little ones. All it takes is a well-placed distraction and letting them have a little fun! Over the years of being in business (since 2002), we have learned the secrets of letting kids be kids and capturing the perfect moments in-between.
The growing years of our children is significant and MUST be documented. It is a special and magical phase of life where we watch our babies go from being newborns to teenagers. It’s also a great way to reminisce with them in the future and go over the days gone by together. What better way to do that than with portraits? Actually, it’s the best way to do that!
Any parent who has attempted to take even a selfie with their kid will tell you how impossible it is to take a single perfect shot. Taking portraits of any age group is hard enough and photographing children, especially the very young ones is an exercise in patience best left to the professionals.
As your child grows up, it is a good idea to document the stages through childhood; right from their first birthday to their graduation – every part of it will be wonderful and bring back great memories when you look back at the photographs later on. It might be their first participation in a sports game or another event in their life which you do not to forget very quickly.
Session includes:
Photography products, digital files, and wall collections are purchased separately from your session fee. Please see our product guide for photo product collections & pricing.
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Mini sessions are very popular and only happen a few times a year. Gilmore Studios Mini Sessions are typically designed around holidays and are always fun and unique. These sessions are perfect for young children.
How do you style a cake smash with fruit and frosting—without it feeling like a farmer’s market exploded? 🍓🎂
Here’s what I’ve learned: stick to soft neutrals and let the berries do the talking. Their bold colors (and the mess they make!) add all the texture and charm you need. Keep the setup simple so those squishy hands, frosting-covered cheeks, and little berry-stained toes stay front and center.
This birthday girl brought all the joy—curious, expressive, and ready to dive into her berry-sweet celebration.
#BerryFirstBirthday #FreshBerriesCakeSmash #GilmoreStudios #CakeSmashTips
Ever photographed a Dr. Seuss–themed session and felt like the props might take over? 🎩🎂
Here’s what works: simplify the setup. Bold themes like this can get busy fast, so I stick to a clean background, a few playful pieces, and let the one-year-old steal the show (which they always do!).
This little guy lit up the studio—curious, wiggly, and full of personality. And once the frosting hit? Pure joy.
#DrSeussCakeSmash #GilmoreStudios #1YearOldSession
How do you photograph a six-month-old who just learned to sit up—and have a cute theme for February? 💘👶
Here’s the trick: keep the setup soft and simple—think pale pinks, creams, and textures instead of bright reds and bold props. At this age, babies are the focus (as they should be), and too much clutter takes away from those sweet little expressions and wobbly balance moments.
#sittingup #ValentineThemed #GilmoreStudios
Get our Client Appreciation Halloween date on your calendar! October 12th (Sunday) our complimentary Halloween mini for clients that have used us within the last year. Start thinking of your kiddos costume for this fall and be ready for October 12th!
#FallBackdropSession #MiniSessions #GilmoreStudios #fallphotoshoottips
Ever tried photographing a cake smash where the theme has a lot going on? 🎂🪵 How do you keep it cute without it feeling cluttered?
Here’s what I’ve learned: with bold themes like lumberjack plaid and rustic props, less is more. Focus on a few statement pieces (like a mini axe, wood slices, or a log cake stand), then balance it out with neutral tones behind the baby. You want the setup to support the story—not steal the spotlight.
And always make room for the mess. 😉 A little frosting in the flannel? Totally worth it.
#CakeSmash #LumberjackTheme #GilmoreStudios
Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ
Session by appointment only
