Where to Take Engagement Photos in Kansas City
Shortly after getting engaged, you probably begin wondering where to take engagement photos in Kansas City? You'll find a full list and more details below, but here's a preview of the locations on the list.
- Antioch Park
- Loose Park
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Sar Ko Par Trails
- The Colonnade
Whenever I'm working with a new bride, one of her first questions is always 'where should we take our engagement photos?' My answer is always the same. I have a list of locations I can show you, but choose a place that means something to you. If you love Kansas City, maybe choose a location overlooking the skyline. If you're a nature lover, a park might be best for you. Each of these locations caters to a specific type of couple and I can't tell you exactly what the right location is. But, I can recommend a few awesome locations based on my past sessions. Have somewhere else in mind? Let me know! I love exploring new locations. Half of these locations came to be on this list because a bride mentioned it.
Where is your favorite place for a Kansas City engagement session? Let me know in the comments!
In no particular order, here are the 17 best locations for engagement photos in Kansas City!
Here's where to take engagement photos in Kansas City!
1. Antioch Park
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Special Features: Multiple bridges, pond, stepping stones in water, rose garden
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring or Summer
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who love the outdoors and want to take pictures surrounded by beautiful flowers.
Description: Antioch Park is an absolutely gorgeous park for the couple who wants an engagement session at a laid back park without the crazy hustle of the city. The park is oftentimes very empty, allowing us to have a quiet engagement session without worrying about competing with park patrons.
View Sessions From Antioch Park
2. Liberty Memorial
Location: Downtown Kansas City
Special Features: WWII Monument, scenic view of the city, beautiful architecture, benches, some greenery.
Pet Friendly: Not recommended
Best Season: Year round, but because of the high ground, it can get windy.
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who love Kansas City and want a panoramic view of the city.
Description: Liberty Memorial is a fantastic engagement session location for anyone who loves Kansas City. You'll get a view of the entire skyline while still having an opportunity to capture golden light peaking through the trees. Because of the high ground, Liberty Memorial is also an amazing location to witness a gorgeous sunset.
View Sessions From Liberty Memorial
3. Burr Oak Woods
Location: Blue Springs, Missouri
Special Features: Tall trees, forest-eque, evergreens, tall grass.
Pet Friendly: No
Best Season: Fall, Spring. The trees block in heat and cold, so if it's a very cold day, it'll be about 10 degrees colder in the trees.
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who love nature and want to be transported to another state.
Description: Burr Oak Woods is such a unique location for engagement sessions because we don't have anything else like it nearby. The most iconic part, the line of trees, can get very busy with tons of photographers trying to grab the perfect shot.
View Sessions From Burr Oak Woods
4. The Plaza
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Special Features: Kansas City architecture, fountains, river, bridges, cool stairs.
Pet Friendly: Not recommended
Best Season: Year round.
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who love iconic Kansas City and want to enjoy beautiful architecture.
Description: The Plaza is perfect for the city-loving couple. While there is tons of architecture, you also can stroll through Brush Creek and capture more of a park feel giving the Plaza the best of both worlds. It can get busy on weekends though, specifically during winter time when the lights are shining. If you want a totally Kansas City image, schedule your session when the Plaza lights are on. It might be cold, but it will be worth it.
5. Loose Park
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Special Features: Rose Garden, multiple bridges, cool trees, fountain, lake
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Late Spring is the best time to see the Rose Garden in bloom
Good View of Sunset: Sometimes
Best Fit: Couples who want to experience all a Kansas City park has to offer
Description: Loose Park is the biggest park on my list and it is always packed with photographers. The park is big enough to accommodate everyone, but occasionally there is some waiting for people to pass. If you have the patience to deal with the people, it's worth it since you'll experience a Rose Garden unlike anything else in the city.
LOOSE PARK NOW REQUIRES A $25 FEE PER HOUR
6. Sar Ko Par Trails Park
Location: Lenexa, Kansas
Special Features: Barn, gazebo, pond, walking trail
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want a hidden gem of a park with a rustic feel.
Description: Sar Ko Par Trails is the perfect park for any couple who wants a hidden gem. It's located in Lenexa and not often frequented by photographers. The entire park feels very rustic with a red barn and cute gazebo. I would not recommend Sar Ko Par Trails for winter engagement sessions because the entire park will look dead.
View Sessions From Sar Ko Par Trails
7. The West Bottoms
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Special Features: Urban, graffiti, trains, bridge, unique architecture.
Pet Friendly: Not Recommended
Best Season: Year round. It's best to avoid in October because it'll be busy with haunted house goers.
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want to break away from traditional and explore a very industrial part of town.
Description: The West Bottoms is perfect for nontraditional couples. You won't find flowers or pretty greenery, but you will find unique buildings and graffiti covered alleys.
View Sessions From the West Bottoms
8. Parkville Nature Sanctuary
Location: Parkville, Missouri
Special Features: Waterfall, nature, hiking trails, woods
Pet Friendly: No
Best Season: Spring, Fall.
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want to be immersed in nature and climb a waterfall. Only for the most adventurous couples since the hike is difficult and it's easy to get lost.
Description: Parkville Nature Sanctuary is the most nature-filled location on this list. You walk through the woods on a mile trek to a waterfall. Most of the park is pretty deserted, so it's easy to find a quiet location for pictures. Keep in mind, it is not an easy hike and is very dependent on the weather.
View Sessions From Parkville Nature Sanctuary
9. Wells Overlook Park
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Special Features: Greenery, trees, skyview
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who want a beautiful view of the sunset while maintaining the park feel.
Description: Wells Overlook Park is a hidden gem right outside Lawrence. It's perfect to see a panoramic view of the city. While the park isn't very big, it's perfect for laid back couples who want to see a gorgeous sunset. Side note, don't use Apple Maps to get here. You will get lost. Also note, there is an Overlook Park in Lawrence. It is a completely different park on the opposite side of town.
View Sessions From Wells Overlook Park
10. Lowenstein Park
Location: Lee's Summit, Missouri
Special Features: Greenery, bridges, small waterfall
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want a laid back yet beautiful park.
Description: Lowenstein Park is one of my favorite hidden gems east of the city. If you are looking to stay in the Lee's Summit area, this is a beautiful option for your engagement session. It's always empty enough to take beautiful photos without working around crowds while still getting the classic park feel.
View Sessions From Lowenstein Park
11. The Colonnade
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Special Features: Cool architecture
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Year round
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want a unique location in the heart of the city.
Description: The Colonnade is a very special hidden location close to downtown KCMO. There isn't a whole lot of versatility, but it's the perfect location for couples who want to stay in KC while still having unique images.
View Sessions From The Colonnade
12. Shawnee Mission Park
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Special Features: Greenery, bridges, lake, beach
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who want a park setting with lots of versatility.
Description: Shawnee Mission Park is a great option if you would like a park setting a lot of diversity. From greenery to bridges to boat ramps, you can really get any setting you want within the park. It is large and exploring can take a while, so be sure to go in with a game plan.
View Sessions From Shawnee Mission Park
13. Wyandotte County Park
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
Special Features: Greenery, lake, playground, stone house
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who want a large park while staying away from the mainstream locations.
Description: Wyandotte County Lake combines the best of several locations. The large park encompasses James P Davis Hall which lends itself to be an awesome backdrop for photos. With the architecture of James P Davis and the park feel of the rest of Wyandotte County Lake, you have an awesome park for all your engagement session needs.
View Sessions From Wyandotte County Lake
14. Lake Lenexa
Location: Lenexa, Kansas
Special Features: Greenery, lake, playground, wood stepping stones
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Year round
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who want a park off the beaten path
Description: Lake Lenexa, also known as Black Hoof Park at Lake Lenexa, has some beautiful scenery. Unlike most parks, this one can even be good during winter months because of the long line of evergreens.
View Sessions From Lake Lenexa
15. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Special Features: Classic Kansas City architecture, tree lines, walking trail, shuttlecocks
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want a classic Kansas City location that mixes architecture with greenery.
Description: The Nelson-Atkins Museum is a wonderful location for those couples who love Kansas City, but also want the opportunity to have a bit of diversity. This engagement session can be packed and parking is occasionally a nightmare. Be aware, it is free to have a session here but photographers must check in with security.
16. Downtown Lawrence
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Special Features: Graffiti, ivy, colored walls
Pet Friendly: Not recommended
Best Season: Year round
Good View of Sunset: No
Best Fit: Couples who want a more urban feel without venturing into KCMO.
Description: Downtown Lawrence feels very much like the West Bottoms in some parts without all the traffic of Kansas City. Typically I start at the train station and just wander. You'll find several walls of ivy and different types of graffiti up every alley.
View Sessions From Downtown Lawrence
17. Someplace Unique to You
Location: Wherever your heart takes you
Special Features: All of them
Pet Friendly: Yes
Best Season: Yes
Good View of Sunset: Yes
Best Fit: Couples who want a session that is truly and uniquely you.
Description: So I have this list. This list will work for some people, but occasionally you want someplace different that will speak to you as a couple. I'm open to any ideas you have! I've done a session at an apple orchard with kittens, on family land, in a bouncy castle, on a beach in Florida, etc. There are no restrictions to where we can do your session, so let's discover somewhere new together!
Ready to book your session? Engagement sessions are included in every wedding booking. Get in touch now!