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5 Tips to Feel Confident in Front of the Camera
Let’s be real—being in front of a camera can feel awkward if you’re not used to it. But here’s the thing: confidence isn’t about knowing exactly what to do. It’s about feeling comfortable, having fun, and letting go of the pressure to be “perfect.” So, if you’re gearing up for a session and feeling a little nervous, here are five tips to help you feel like your best, most confident self!
1. Wear Something That Feels Like You
The best outfit is one that makes you feel amazing! If you’re constantly adjusting your shirt or fidgeting with a dress that feels too tight, it’s going to show in your photos. Stick to pieces that you love, feel comfortable in, and match your style. And if you’re unsure, neutrals and classic colors always look timeless!
2. Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera
If you’re doing a couples or family session, shift your attention to the people you’re with. Laugh, talk, and interact naturally—those moments always make for the best photographs. Even if it’s a solo session, try to think about something that makes you happy instead of overanalyzing your poses.
3. Keep Moving
Standing stiffly can make you feel way more awkward. Instead, embrace movement! Walk, twirl, sway, or even dance a little. Small actions help you feel more at ease and create gorgeous, natural-looking images. Plus, movement brings out your true personality, and that’s what I want to capture!
4. Trust Your Photographer
You don’t have to know how to pose—that’s what I’m here for! I’ll guide you every step of the way, giving direction while keeping things relaxed. Just take a deep breath and let yourself enjoy the experience. The best moments happen when you’re simply being you.
5. Embrace the Candid Moments
Some of the most beautiful photographs happen in between poses—when you’re laughing, fixing your hair, or sharing a quiet moment. So don’t stress about being “perfect.” The best images capture feeling, not perfection!
You’ve Got This!
At the end of the day, your session is about celebrating you—your love, your personality, and your story. So take a deep breath, relax, and have fun with it! Confidence comes from feeling good in the moment, and I’ll be right there to make sure you do. Ready to book your session? Let’s make some magic happen!
Valentine’s season is all about love, and what better way to celebrate than with an engagement session that’s as unique as your relationship? If candlelit dinners and roses aren’t your thing, why not raise a glass and capture your love in a place that feels like you? Whether you’re craft cocktail lovers, whiskey connoisseurs, or just enjoy a good local brew, incorporating your favorite Kansas City bar or distillery into your engagement session is a fun way to add personality to your photographs!
Sip, Laugh, and Capture the Love
Some of my favorite engagement sessions happen in places where couples feel relaxed and truly themselves. That’s why I love sessions at Kansas City’s best bars and distilleries. There’s something about clinking glasses, cozy booths, and moody lighting that sets the stage for romantic, candid moments. Plus, a little pre-session cocktail never hurts to shake off the camera jitters!
Favorite Spots to Toast to Love
If you’re looking for the perfect location to incorporate drinks into your engagement session, here are a few KC gems that always deliver stunning photographs:
Union Horse Distillery – With its rustic charm and rich whiskey tones, Union Horse makes for a warm and inviting backdrop. Think whiskey barrels, rich wood textures, and an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and refined.
Lifted Spirits Distillery – This place is a vibe! The industrial-chic space has plenty of character, and their handcrafted spirits add an extra layer of fun to your shoot. Plus, their cocktails? Chef’s kiss.
River Bluff Brewing – If you’re after a laid-back, intimate setting with exposed brick and a vintage feel, River Bluff’s is the way to go. The soft lighting and cozy seating make for effortlessly romantic shots.
P.S. Speakeasy – Hidden behind a bookcase in the Hotel Phillips, this moody underground bar oozes Gatsby-era glamour! Dim lighting, luxe décor, and craft cocktails? It’s a dream for an engagement session with an air of mystery and romance.
Brown and Loe – This historic spot in the River Market combines classic architecture with a modern touch. Its old school bar top with plush bar stools and neon signs make for a laid back setting with a sophisticated twist.
Make it Yours
No matter which spot you choose, your session should feel personal. Maybe it’s where you had your first date or your go-to weekend hangout. Maybe it’s just a place with a killer Old Fashioned! Either way, it’s about capturing your love in a way that’s true to you.
So, if you’re ready to mix a little fun into your engagement session, let’s grab a drink (or two) and make some magic happen!
Engagement sessions are all about capturing the unique love story of each couple! Bailey and Kevin’s rose garden session at Loose Park was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the glow of a golden evening, this session showcased their love, laughter, and chemistry.
Bailey and Kevin chose a wardrobe that perfectly complemented the soft, romantic setting of the rose garden. Their light neutrals—tans, creams, and whites—felt timeless and elegant. Bailey’s dress added a delightful pop of color with its subtle pattern, enhancing the warmth of the setting. The golden hour light illuminated the park, casting a dreamy glow that made every moment feel intimate and heartfelt.
Loose Park is a treasure trove of stunning backdrops, making it an ideal location for engagement photographs. The rose garden offered a vibrant, romantic setting, while the lake reflected the soft evening light. Stonework columns and stairs added a touch of classic elegance, and the rich brown bridge brought depth and charm to the session. Gorgeous greenery surrounded the couple, creating a natural frame that highlighted their connection beautifully.
Bailey and Kevin’s ease in front of the camera made the session a joy to capture. Their playful personalities and genuine comfort with each other translated effortlessly into their photographs. Whether they were sharing a quiet moment by the lake or laughing on the bridge, every interaction felt authentic and full of love.
Making the Most of Your Engagement Session:
- Choose a location that reflects your style: Loose Park’s variety of backdrops offered something special for Bailey and Kevin, making their session truly unique.
- Plan your wardrobe carefully: Neutral tones like tans, creams, and whites photograph beautifully and complement natural settings. Adding a pop of color, like Bailey’s dress pattern, can make your images stand out.
- Time your session wisely: Golden hour—the hour before sunset—creates soft, flattering light that adds warmth and romance to your photographs.
- Relax and enjoy the process: Bailey and Kevin’s comfort and fun-loving energy made their session feel effortless. Trust your photographer, and focus on enjoying the experience with your partner.
Engagement sessions like this one remind me of the joy and excitement that come with celebrating love. Bailey and Kevin’s beautiful connection, paired with Loose Park’s stunning scenery, resulted in a collection of timeless photographs that they can cherish forever!
An engagement session at Hotel Phillips in downtown Kansas City is the perfect mix of classic, romantic, and timeless charm. Gabi and Sal’s session captured all these elements beautifully, with every detail adding to the moody elegance of the evening!
The Style
Gabi looked breathtaking in her white satin boat neck dress, featuring a chic knot detail at the waist. Sal complemented her perfectly in a classy baby blue suit paired with a crisp white shirt and brown shoes. Their wardrobe choices brought a sophisticated yet modern vibe that paired effortlessly with the warm, moody lighting of the hotel.
The Mood
The session started in the hotel bar, where the dim lighting and rich tones created an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Gabi and Sal shared quiet moments that felt straight out of a classic film. From there, we explored the hotel’s vintage photo booth, which added a playful yet nostalgic touch. The laughter and closeness these two shared in that cozy space truly brought their love to life.
Next, we moved to the library, a hidden gem within Hotel Phillips. The soft lighting and quiet atmosphere made it feel like they had stepped into their own world. It was the perfect spot for intimate moments and tender exchanges.
Getting Creative
One of the most fun parts of the session was capturing elevator photographs! Elevators are surprisingly great for showing connection and personality, and Gabi and Sal’s chemistry shone through in every frame. We also couldn’t resist using the baggage cart, which added a playful, 90’s Nancy Meyers vibe to the session. The mix of elegance and fun felt so true to their love story.
Finally, we stepped outside for some iconic downtown Kansas City photographs. The historic architecture and city lights provided a stunning backdrop, proving that downtown hotels are ideal for engagement sessions. With the versatility of indoor and outdoor locations, every moment of Gabi and Sal’s session felt unique and magical.
The Hotel Phillips delivered a moody, romantic atmosphere that matched Gabi and Sal’s love perfectly. This session was a beautiful reminder of how personal and meaningful engagement sessions can be.
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.
Capturing beautiful moments between couples is an art. Here are ten portrait photography poses for couples that help to create stunning and memorable photographs.
1. The Classic Embrace
The classic embrace pose is timeless and romantic. Have the couple stand close, wrapping their arms around each other.
2. Forehead to Forehead
Forehead to forehead poses create an intimate and sweet moment. The couple gently touches foreheads, sharing a quiet connection.
3. Walking Hand in Hand
A candid walking pose is natural and relaxed. The couple walks hand in hand, looking at each other or the camera.
4. The Piggyback Ride
The piggyback ride is playful and fun. One partner gives the other a piggyback ride, creating joyful and spontaneous expressions.
5. Sitting Side by Side
Have the couple sit side by side, either on the ground or a bench. This pose is cozy and comfortable.
6. The Dip
The dip pose is dramatic and romantic. One partner dips the other backward, creating a sense of movement and passion.
7. The Lift
The lift pose is dynamic and joyful. One partner lifts the other off the ground, capturing a moment of pure happiness.
8. The Nose Nuzzle
Nose nuzzle poses are intimate and tender. The couple gently touches noses, sharing a soft and loving moment.
Making the Most of Poses
These poses can be adapted to suit different styles and personalities. Encourage couples to relax and enjoy the moment. Natural interactions often lead to the best photographs. It’s important to capture the love and connection between the couple. Communication and comfort are key to achieving stunning results.
Great poses for couples can turn a portrait session into a beautiful experience. These ten poses are perfect for creating memorable couple photographs. Whether classic or playful, each pose tells a unique love story.
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!
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.
