So what happens when you combine cats, champagne, and a really awesome couple? Well, you get a pretty incredible Nelson-Atkins Museum engagement session!

Whenever a couple first hires me, it’s usually either because they like my sunset pictures or they like my obsession with cats (sometimes both). So, when I first met up with Katie and Jon, we bonded over our mutual love of our furry babies. They have three cats, so it was kind of a given that we had to include them in their engagement session.

We met up at their lovely house, which happens to be a few blocks away from the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Typically cats are afraid of strangers, but not these kitties. They greeted me with open arms…or should I say paws? After they realized I wasn’t there to only give them treats, a couple of them fought back, but we were still able to get some pretty awesome lifestyle portraits.

After including the kitties, we went over to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, which was absolutely packed. With such a perfect Fall day, this wasn’t surprising. We had to work around quite a few other photographers, but that was no problem at all. We were still able to get all the iconic Kansas City images despite the crowds.

Since Jon is a bartender, his one request for the session was we had to pop a bottle of champagne. So, after the Nelson-Atkins Museum, we headed over to a park in their neighborhood to get the party started.

These two were so fun to work with! Their love was evident, and I loved watching Katie giggle at anything Jon would throw her way. Thanks so much for hanging out with me and I can’t wait until your October wedding. Here’s your full preview!

Hear from the couple –

How did he propose?

In August 2019 we were on vacation in the south of France. We were out for dinner in Avignon, in a French bistro next to St. Pierre Cathedral enjoying an incredible meal talking about how well we were traveling together (this was our first big trip together), when Jon asked if I’d want to be his travel partner forever. My jaw dropped and I asked “Are you proposing to me right now?” He said no, that he knew he needed a ring for that, and knew I was picky enough that he should let me pick it out. When we returned home we picked out the ring, and he told me it would take a few weeks to get the ring sized and the stone set. Little did I know, it only took two days, and while making dinner in our kitchen a few days later, we decided to open a bottle of wine from our trip, and he he pulled the ring out of his pocket.

Question for the bride: what do you love most about him?

I love how wonderfully thoughtful and caring Jon is. He knows I don’t like cheesy big gestures, but he will often do little things to show me he cares – from a random text telling me how much he love me, to folding the laundry when he knows I have too much work to even think about doing this. He will never admit to it, but he’s a softy 🙂

Question for the groom: what do you love most about her?

Katie knows exactly what I need from a partner and has since day one and I love that about her. She knows when to give me space, and if I’m upset, she looks me in the eyes and says “I love you.” She’s thoughtful, considerate and most importantly patient.