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Sydney and Joey wanted to have a pizza date photo session in Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence is one of their favorite towns so they headed down Massachusetts Street to grab their favorite pizza from Papa Kenos Pizzeria and a couple sodas, then they set up a pizza picnic date at South Park.
Originally this session was supposed to be Sydney and Joey’s engagement photos before their wedding day; however with COVID they ended up rearranging their plans. They got married a few months before at a small court house ceremony in Topeka and are planning on having a big reception to celebrate the next fall.
When we started planning their couples session I asked Sydney and Joey if they had any ideas on locations or a vision for their session. They said they wanted to keep it casual and make sure it felt like THEM!
We decided on starting our photo session at South Park because it is a really special place to them. Sydney used to work for the Lawrence Park department, so she spent a lot of time taking care of the park and making it beautiful. I love when clients choose photo locations that mean something to their relationship.
If you’re wanting some couples photos done I highly suggest choosing a spot or going with an idea that truly represents your relationship. Sydney and Joey love having laid back date nights so we grabbed some pizza and went to the park. If you and your love have a go-to date night that you absolutely love – you should have photos of those magical memories together.
I’ve photographed couples doing all sorts of activities to show off their relationship together, for example I’ve taking pictures at a couples favorite coffee shop, on their farm land with their cows, picnics on the Nelson Atkins lawn, at their house, and even with their dogs. Whatever brings you both joy and feels comfortable for your relationship is exactly what we should do at your photo session. Couples session are about YOU and YOUR LOVE.
You deserve to have photos that represent your relationship exactly as it is. If you need help brainstorming ideas for ways to make your couples photos feel more like you guys, I have a guide I like to share with my couples and I’m more than happy to help spark some ideas.
This pizza date photo session in Lawrence Kansas turned out amazing and I know your photos will too!
Check out these tips on how to have the best engagement session ever or find more inspiration for fall couples photos here and here.
Living in the middle of the midwest we are lucky to have a wide variety of location options when it comes time for photos. Whether you want a natural area or more of an urban feel to your photos there is always a place that will fit what you’re looking for. Chelsea and Thao wanted a more natural location for their fall photos because they wanted to capture the autumn colors. We decided to do their fall couples photos at James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area.
James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area is in Jackson County, near Lee’s Summit Missouri. As a Kansas City photographer it was a great location to add to my list. Chelsea and Thao had been to the area many times, they love to take their golden retriever, Thor, there to run and play. The area is also great for fishing which is one of their favorite past times.
This made choosing to do their couples photos at James A Reed Memorial Wildlife Area even easier because it’s a place that’s more sentimental to them, rather than just another park or a place they’ve never been before.
I always suggest my couples choose a location that means something to them over somewhere that’s just “pretty”, backgrounds are important but the way the location makes you feel makes all the difference.
The area is HUGE we had so many different spots to choose from, I’m surprised we didn’t get lost! We found really beautiful places in wide open fields, near the water, and spots to really capture the beauty of fall.
We had a great time exploring the park and finding all these great spots. We were all smiling the entire session, especially watching their dog get so excited to be outside.
Check out my blog for other photographer recommended Kansas City locations for your next photoshoot, especially this session at Shawnee Mission Park
As the air begins to cool, the trees transform from green to orange, red, and yellow. The leaves start to fall towards the earth and all is calm. Autumn has arrived in the midwest. The best way to capture this new season is by taking fall couple photos at Loose Park in Kansas City.
Loose Park is one of my favorite locations for couples and engagement pictures because there is such a wide variety of breathtaking spots for backgrounds. In the spring the roses are blooming and in the fall the trees are bursting with color.
Nena and Tony hadn’t had professional photos of themselves taken since their wedding day. This year they wanted to get some fall couple photos taken at Loose Park. They both wore comfy sweaters and paired them nicely with jeans. I always encourage couples to wear outfits they feel comfortable in, that way we aren’t limiting ourselves to certain poses or prompts. The more comfortable you are in what you’re wearing the more confidence and happiness you will radiate through your photos.
We started our session in the Rose Garden and to my surprise there were still some roses blooming which is rare for late October, the best time for the roses is late May through September.
We then headed down towards the pond stopping by beautiful trees on our way. It was a pretty chilly autumn day so I was sure to give them lots of cuddled up poses and prompts with lots of movement to help get them warmed up.
The photos turned out gorgeous with such great pops of color. If you’re interested in booking a session with me at Loose Park fill out my contact down below, also please know that Loose Park requires all professional photographers purchase a photo permit a few days before their session ($25/hour fee).
Check out Bridgette and John’s summer engagement session for an example of Loose Park in the warmer months.
One of the best locations in Kansas City for couples sessions is The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The grand stairs, the tall pillars, the quiet gardens, and the beautiful green lawns make for beautiful backdrops that compliment every fun and intimate moment.
Christina and Nick have been dating since February of 2019 so they decided it was time for some professional pics. They’ve captured their relationship through iphone photos and instagram stories but this session was way more than just pictures. It was an afternoon dedicated to spending quality time with each other and capturing their dating stage as their relationship keeps growing.
When Christina was a freshman and Nick was a sophomore they met for the very first time at Missouri State University. Their mutual friends introduced them and as their friendship grew they both started to catch feelings. A ton of Chick-fil-a dates later and they knew this was the real deal.
The minute I met Christina and Nick I could tell how much they love each other. It was obvious through the in between moments that they are the perfect pair. From the subtle glances, to the way Christina’s head fits into Nick’s shoulder – it was a match made in heaven.
Last summer these cuties both spent their break in Orlando, FL. One evening, as the golden sun set in the sky, Nick and Christina shared a meal together overlooking the gorgeous view of the ocean. After dinner they walked hand and hand along the beach. Christina watched the waves crash on the shore and then looked up at Nick’s smiling face, it was in that moment she knew they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together. Thinking about that night still takes Christina’s breath away.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum was the perfect spot for Nick and Christina’s couples session. We had a ton of variety for different backgrounds and the grounds are so big that the creative options are truly endless. I could photograph a couple here every weekend and each session would be unique to the rest. What makes couples sessions so special is giving yourself a moment, or an afternoon, to really spend some quality time together in a new way.
“We may have been out in public in front of lots of people, but it honestly felt like it was just the two of us in that moment” -Christina
Christina and Nick’s advice to you:
“{After seeing the final gallery} Each picture I looked at, I just fell in love with it. It was so sweet to see the both of us together & the way we look at one another. The pictures were truly worth a thousand words. Don’t wait forever to get pictures done – moments fly by SO quick! I’m so glad Natalie was able to capture our dating stage of life as things continue to move forward”
Check out The Nelson here and schedule your next photo session with me here or fill out the brief contact form down below.
