Simple Sophistication

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

Valley of Fire family portrait – Clark County, NV

05.09.17

Valley of Fire family portrait photography

This Valley of Fire family portrait is one of my favorites! While we were in Las Vegas for our annual photography convention, we took a trip over the the Valley of Fire for a quick family portrait for the Wright family. This beautiful state park is a few miles off of the 15 freeway. When you see fireworks signs and an Indian casino by the road, you are in the right place! You’ll drive quite a ways on a tiny 2 lane road that goes right to the park. The entry fee is only $10. This was our first time coming here so we met the family at the visitor center and then explored around the area for photo locations. There are amazing spots pretty much everywhere you look! After a few photos, we hopped back into the truck and drove around for some more.

The photo with the family walking in the middle of the road was my favorite! The canyon colors and the winding mountain road made such a great background. This portrait session was done in February so the weather was just right. Since this is in the desert, I wouldn’t advise doing it in the summer! If you are ever on a road trip through Nevada, make some time for a Valley of Fire family portrait!

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 Irvine, 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.

by GilmoreTags: family photogrpher, family portrait, family portrait photographer, Nevada desert family portrait, Nevada State Parks, Valley of Fire, Valley of Fire family photo, valley of fire state park

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

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 🤍

3 0

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18064545089650834

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 🤍

AI can’t replace this.

It can’t replace a baby laughing so hard he makes the whole room laugh.

It can’t replace a daughter kissing her mom after taking those last few steps down the aisle.

It can’t replace a blind father holding his daughter during a dance he will remember for the rest of his life.

It can’t replace a mom hugging her boys without realizing one day she would be looking back at that photo wondering where the years went.

It can’t replace the tear rolling down a military groom’s face when he finally sees his bride walking toward him.

It can’t replace a groom quietly wiping his bride’s tears during the ceremony because that is just who he is with her.

It can’t replace a big sister looking up at her dad while he holds the baby she is already completely in love with.

It can’t replace the way two people laugh together in a way that only makes sense between them.

It can’t replace a whole family running on the beach because they cannot help it.

It can’t replace a bride holding onto her dad after getting dressed, before the day has even started.

It can’t replace bridesmaids seeing their best friend in her dress and completely falling apart in the best way.

It can’t replace kids watching their parents kiss on the beach and thinking it is the most embarrassing thing they have ever seen.

It can’t replace a groom holding back everything he has while his bride says her vows.

It can’t replace a father kissing his daughter’s forehead before giving her hand to someone else.

AI can create images.
It can’t create history.

These are the moments people come back looking for years later. After a loss. After a milestone. After time has made them understand what they were actually looking at.

24 years behind the lens. These emotions were not planned.
Every single one was real.

What moment in your life do you wish someone had captured? Tell me in the comments.

27 3

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18116817832827507

AI can’t replace this.

It can’t replace a baby laughing so hard he makes the whole room laugh.

It can’t replace a daughter kissing her mom after taking those last few steps down the aisle.

It can’t replace a blind father holding his daughter during a dance he will remember for the rest of his life.

It can’t replace a mom hugging her boys without realizing one day she would be looking back at that photo wondering where the years went.

It can’t replace the tear rolling down a military groom’s face when he finally sees his bride walking toward him.

It can’t replace a groom quietly wiping his bride’s tears during the ceremony because that is just who he is with her.

It can’t replace a big sister looking up at her dad while he holds the baby she is already completely in love with.

It can’t replace the way two people laugh together in a way that only makes sense between them.

It can’t replace a whole family running on the beach because they cannot help it.

It can’t replace a bride holding onto her dad after getting dressed, before the day has even started.

It can’t replace bridesmaids seeing their best friend in her dress and completely falling apart in the best way.

It can’t replace kids watching their parents kiss on the beach and thinking it is the most embarrassing thing they have ever seen.

It can’t replace a groom holding back everything he has while his bride says her vows.

It can’t replace a father kissing his daughter’s forehead before giving her hand to someone else.

AI can create images.
It can’t create history.

These are the moments people come back looking for years later. After a loss. After a milestone. After time has made them understand what they were actually looking at.

24 years behind the lens. These emotions were not planned.
Every single one was real.

What moment in your life do you wish someone had captured? Tell me in the comments.

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

13 2

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 18445319176185120

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! 💕

126 4

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17885894652562955

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?

2 0

Open post by gilmorestudios with ID 17862650043633783

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?

Follow on Instagram

Newport Beach, CA & Gilbert, AZ

Session by appointment only