best photo locations in kansas city
If you are looking for the best photo locations in Kansas City for your engagement session, your family shoot, or your bridal party photos, this is a list of some of the most popular locations I keep coming back to.
I am Etienne, a documentary wedding photographer based in Lee's Summit. Over the years I have shot several times in these places, in different kinds of light and weather. What follows is organized by theme, because that is how I imagine it will be the most helpful to you.
Downtown Lee's Summit
Union Station
West Bottoms
The Country Club Plaza
Union Station
West Bottoms
The Country Club Plaza
This is a nice place to wander around in sort of a treasure hunt for interesting wall art. From a very impressive wall art on a full 3 story building to a smaller alley that is looking a little trashy, there are some for every taste. Some popular wall art features the Chiefs, Royals, I love KC, and we can even find some immaculate red brick walls. If you have a very specific wall art you like, the time of day might be worth looking at to see if the wall will be in the shade or not. In the shade, the light will be more even between you and the art. In the sun the color of the wall art will pop more but that sun might bother you or cast unflattering shadows on you. Morning or evening sun could add a little drama. If you are not too picky on the wall art, then we will just adapt to the light as we walk around.
West Bottoms
The Country Club Plaza
Downtown Lee's Summit
I live nearby and it is much smaller so I know it better than Crossroads. A historic old-brick downtown with smaller buildings, storefronts with character, and a few wall art like in Kansas City. They just redid the farmer market and made a modern walking-only block that is a little different with a white structure. There are some nice coffee shops, restaurants, and bars that change from the usual franchise we see everywhere. So far, every time we asked they let me take photos on their property for some nice candid shoots. A nice way to get a treat, a little rest, and some good photos.
West Bottoms
The Country Club Plaza
Downtown Lee's Summit
Union Station
This is an iconic Kansas City backdrop. Beautiful from the outside, especially at night. Red or Blue depending on which KC team is winning. Shooting inside is where it gets more interesting. It requires a photo permit that is easy to get at the ticket counter. In theory that gives us access to the balcony but I had one time where the security crew did not want to let us in. The balcony access is not always granted, so we should confirm before we go.
During Christmas time, Union Station is at its best. The giant Christmas tree is up inside, no permit needed. If we shoot at Union Station in December, we should keep going to the Hallmark Christmas Market at Crown Center Square. Walking distance from Union Station through a warm glass tube over the traffic. Two of the greatest Christmas backdrops in Kansas City in one session.
The Country Club Plaza
Downtown Lee's Summit
Union Station
West Bottoms
Old, almost abandoned factories, warehouses, and freight buildings. If we are lucky a train will cross in the middle of our photoshoot. Painted wall art, old doors, bricks, an old car or an old military car, there is a unique atmosphere from that place. We can play with the famous bridge on 12th Street. I like to silhouette you in an arch with the building well lighted in the background as something different from the photos we usually see of that place.
Union Station
West Bottoms
The Country Club Plaza
The reason I moved to the USA is because I met an American woman in Seville, Spain. That area was inspired by this Spanish city, so you could be in for a story about my life if we go there together. The place is unique but not always easy to make it feel like you are in Spain or have a photo where we can feature the entire building, as it is hard to remove the omnipresent cars from the photos. The fountains are interesting and more close-up photos with some building details or doors are more interesting. The canal and the bridge with the flags are good options for variety. During the art fair in September the place is crowded with people and there are good live music concerts. During the Christmas holiday, the lights can be an interesting option.
A modern architectural landmark with 2 sides for 2 different moods. The north side is about the curved stainless steel building, gorgeous when the sun is low and the light catches the curves. The south side is more about those massive strings that run to the ground, and as a bonus a view of the Crossroads district. This place is great if you want the type of photos where the awe-inspiring scenery is as much of a subject as your portrait. It can also be a great place at nighttime as it is usually interestingly lit.
This is the best view of Union Station and the downtown skyline in the city and why it is so popular. The wall to protect you from falling limits some photo options (like the full body portrait or a great view of Union Station) but is great for upper body portraits. Using different lenses, I can make the downtown be super far away or close by for different effects. For a nice view of Union Station it is better to go down the stairs and be in the grass field, and catch a few photos on the stairs. Sunset is a really nice moment to be there. Also works at blue hour when the town lights up. Midday summer, the heat is painful for most.
Home of the Scout statue, a bronze figure of a Native American on horseback with the downtown skyline behind him. The city skyline is nice from there, and it is very close to the Liberty Memorial. The park itself was pretty dirty last time I went, so a walk-through the day before to check might help.
Meadowbrook Park
Unity Village
unity village
The lawn with the giant shuttlecocks is very iconic of that place. The big columns are too. South of the old building we have big trees, wide open space, sculpture, and the museum architecture behind if we turn around. That gives enough opportunity for all usually. We cannot take photos inside for obvious reasons of not disturbing the visitors, and there is no exception even if you work there (I know, I have a bride in that case). On the other hand they let us take photos for free outside and it is actually unique and nice enough to mention it.
meadowbrook park in prairie village
A newer park with a modern pavilion, walking paths, and open green space. Good mix of built structure, a lake, and nature in one location. Obviously it is very pretty in fall. Nice if you have some kids as it has a great playgrounds to let them be kids (and catch great candids of them playing) between 2 posed photos. Bonus: you can charge your electric car for free while we take photos.
unity village
This place has fabulous fountains and gorgeous flowers. Some old buildings, interesting doors, or European-inspired architecture to mix the photos. And if you need more there is a wide open space garden or a walking nature trail. The photo permit is $100.
This place changes with the seasons and it is beautiful. Mostly around the lake, the garden has different themes. There is even a miniature train and a nice fountain next to the modern building for some other photo types. Wildflowers in spring, deep green in summer, color in fall, and in winter there is massive Christmas lighting. Small entry fee, worth it.
A little like Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, this place changes with the seasons and is very well maintained. You are in for a nice walk with multiple photo opportunities and different themes as we walk the garden. The special treat is the church that is made of wood and glass, definitely a nice and different architecture that gives interesting light scenarios to explore together.
Those lakes have opportunities for pictures on the east and west shore. Sounds basic but it is rare around here. That means for the morning or evening light when it is the most interesting to take photos. Longview shores are more wild.
I have not shot a client session here yet, only my own family, but I love it as an idea. It is a preserved 1800s village with period buildings, wooden fences, and open fields. If you want a session that feels like it stepped out of a different century, this is unmatched in the metro. It requires a photo permit and is run by volunteers so it is not open year-round.
The suggestions above are not exhaustive, and honestly, the best location is not the most beautiful one, it is the one that means something to you. The bar where you got engaged. The park you take walks in every Sunday. The kitchen where you cook together. Your own front porch. When the location is yours, the photos become yours.
If you want help picking the right spot for your session, that is exactly the kind of conversation I love to have.
