Kansas City Photography

A Romantic SURPRISE PROPOSAL Picnic!

October 10, 2021October 11, 2021 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots, Surprise Proposals

A few years ago, these amazing people decided to give online dating a try because, (and we all agree), meeting people these days is just hard. Especially meeting the right people. Except not for these two. They matched, and there was no looking back!

After three and a half years of eating good food together, exploring KC, and drinking all the wine … Ty planned out the sweetest surprise proposal; he was ready to ask Emily to marry him.

He coordinated all of the details, including hiring us (months ago!) to be there to capture these moments! As the day approached, Ty followed through on every detail, including making sure Emily was picture ready without knowing that she was going on anymore than a glamorous picnic date with her lovely boyfriend.

The details came together perfectly! On October 9th, 2021, while enjoying a warm, sunny, beautiful afternoon in Loose Park, Ty got down on one knee, asked Emily to marry him … and she said “yes!”

And from the couple themselves – “We both love how well our personalities work with each other. No matter the situation, we’re both always present to provide advice, support, or dumb jokes with each other.”

We’ll be keeping an eye out for your wedding date announcement! 😉

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A SURPRISE Princess Serenity Cosplay Session!

February 10, 2021 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

It was 25-degrees, but that didn’t stop Abby and me from surprising Jennifer with a SURPRISE photo session, despite her attempts to accidentally foil our plans! 😉

Abby (who lives in Florida) reached out to me mid-January about setting up a surprise photo session for her girlfriend over the weekend she’d be in town visiting. She was also making her a HANDMADE and GORGEOUS Princess Serenity gown to wear in said session.

We brainstormed and decided to tell Jen I was hosting a Moonie Meetup (for Sailor Moon fans) at Loose Park (there are some beautiful columns there, which would fit the Princess Serenity aesthetic).

Jen was worried about the cold. I was attempting to make it so she didn’t cancel on attending my fake “Moonie Meetup,” so I offered to move the madeup get together to my house since it was “all people I knew anyway.” She agreed. PHEW. Any time Jennifer would say something, Abby would message me in a panic.

The day finally arrived when Jen and Abby showed up at my house. I met them out in the parking lot, a camera casually strapped around my neck. AND THEN ABBY WHIPPED OUT THE SURPRISE! The moment we’d been waiting for!

THEN, we told her there wasn’t actually a Moonie Meetup … this entire thing was for a surprise photo session, all for her! Abby knocked this Valentine’s surprise out of the park!

Now, to the session itself. It was cold. 20-degrees cold. BUT WE ARE CHAMPIONS! Plus, as I told Abby in our chats … cosplayers and photographers are a touch on the crazy side. 20 degrees is child’s play. 😉

I am so happy the surprise and the session were a moontastic success! I have worked with Jen several times, and actually met Abby through photography as well (at this session below, actually)!

Here’s to many more! One of the greatest things about cosplay — the photos will always be different because the characters are! All of these cosplay sessions are the same person (Jen)! I have so much respect for cosplayers, and their infinite creativity bringing characters to life!

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And a very Happy Valentine’s Day to Jennifer and Abigail!

Featuring: Scattered Roses Cosplay

A Surprise Proposal at Loose Park!

December 21, 2020 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots, Surprise Proposals

Have we mentioned we love surprise proposals yet? Oh, we have? Well, one thing is for sure, they will never, ever, ever get old! We LOVE everything about them. The secret emails, the code words, the excitement and shock when someone gets on a knee … like this Sunday at Loose Park!

Matthew reached out to us December 1, letting us know he had just moved to Kansas City a few months ago with his girlfriend, Angie, who is attending KU. He ordered had already ordered the engagement ring, and was wanting to set up a surprise proposal.

The ring finally made it in on December 19, so we were ready to set the surprise date! Matthew had originally envisioned Penn Valley Park for the proposal, but the day of we ultimately decided on Loose Park!

Once Matthew had the ring, the plan was set in motion. We even exchanged photos so we knew what each other looked like (we don’t get to see each other until surprise proposal happens usually)!

These two lovebirds first met when Matthew watched her dog over Thanksgiving three years ago. When she came back from her trip, to a well pampered pup I am sure, they continued talking!

Matthew fessed up that he’s a wild child (his words!) and said “I love how Angie accepts me for who I am and what I do. Her love is my rock and keeps me grounded!”

They can be goofy together, too, clearly!

We here at Kansas City Photography wish you ALL the best in the world! Props to planning a surprise proposal for Angie! Don’t forget, we do weddings, too! 😉

Want to plan your own surprise proposal? Send us a message!

A Surprise Rooftop Proposal in Downtown Kansas City!

August 22, 2020August 23, 2020 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots, Surprise Proposals

Even though it was their 5-year anniversary, Willie still managed to convince Alisha she wasn’t going to be proposed to that day. All of his hard work certainly paid off, too!

Last week, Willie reached out to me about planning a surprise proposal for his girlfriend of 5 years, Alisha. In his own words to me, he said, “I know, I know…it’s about time!”

He decided on the Rooftop Garden Park in downtown Kansas City. We agreed to meet at 7:20. My second photographer, Alyssa, and I were 30 minutes early. No sooner did we get up to the roof garden did Willie walk in!

As I say with all of my surprise proposal clients, when you arrive, I will not acknowledge you. We can’t give away the surprise! I always instruct my client to walk in front of the camera and just pop down on a knee.

We couldn’t have practiced it better!

Of course, she said “yes!”

Alisha and Willie met 5 years ago in Joplin, Missouri, when Alisha was teaching English. She told me they had an instant connection, and planned their first date at a restaurant called “Instant Karma.”

She said the name of their first date restaurant seemed really fitting! She was right!

“After 2 years together in Joplin, I moved back to KC to start my new job at a new school. We did a year of long distance and then he moved up here with me.”

And now, they’re engaged!!

Alisha told me Willie is the perfect compliment to her type A personality. “He is compassionate, caring, and just the most wonderfully considerate person,” she said.

Willie told me he avoided mentioning any weddings, proposals, or rings all week. He confessed he knew exactly how to get to the rooftop park, but pretended he didn’t when he was taking Alisha to it.

He had actually scouted out the location the week before. He even went over and received her parents blessing to propose the same week!

All of us here at Kansas City Photography wish you the best! We can’t wait to see what wedding plans you both cook up. Don’t forget to keep us in mind. 😉

CONGRATULATIONS, Willie & Alisha!!

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Make sure to follow us on Facebook! Planning your own suprise proposal? Shoot us a message today and we can help!

Our Second Annual Sunflower Sessions!

August 5, 2020August 23, 2020 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

(This event has sold out)

Nothing epitomizes Fall quite like glorious sunflowers. And, said sunflower season is upon us! We are excited to host our second annual sunflower sessions again this year at Brookdale Farms in Eureka.

Last year was such a hit, we doubled our availability, and it’s nearly sold out! We only have a few early morning sessions left — so if you’re interested, contact us today!

This year, KC Photo’s second shooter, Alyssa, will also be helping with the sunflower sessions! This is how we were able to double our bookings!

Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), our sunset sessions sold out within the first day. Last year, the morning sessions were the most popular, but that’s likely due to there not being much of an evening offering. We changed that this year, and people were excited for the option! Although, morning sessions are equally as gorgeous!

I did have one client reach out concerned about the sunflowers “furling” their leaves at night. Sunflowers don’t do this, so we are good to take gorgeous photos no matter the time of day for these sunflowers.

We can’t wait to see everyone on Saturday, August 29th!

Make sure to also follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest!

A Romantic Surprise Proposal With The Kansas City Skyline!

February 18, 2020 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

Jimmy reached out to me a week ago via email seeing if I was available for … his surprise proposal to his girlfriend, Lauren! Eeeeeee!!!! If there’s one thing we love at KCP, it’s a surprise proposal!

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After readily agreeing and setting the date for Saturday, we immediately jumped into trying to figure out a location. Jimmy had at first thought about proposing at the location of their first date, Broadway Arcade, for sentimental value. However, we ultimately decided on the WWI Museum for the scenic view of the Kansas City skyline.

We set a calendar date labeled “brunch,” so Lauren wouldn’t be suspicious if she had his phone, exchanged photos of what each other looked like, and we were set! Well, at least that’s what we had thought …

Fast forward a week to the day of the surprise proposal. I arrived early to scout out the location, and noticed yellow ropes saying “do not enter” all over the property. I quickly texted Jimmy and told him what was up. I called a security guard for the WWI Musem and he told me there was too much ice on the landing, and the ground we were going to do the surprise proposal on were closed. OH NO.

Thankfully, I wouldn’t let this poor security guy off the phone just like that. I told him the big plan, and asked if he had any suggestions for me. He did, and I quickly drove there to find a new proposal spot! I filled in Jimmy, and we were set … again!

Jimmy did great. He walked right by me as instructed, pretending he didn’t know who I was. I waited for them to get several feet ahead, and then started casually following, pretending to take photos of other things until he got down on one knee …

The next thing Jimmy saw out of the corner of his eye was me sprinting into the snowy field and kneeling onto my own knees to start snapping the moment.

Lauren told me she was definitely surprised! Jimmy had a list of plans for the morning that included a trip to the WWI Museum, brunch, and grocery shopping … so she wasn’t expecting him to pop the question!

Of course, she said “YES!”

That ring? GORGEOUS.

And Jimmy set up this next moment perfectly. All day throughout Valentine’s Day just the day before, Jimmy left these little candies around with sweet love messages written on them. Before getting down on one knee, he handed Lauren this for her to read:

It says “This is where I propose.”

He let that sink in for a second, and then pulled out the ring!

As far as how this love story began, Lauren was transferred to the Kansas City area by her job. She lived in a different state before her transfer here — and only six months after her big move, met Jimmy. It was fate!

She said her first impression of him was that he was very personable and outgoing. “My favorite thing about him is how selfless he is. He will always put everyone else first, and do just about anything to make someone else happy.”

Jimmy told me that other than being blown away by her beauty, his first impression was that she had a great sense of humor, even laughing at what he calls his “terrible” jokes.

“My favorite part of Lauren is how she never lets me get down.” He said he has never met someone who loved and supported him as much as she does — and that she makes literally every situation better.

If these two lovebirds aren’t just the cutest!

“I have a higher sense of confidence in life knowing she is by my side,” Jimmy told me.

I can’t wait for you two to start planning the big day. All of here at Kansas City Photography wish you the happiest life together! Let’s chat wedding once you set a date! 😉

Our Top 7 Photo Sessions of 2019

January 9, 2020 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

We are at that time of year where we sit back and reflect on how far we’ve come. The year 2019 is no different, except that we probably have even more reflecting to do than usual.

This year marks the end of a decade! Whoa. That’s a really big deal. While we will have an entire post on our 2020 plans, this post is about reflecting back on our top 7 photo sessions of 2019. While all of them are very near and dear to my heart, these stuck out for their own special reasons! Read on to find out why!

7. Sunflower Mini Sessions!

This was the first year Kansas City Photography decided to do sunflower mini sessions! The event took place at Brookdale Farms in Eureka, and I rented out the field on a Sunday morning. It was an absolute hit — spots sold out in 24 hours.

It had rained the previous two days, and the field had been closed the day before due to the mud, but everyone made the trek in the mud for these beauties!

It is technically supposed to be a sunflower “maze,” but with the puddles and mud, I picked out a few favorite spots and we stuck to those instead of walking through all of the soggy earth.

We’ve had popular mini sessions before, but never to this magnitude. Definitely one for the books, and absolutely something we will do again!

6. Lisa & Jason’s Wedding

Lisa & Jason’s wedding stuck out for a few reasons, that photo above included. 🙂

I wasn’t actually their first photographer. Lisa had another photographer lined up for her wedding … who dropped out just months before they said “I Do.” Her now mother-in-law, who is my neighbor, reached out to me to see if I had their date available. I did, and we were able to meet up for coffee. Lisa told me I wasn’t allowed to back out, to which I told her “I have never missed a wedding in my life, you are safe!”

Fast forward to a week before her wedding. Guess who gets bacterial pneumonia? This kid, that’s who. But, I absolutely kept my word. There was no way I was going to miss Lisa & Jason’s wedding, fever, pneumonia, or not!

The next reason their wedding was rememberable (aside from their cuteness!) was the location. It was a location I had never been to before, in St. Louis, on the riverfront. It was someone’s home they had remodeled so that it could also work as a wedding venue. This place had the most unique artwork, including a statue that was so tall, even if several groomsmen stood on each other’s shoulders, they still wouldn’t reach the top!

This piece was also inside …

5. Lindsey’s “Breaking Free” Session

As a photographer, sometimes we are approached and given a responsibility to tell a story. Lindsey’s story was not only important, but worth sharing to the world. At only 23, she has experienced a lot of loss in her life, especially in 2019 with the loss of both and uncle to cancer and a best friend … to murder.

Lindsey came to me and said she wanted a “breaking free” theme for her 23rd birthday. She wanted to make 23 her best year yet, cherishing those she lost, but also becoming stronger because of the trials she has faced already at such a young age.

Lindsey is studying to earn her EMT license, so she can help save lives — even after having lost so many in her own life. I look forward to seeing her flourish in 2020.

4. Naka Kon 2019

Kansas City Photography has been a vendor at Naka Kon since 2012, setting up a photobooth in their vendor’s room every year. This year was different because it was the first year we had a double booth space, and it was all by a fluke, too!

When Alyssa and I arrived at Naka Kon, we noticed the vendor to our left wasn’t there … and they still weren’t there even as time ticked closer and closer to opening. One of the coordinator’s came by and told us the vendor was coming in from Colorado, and they had gotten hit by a big ice storm and were unable to make it in. She offered for us to purchase the space — so we went for it!

This, combined with our on-site sessions, made it our most successful Naka Kon to date! We’ve already signed up for 2020, with a double booth space again! This year, we will have our Magic Mirror photobooth, too!

3. Triplets Sessions

You’d think having one session with triplets would be amazing, but I actually had two sessions with triplets this year! One of my favorite families, the Sharp family, had triplets —

And I also met Andrew, Gabby, and Cameron this year — triplets in very different walks of life! These three are seniors!

It’s going to break my heart when the Sharp toddler triplets are old enough to do a senior session with me! Slow down, time!

2. A New York City Photo Session!

My husband, Bryan, has a cousin that lives in New York City. Although, since I frequent NYC several times a year, and always make sure to grab a bite with said cousin … Christie and I have decided we are actually cousins. Move over, Bryan!

So, of course, when Christie mentioned a photo session, I couldn’t wait to fly out and explore the city with her, camera in hand! We definitely got yelled at over an intercom for the shot below.

Worth it, though, right?! Thank you so much for this treat of a photo session, Christie!

Plus, it’s true, she’s totally an icon. With an amazing voice. You’re gonna rock the $h!+ outta 2020!! I can’t wait to see it, and then be like … “Hey! That’s my cousin!”

1. Gina & Rob’s Pouring Rain Engagement Session

Have you ever seen one of those romance movies where they run outside to meet, and kiss in the rain?! Like, every romance movie ever, right?

I had the opportunity, for the first time in my photography career, to do a pouring rain engagement session!!

Usually, when there is rain in the forecast, I will have clients reach out to me and ask about re-scheduling. I usually give the option to have a fun rain session, but I understand when they go ahead with re-booking for a different day. Then, my dreams came true.

Gina opted not to re-schedule. So, away to St. Charles we went — umbrella in hand. I stood in the rain and got drenched while taking these amazing rain photos, and it was completely worth it. Thank goodness Canon is water-resistant!

A few weeks after the session, I met with Gina for a coffee to finalize the wedding photography plans, and she told me she thought it was the most romantic thing that Rob waited until the final, in the middle of the street shot, to take off his outer shirt. He was excited for that shot, and that made her heart swoon!

Plus, we were in the heart of St. Charles, so we had plenty of amazing natural backdrops to work with while the rain was pouring down.

By the end of this session, I was drenched. Gina and Rob were drenched. It was cold … but it was 1,000 percent worth every second in that monsoon!

We definitely had lost the umbrella by the end … but a little rain never hurt anybody. Plus, these two are happily ever after married now — ready to weather any storm together!

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook — and don’t forget we are in both Kansas City and St. Louis!

Breaking Free at 23! Lindsey’s Journey

August 28, 2019 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

To say Lindsey had a rough year would be an understatement.

To begin her year, one of her closest friends, who was only 20 years old, was murdered. Her killer still hasn’t gone to trial.

Later that same year, she lost her uncle to an unexpected cancer.

The year before, she lost another close friend, who was only 19 years old, to cancer.

To honor those that have left her behind, she is going to put her best foot forward and “break free at 23.”

I first met Lindsey in 2013 when we moved to Blue Springs. She lived in the house across the street from me, then only being in high school. Flashback to her senior photo session:

I watched her grow from a teen who was completely obsessed with soccer, into a woman who joined the military to help protect those she loved.

Now in her life, she’s working at the University of Kansas Health System, and also studying to earn her EMT license.

She’s lost so many lives in her young life, now she’s working toward being able to save them.

Can’t wait to keep watching you, Lindsey. You’re going to do great things. In the words of her late friend, Mary: “It’s going to be alright.”

Lindsey knows her friends and family would want her to keep smiling, and keep moving forward.

Break free, Lindsey!

To view Lindsey’s session, click here.

Make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook! Don’t forget we are in both KC and St. Louis!

The Pouring Rain Didn’t Stop This Engagement Session!

April 1, 2019 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

Gina reached out to me a few days before the session, telling me it was going to rain. I told her I didn’t mind it if she didn’t … and she didn’t … so we had a gorgeous session in the pouring rain!

Check this off the bucket list, I have always wanted to do a rain session. Plus, with Gina and Rob being such good sports, we even did a little dancing in the rain!

Gina and Rob met online and talked for a month before deciding to meet up in person. Gina told me they loved that it was so easy to talk and hangout with each other, even after only meeting once!

Fast forward — and here we are! That first date turned into a second, a second into a third … and the rest was history!

Rob proposed at their home. He told me he was really nervous, and had convinced himself Gina would say no. She didn’t. 😉

Gina said the at-home proposal made it special, and then they were able to go pick out a ring together. Aww!

I asked each person to tell me their favorite things about one another.

Gina: “My favorite thing about him is that he is very easy to love. He is always so nice and always does little things to help me out or make me feel loved.”

Rob: “My favorite thing about Gina is her smile because it lights up the entire room.”

Aren’t these two just the sweetest?!

Gina said the fact Rob, a man who hates getting pictures, wanted to do the outside kiss in the rain shot made her swoon! And, boy, was it worth it!

It was cold. It was wet. But, you know what? Gina and Rob are troopers – and their beautiful engagement photos are all thanks to that! Dance in the rain, my friends! It’s always worth it.

Can’t wait for the wedding!

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A Surprise Rooftop Proposal In Kansas City!

March 26, 2019March 27, 2019 by Kcityphotography, posted in Photoshoots

We just LOVE surprise proposals. They are so romantic, and seeing the look of genuine shock and excitement as a significant other gets down on a knee … priceless!

Daniel reached out to us about two weeks ago. He had planned on doing a surprise proposal to (then) girlfriend (now fiancée), Julia. They’ve been together since August 2018 after they met on Coffee Meets Bagel.

Julia told us she’d been going through her calendar guessing which day Daniel would propose, but she had not guessed it would be Sunday!

Daniel met us at Rooftop Park (also sometimes called Green Roof Park), which is in downtown Kansas City. It’s a park that’s, you guessed it, on a rooftop!

Daniel said he knew he wouldn’t have much left to hide once he got Julia up there with him, so he dropped down to a knee almost immediately! No worries, though, our photographer, Dawn, had her trigger finger on point!

Julia said she thought he was going to propose the last five times they went out, so by our session Sunday she convinced herself it wasn’t happening! Ohhh, but it did! And she was more than happy to say “YES!”

Right after the surprise proposal, we launched right into a miniature engagement session. These two lovebirds are so incredibly sweet, and we are honored to have been there to capture this moment!

Hope to see you at the wedding! 😉

Planning a surprise proposal like Daniel? Contact us!