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Hannah and MK’s fall engagement session at Loose Park in Kansas City was nothing short of magical! As the sun dipped down, the golden hour light took over the entire park, creating a warm, glowing atmosphere. Their choice of neutral black and white outfits added a stunning focal point against the vibrant fall backdrop. The deep oranges, rich yellows, and golden hues of the leaves added a beautiful touch to each photograph.
The Magic of Golden Hour
Golden hour is a favorite time for photographers! During this brief period, the soft light creates a natural glow, adding a sense of warmth to each image. At Loose Park, the golden light filtered through the trees, highlighting the colorful leaves as they fell, giving Hannah and MK’s photographs a romantic, timeless feel.
The sun’s lower angle in the sky during fall cast long, gentle shadows, enhancing depth in the portraits. This lighting is perfect for couples who want to capture genuine intimate moments! Golden hour brings out natural expressions while keeping the mood relaxed and joyful. For Hannah and MK, this meant their photographs were filled with both love and warmth. <3
Why Loose Park is the Perfect Fall Location
Jacob L. Loose Park, covering 75 acres of beautiful landscapes, is one of Kansas City’s top spots for wedding and engagement sessions! Its stunning rose garden features about 3,000 roses and nearly 130 varieties. In the fall, the park transforms into a palette of rich colors, creating the perfect backdrop for portraits!
The park’s open spaces, tree-lined paths, and serene ponds provide a variety of settings for beautiful compositions. During Hannah and MK’s session, the glowing sunset emphasized the landscape and their love for each other in a truly beautiful way.
Benefits of a Fall Golden Hour Session
Choosing a fall golden hour session captures both beautiful lighting and the season’s natural beauty. The combination of soft sunlight and the bright colors of the leaves creates a romantic and colorful atmosphere. It’s a perfect choice for couples who want timeless, elegant portraits that highlight their connection!
For any couple looking to celebrate their love in a stunning way, a fall session during golden hour is truly a wonderful choice!
An engagement session at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City is always a breathtaking experience, especially during golden hour. This magical time, just before sunset, bathes everything in a warm, bright glow, creating a romantic atmosphere!
I recently photographed James and Stacy, a couple whose fun personalities shown through during our session. James wore khakis with a crisp white short-sleeve button-up shirt, creating a classic, timeless look. Stacy’s stunning two-piece outfit, with white and cream lace, added an elegant touch to the session.
Their neutral outfits perfectly complemented the golden hour’s soft light. The warm tones played beautifully off their clothing, enhancing the overall mood. The neutral palette allowed the golden hues to take center stage, highlighting both the couple and the location.
At Liberty Memorial, the golden hour light adds warmth and depth to every photograph. The setting sun’s glow, combined with the city’s skyline, creates a captivating backdrop. Choosing this location during golden hour ensures timeless, breathtaking moments.
James and Stacy’s session is a perfect example of how thoughtful outfit choices and timing can make all the difference. Their session was not only about capturing their love but also about showcasing the beauty of Liberty Memorial.
The result was a series of stunning images that perfectly captured the essence of their relationship. Liberty Memorial, especially during golden hour, offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. It’s an ideal location for capturing an unforgettable engagement session.
I recently had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful spring proposal session at Loose Park. It was a bright, sunny spring day. Katie wore a lovely baby blue dress, while Zach looked sharp in dark slacks and a white button-up shirt. I hid in the trees as they arrived and I waited in place for Zach to lead Katie to the bridge where he popped the question!
The bridge provided a perfect, rustic backdrop for the proposal. Katie had no idea what was coming, making it even more special. Zach got down on one knee, and Katie’s reaction was priceless. I was thrilled to capture this heartfelt moment.
When they were done sharing their special moment, we moved to the park’s beautiful fountains. The fountains certainly added a touch of elegance to the session. Zach and Katie’s happiness was infectious, they both couldn’t stop smiling! The sound of the water from the fountains made everything feel even more magical. .
During the session we explored most of Loose Park. The blooming flowers and lush greenery were specifically perfect for springtime photographs. Katie and Zach’s love for each other shone through in every photograph. The chemistry between the two of them made my job easy! I loved how relaxed and natural they were together.
To finish the session, Katie and Zach had a little picnic. They brought a couple of their favorite drinks and relaxed on a cozy blanket. It was undoubtedly a perfect ending to a perfect day. They toasted to their future, and I captured the moment. The casual picnic style added a personal touch to their proposal story.
Overall, this spring proposal session at Loose Park was truly memorable. Katie and Zach were so much fun to work with! Their love and excitement made the session special. Capturing these moments is why I love being a wedding photographer. I can’t wait to see Katie and Zach’s journey continue. Congratulations to the happy couple!
Winter in Kansas City can be magical, especially for engagement sessions. I had the pleasure of capturing an elegant winter engagement session at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Kansas City. This iconic location, with its stunning architecture and urban elegance, provided a perfect backdrop for the couple’s special moments!
One of the significant perks of winter engagement sessions is the unique ambiance they offer. The Kauffman Center’s sleek, modern design contrasted beautifully with the soft, diffused winter light. The result was a series of photographs that were both dramatic and romantic. The winter season brings a serene and peaceful atmosphere that adds a touch of sophistication to any session.
The couple embraced the winter theme with their attire. The bride-to-be wore a chic, long, white, silk dress that flowed gracefully in the breeze. Her fiancé complemented her look with a classic black sweater and a dark pants, perfect for the crisp winter air.
Winter engagement sessions also come with the advantage of fewer crowds. The Kauffman Center, typically bustling with activity, was more tranquil, allowing us to explore various angles and locations without interruptions. This sense of intimacy made the session more personal and relaxed for the couple.
The couple’s session was not only about capturing beautiful images but also about enjoying the experience. The quieter, less hectic environment of a winter session allowed them to focus on each other, resulting in genuine, heartfelt moments. These candid interactions made the photos even more special.
In addition to the serene atmosphere and beautiful lighting, winter sessions at iconic locations like the Kauffman Center offer a unique perspective. The architectural marvels of the building, combined with the seasonal beauty, create a one-of-a-kind setting that stands out from traditional engagement photos! This elegant winter engagement session was no exception!
Winter in Kansas City can be unpredictable and chilly. An indoor location like John’s Greenhouse provides a perfect setting for engagement sessions. I had the pleasure of capturing a greenhouse engagement session at John’s and despite the cold weather outside, the greenhouse was warm and inviting.
Indoor locations offer consistent lighting and controlled temperatures, ensuring comfort for everyone. John’s Greenhouse, with its lush greenery, and vibrant backdrop, made this couple’s engagement session feel like a tropical escape!
The couple chose outfits that perfectly complemented the greenhouse’s aesthetic. They opted for simple yet bold colors, which stood out beautifully against the greenery. The bride-to-be wore a stunning deep orange dress, adding a pop of color to the photos. The groom-to-be chose a classic cream colored shirt, offering a sharp contrast to the green foliage. The greenhouse’s natural light highlighted their features and the details of their clothing.
Using an indoor location like John’s Greenhouse has several benefits. It provides a unique and picturesque environment, perfect for capturing special moments. The controlled setting eliminates the stress of weather-related issues. The greenhouse’s lush plants and flowers create a vibrant, natural background for photos.
In winter, outdoor sessions can be challenging due to the cold and unpredictable weather. An indoor location ensures that the session can proceed without any weather-related interruptions. John’s Greenhouse offers a warm, comfortable space for couples to relax and enjoy their session!
Along with winter comes proposal season! Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are great times to pop the question because family and friends are already gathering. I had the opportunity to capture a special backyard proposal this past proposal season.
Kristian set up twinkly Christmas lights in Catelyn’s Parent’s backyard for a very romantic proposal. It was a cold evening, but that didn’t stop anyone from coming out to celebrate the newly engaged couple! After he led her to the backyard and popped the question, their family and friends came out of the house to congratulate them. They celebrated with a champagne pop, treats, and toasts.
Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to venues and locations for proposals, but nothing is as special as popping the question in a place that is special to the couple. I always recommend choosing a spot that has special sentiment for the proposal and then having a small celebration after! It could be at someone’s house, a restaurant the couple loves, a coffee shop they frequent, or a park they love to go to. Regardless of where they decided to pop the question, this next step into their relationship will be remembered forever.
I had the opportunity to capture at fall engagement session on a gorgeous day at The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. It was the beginning of November, but the colors on the leaves were still out to play! We were not complaining. The weather was absolutely perfect and the colors added so much warmth and depth to the photographs. They also complimented Kristen and Chris’s outfits wonderfully!
There’s not much that’s better than a fall golden hour engagement session at The Nelson. Catching the sun as it peaks through the trees creates the dreamiest photographs. It is an easy way to romanticize the session!
The Nelson also offers a wide variety of locations to take pictures, which helps create the feeling of a multi-location session. But you only have to do a little walking, instead of taking a drive! As a location, it also offers a good variety of both earthy and industrial/modern backdrops. Multiple areas with trees, plants, and greenery compliment the beautiful structure.
If you are trying to decided where to go for an upcoming session, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is always a safe choice! Whether it’s a family session, an engagement session, or a senior session. The Nelson has plenty to offer!
There isn’t much quite like a late summer golden hour engagement session in Downtown Kansas City! I had the opportunity to meet up with Victoria and Kody at the library district in Downtown KC. We were able to capture street side and skyline moments for their engagement session.
If you are looking for a good mixture of greenery and industrial vibes for an upcoming session, I can’t recommend the library district enough! There are plenty of plants and trees at the street level that help bring some color and depth into the photographs. With Kansas City being known as the city of fountains, there are also options for elegant fountain backdrops! If you schedule your session right at golden hour you can catch the sun peaking through the buildings at the perfect time for photographs.
One thing about downtown as a session location is that you can quickly change your scenery. We accomplished this by simply taking an elevator up to a rooftop. Kansas City has such a wonderful skyline! The skyline photographs well from many different angles. Which gives you a lot of options when it comes to choosing a location. You can pick a location based on wanting the Western Auto sign in the background, or wanting a neutral background. Once you know what you’re wanting it is easy to decide on a location!
An added bonus of splitting your session between street side and skyline is that you have a good transition point for an outfit change. This can give off the feeling of having two separate sessions. You can aim for one half to appear more elegant and elevated with fancier clothing. Allowing for the second half to appear more casual with relaxed outfits.
Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to locations for engagement sessions. One place that isn’t as commonly used is Kauffman stadium! It offers a beautiful industrial style structure as a backdrop that photographs wonderfully during golden hour. It is also surrounded by greenery, plants, and trees, which can add depth and color to the photographs.
I met Emily and Braden at Kauffman Stadium on warm Spring day, just as golden hour was about to hit. We enjoyed walking around and getting a variety of different photographs at different locations around the stadium. Kauffman is large, so there are a lot of options when it comes to where to take pictures!
Our session also included a trip to the Kansas City River Market, where we popped into River Bluff Brewery. I love being able to capture couples in what feels like a natural habitat. Sometimes taking pictures in a field feels foreign and can cause people to tense up. Not only does going out for a drink help calm the nerves, it is a great photo opportunity. We headed inside for a drink.. or two! After, we made our way outside to capture some moments around the River Market.
If you are on the hunt for session locations, Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City River Market are always good options!
There are a multitude of options when it comes to locations for engagement sessions in Kansas City. Loose Park is not as commonly used but offers beautiful scenery, especially in the Fall! Peak color happens at different times throughout Fall depending on where in the country you live. Here in the midwest it typically happens between October 22nd – 28th. If you really want colorful leaves in your engagement photos, try and get on your photographer’s schedule within that time frame. No guarantees because the weather changes at a different rate every year, but there should be at least some color on the leaves within that time frame!
Alex and Danielle were able to catch the leaves at just the right time during their session at Loose Park! We had a great time walking around the park together. I was able to capture some good laughs, and watch this couple start to come out of their shells in front of the camera! They also had the opportunity to get back to some of those childhood roots and roll around in the leaves together, which is always fun and nostalgic. The vibrant red and orange leaves always add such a unique and beautiful touch to photographs and these didn’t disappoint.
