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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
Anna and James wanted a naturally beautiful location for their summer engagement photos, Burr Oak Nature Center was the perfect choice. Within the park there are tons of great spots for photos. Fields of grass, wild flowers, and the stunning tall trees. It gave us a wide variety of options to mix it up if we wanted to.
Anna and James are getting married at The Hawthorn House in September. Their engagement session was the perfect way for us to get to know each other before their wedding day. Phone calls, Zoom meetings, and quick coffee dates are great, but if you get the chance to have your photographer actual photograph you before your wedding day, you definitely don’t want to pass that up.
Engagement photos give you the opportunity to practice in front of the camera. You get to learn how your photographer interacts with their couples, how the direct, and how they achieve their style. Engagement sessions are also awesome from the photographers perspective because they get to find all of your best angles, notice all the adorable ways you and your partner interact with each other, and they get to hear a little bit more of your love story.
Anna and James have been dating for over nine years! They fell for each other while they were in high school and have been madly in love ever since. They are so ready to get married, they’ve known for a long time that they are meant to be together; they’re excited to make it official.
If you want a great outdoor location for your engagement photos check out these spots that are similar to Burr Oak Nature Center; Shawnee Mission Park, Loose Park, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.
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.
