Kansas City metro photo locations
If there is a location where you’ve always wanted to do a photo session or have some ideas about what might work well, I’m always up for it! Some of the best options are places that are personal to you for some reason and I always love exploring new spots.
Don’t be afraid to even reach out to a wedding or other venue to ask if they would allow us to shoot there… you’d be surprised at how willing some of them are (for example, this maternity session I did at the Grand Hall at Power & Light).
However, if you aren’t sure where to start or what would look good and just need a little information, that’s what I’m here for! Check out these photo location ideas for the Kansas City Metro area (both popular requests and unique/off the beaten path options). Keep in mind that for Premium Sessions (including engagement sessions - see my Investment page for specifics), you can select two different locations within a reasonable distance. Shoot me an email at hello@kira-whitney.com if you need help determining which locations work well together for the same session.
This is the most iconic overlook of the Kansas City Skyline; one of those views that never gets old and never seems to look quite the same thanks to the ever-changing lighting and ever-growing city. For portraits, this location is best on a cloudy day or right around sunset. The massive concrete walls surrounding the overlook, along with the stairs down the sides to the lawn in front of Union Station give plenty of options for simple, plain backdrops with more opportunity for good lighting as many areas are shaded and positioning is more forgiving.
LIBERTY MEMORIAL
Rain or shine, this is an incredible backdrop for photos and is also very iconic for Kansas City. The simple textures on the outside make for clean, light images and there are views of the downtown skyline from street level on either side as well. If it’s warm enough for the fountain to be running out front, you’ll be sure to get some amazing variety in your images. If you want to shoot inside, they just charge a $25 fee for portrait sessions and $75 for wedding parties (I’m happy to get this for you ahead of time and just add it to your invoice so we can start shooting right away upon arrival!). I always call in advance to make sure there won’t be any major events going on inside that would prohibit us from using the space or getting stunning images.
UNION STATION
Winter is the very best time for a photo session in Crown Center square, while the Mayor’s Christmas Tree is still up and the lights sparkle on the rows of trees. You could even bundle up, lace up some skates, and get some lifestyle-type images on the ice skating rink for a little something extra.
CROWN CENTER
The Entertainment District for Kansas City, this is the place to go if you want the full city feel, car headlights, flashing building signs and all! I have fallen in love with the spot on the intersection of Main Street and Truman where you can see the Main Street sign in the background. This is best RIGHT after the sun dips below the horizon so that it’s no longer casting a shadow across the subjects’ faces. If you walk East along Truman, you can get a little different view of the buildings and one of the murals as well.
POWER & LIGHT DISTRICT
This is another great view of the city skyline, but I will caution that it looks quite a bit smaller for portraits from this angle. It can also tend to get very windy here without much protection from trees or buildings, so just be sure to have a backup option in mind if you choose this spot!
KANSAS CITY SCOUT
If you like an urban, historic look (aka lots of massive, slightly disheveled brick buildings and an immaculate bridge), the West Bottoms is the place for you! If you prefer urban textures over trees and fields, this area is a great option. It can work well to start here and end in the Power & Light District for more sparkly lights and a fancier feel!
HISTORIC WEST BOTTOMS
While you aren’t allowed to take portraits inside, the lawn and outside of the building provide some amazing options for a variety of images. They have a water feature on one side, large, stone steps, and tree-lined paths, as well as a simple, light style exterior texture for the buildings (my favorite!).
NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
Known as the best high-end shopping area in the city, the Country Club Plaza has swoon-worthy, Spanish-inspired architecture that really stands out from anything else in the metro. The best time of year to shoot here is in the winter when the iconic Christmas lights line the buildings. You can even get to the top of several different rooftops (parking garages). Try the door to the right of the Made in KC Marketplace and on the South side of the Apple store to find my favorites ;) The popular blue-tiled staircase can be found right next to the H&M.
COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA
The Crossroads District is the arts district for Kansas City. There are so many cute shops and little alleys (including one covered in ivy) to get an urban feel without the sky-scraper type look. The Kauffman Center for Performing Arts is one of the most photogenic buildings in the city with its unique shape and shiny exterior. It even has a couple areas with trees right around it for a little variety.
KANSAS CITY CROSSROADS & THE KAUFFMAN CENTER
Are coffee shops special to you? They certainly are to me as my husband and I spend a lot of time working, planning, and dreaming together about the future at our favorite spots. In my opinion, the best coffee shops for portraits are Messenger in the Crossroads District and Cafe Equinox in Shawnee - which actually has all of their seating in a greenhouse (although both of these places are EXTREMELY busy at peak times so weekdays or Sunday evenings seem to work best to have enough space to shoot). Monarch Coffee on Broadway is also stunning, not usually as busy and it has an extremely simple, yet elegant design. I love all the white walls, huge windows, and black & white tiled floors at Monarch… it’s the perfect spot to wear a fun pop of color! Other photogenic shops include Kilo Charlie (in the Hotel Phillips), Hi-Hat Coffee (really just for the outside of the cute building), and The Roasterie Cafe just West of the Plaza (2250 W 47th Pl, Westwood, KS 66205).
COFFEE SHOPS (MESSENGER, MONARCH COFFEE OR CAFE EQUINOX)
The third largest, but possibly the most well-known park in Kansas City, Loose offers a variety of backdrops including a rose garden with adorable terraces, multiple bridges, a pond with fountains, a variety of tree types and a trail around the perimeter. While I would avoid weekends with beautiful weather, especially before a big event like prom (speaking from experience), even if it is busy, you are guaranteed to get some good photos simply because of how big the area it is. It is also centrally located for most people, making it an easy meeting spot (barely South of the Country Club Plaza).
LOOSE PARK
This adorable little town is just South of Loose Park. If you like the unique options of neighborhood streets or stunning, stone churches, this is the area to be! There is also an adorable greenhouse that is a hidden gem in this area called John’s Greenhouse. The fee to rent it out for portrait sessions is $60 per hour (1 hour minimum). What a fun, unique option for winter since all the trees outside are dead!
BROOKSIDE & JOHN’S GREENHOUSE
Southeast of the Country Club Plaza... Swope Park holds the title of the "largest park in Kansas City." If you just need a lot of space with trees and a few trails, then this is the place for you. There is a small pond/lake, but it isn't nearly as photogenic as others in this city. If you choose this option, I would suggest the Lakeside Nature Center parking lot as a good meeting point. There is a trail to the left of the building that winds down around the back and some open space just past the right side of the building.
SWOPE PARK
I love this park because it’s huge and has some great spots for portraits if you’re looking for a nature feel. My favorite area is by Shelter 10 because it’s tucked back just far enough off the main road that it stays pretty quiet and less trafficked. There is also a large pond that would be great at sunset.
HERITAGE PARK
Sprawling trails and a beautiful lake, this is the perfect spot for nature-lovers! It’s large enough that it’s unlikely you’ll have to fight other photographers/clients for a good spot. If you bring your pup to be in any photos with you, you can spoil him/her by taking her to the amazing dog park after your session (there is even a dog beach!).
SHAWNEE MISSION PARK
If further South is more convenient and accessible for you, Antioch Park is a great option for an outdoorsy session. It’s well spread-out, less busy than Loose Park and has a ton of trees (that look incredible in the Fall especially), a pond, and bridges.
ANTIOCH PARK (IN MERRIAM)
I bet you didn’t know there was a waterfall in Olathe! I didn’t either until I heard the rumor and went to check it out for myself. Turns out, it’s real! Don’t get your hopes too high, it is in Kansas, after all, but this is an off-the-beaten-path option that could make for some really fun, unique images! I am dying to do a session here! The surrounding area has a lake and trees so there would be other options for variety beyond the small waterfall.
CEDAR LAKE FALLS (OLATHE)
The downtown square in Paola is a great option if you want an Urban feel with unique textures but don’t want to go all the way to downtown KC. There are some great nature options close by as well if you want some good variety in your session.
DOWNTOWN PAOLA
Just a short 12 minute drive from downtown Paola, Hillsdale Lake provides miles of greenery and water for natural images. These two locations work very well together in the same session.
HILLSDALE LAKE
I haven’t had the pleasure of shooting here yet, but it looks like a very unique and elegant option for a session in this area! Look up “Unity Village Weddings” on Google Maps for more photos. We would just need to double check on their photography policy for portraits before showing up. Just a 7 minute drive from downtown Lees Summit, these could be a wonderful combination for one session.
UNITY VILLAGE (IN LEES SUMMIT)
This location has very woodsy feel with more pine-like trees than most places in KC. There is also some great variety with open fields and more typical Missouri foliage since it’s such a large area.This is located 25 minutes East of Downtown Kansas City in Blue Springs so it’s a little ways out there, but it’s worth the drive!
BURR OAK WOODS NATURE CENTER
EAST OF DOWNTOWN KC (BLUE SPRINGS)
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