the blog
Lakshmi and Abhitej wanted a gorgeous location for their couples photoshoot. We scheduled their romantic pre wedding photos at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Lakshmi and Abhitej are from Kansas City but were getting married just a few weeks later in Dallas Texas.
There are a few keys to having a perfectly romantic engagement session that makes you feel like you’re a part of a romantic comedy movie; the location, your wardrobe, and your connection.
Lakshmi and Abhitej scheduled their session in November so the fall colors were vivd across the grounds and the classic architecture gave us a variety of background options. The contrast between the natural landscaping and the architectural structures makes for the perfect romantic location.
Their outfits were elegant almost as if they stepped off a movie set. Lakshmi’s red ballgown was the perfect pop of color. She looked incredible walking on the steps of the Nelson. Abhitej’s dark suit jacket complimented her dress and made it pop even more.
The main key to having romantic pre wedding photos is to have your true connection between the two of you SHINE. Focus on each other and lean into the directions from your photographer. I always pose my couples in a natural way to get candid in between moments that really show their love for one another.
Lakshmi and Abhitej’s romantic pre wedding photos at the Nelson Atkins turned out amazing. For more inspiration check out Christina and Nick’s winter couple session at the Nelson Atkins.
Scheduling an engagement session is one of the best ways to personally get to know your wedding photographer before your big day. Many of my wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session simple to give us a chance to meet, get you both comfortable in front of the camera, and of course give you guys some cute photos that are a little more laid back. Sofi and Robert chose Shawnee Mission Park for their fall engagement photos. The trees and bright warm colors gave us a ton to work with and really made their session POP!
I photograph at Shawnee Mission Park a lot so each time I try to make my couples session as unique as I possibly can. Luckily the park is so big we never run out of great photo worthy locations.
I was incredibly excited to meet Sofi and Robert for the first time in person. I had been talking with Sofi through instagram for almost a year (!!) She originally reached out when she was living in Colorado and her and Robert weren’t officially engaged yet, but she knew it was coming soon. We instantly clicked and when the time finally came for Robert to propose it truly felt like one of my best friends was getting engaged.
When you first meet Robert and Sofi you can tell right off the bat how in love they are. They are constantly having a blast and making jokes together. I swear we laughed throughout their entire session. By the time I got back in my car I felt like I had been working out my core from laughing so hard for an hour.
I always like to hear my couples tell their love story, I asked Sofi how they met and they met online while they were living in Colorado, but the crazy part is there hometowns (St. Louis and Chicago Area) are only 300 miles a part, so they had to move about 1800 miles away to end up in the same city and meet each other – talk about a coincidence.
I love to know how my couples met but my absolute favorite question to ask is “How/When did they know their partner was THE ONE?” This question always gives a little peek into each of their hearts. Usually their answers are different. Sometimes it’s something simple, or funny, and other times it is a big monumental moment. I asked Sofi and Robert and they both knew the same night. It was the night they met. They drove around in a blizzard to get ice cream and then stayed up talking till 5 in the morning. During those hours of conversations were a million little moments that Sofi was falling in love. Robert was so sure Sofi was the one he even called his mom the next day and told her all about it.
Hearing these love stories is why I love my job SO MUCH. Photography has always been my passion, but making these connections with people and listening to their stories makes it all the more meaningful.
Shawnee Mission Park is perfect for fall engagement photos, it’s really a great option for anytime of year. Check out Jordyn and Austin’s summer couples session.
If you’re getting married look no further for the dream team- for photography fill out my contact form here and for wedding planning and coordinating check out Sofi with Philosofi Celebrations
You have found the person you know you want to spend the rest of your life with and be married to! You’ve picked out the ring, now what?! Don’t worry, I have created this super awesome blog post on Planning the Perfect Proposal in 5 easy steps to help!
Step 1 – Find the right moment
First, Making sure you both are on the same page and are ready to take this next step in the relationship is key. Once you’re sure you’re both ready find a time that feels right- don’t rush the proposal.
Step 2 – Pick the perfect location
If you have a place that is sentimental or meaningful to your relationship, go there. If not then choose somewhere pretty- a garden, a rooftop, a city landmark. Stumped for ideas? I can help with that too!
Step 3 – Hire a Photographer to capture this moment
This is going to be one of the most special moments of your lives together, hire a professional to capture it. Photos of this once in a lifetime event are priceless!
Step 4 – Surprise them!
Keep this moment private (unless your S.O. has always wanted a public proposal and trust me they will have mentioned it if they do haha!). Even if their picking up on hints don’t spill all the details!
Step 5 – Have family waiting off site for a surprise celebratory party!
The answer was yes! So for an extra awesome spin, have family and friends in another room or at the next location for a second surprise! Engagement parties are so much fun!
Natalie & Garrett, our proposal couple in this post:
Garrett and Natalie met 3 years ago when they both worked at the same law office. Natalie and I’s friendship goes way back to college, ever since we were in the same sorority! Garrett knew how much Natalie loved my photography so when we starting planning their proposal he reached out to make sure I could be there for it!
He asked me for tips and ideas on locations he was considering, and decided on the rooftop bar because it would be more private and it had such an amazing view. And so, on Friday December 13th, Garrett graduated from college. After the ceremony he asked Natalie to go get a drink with him by themselves before they would meet their families for dinner.
Haha Natalie was so confused as to why they were going by themselves but she agreed to go anyway. When they got up to the roof Garrett was super nervous and excited. As they were taking in the view Garrett held Natalie’s hands. He told her how much he loved her, and got down on one knee. She said YES! Both of their families then came outside to surprise Natalie and celebrate!
Love this post on Planning the Perfect Proposal in 5 Easy Steps?
Check out another one of my favorite post, The Benefits of doing a first look!
