kansas city surprise proposal – Kansas City Photography

‘Tis the Season… for getting hitched! Meet Emily and Hayley…

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots, Surprise Proposals

Recently, we had the pleasure of witnessing this ‘YES!’ moment at Prairie Fire Museum in Overland Park (note to self… add this to the list of fantastic places for photos! The colors! I’m obsessed!) Emily and Hayley met WAYYYYYY back in middle school but didn’t start dating until a little over a year ago!

When Emily decided to propose, she went to great lengths to pick the perfect ring, the perfect spot and hatch the perfect plan! She enlisted Clara, her bestie, as a distraction and Clara’s sister, Elsa, came too – all under the premise of taking pictures of Clara and promised Hayley there would be lunch!

Emily even went as far as sending me a map, a plan of attack, a route we would take afterwards, all leading to a surprise lunch with Emily’s mom and Hayley’s great-grandma! Hayley is very intuitive and Emily was sure she would know something was up – and she was right! Hayley was suspicious but didn’t know the plan and loved how it all played out!

So many spots to stop and take some great shots of these two!

As we walked through the shopping area, we stopped to take all kinds of pictures! There is no shortage of beauty anywhere around here. We also had plenty of time to chat about their cats and dog, about how they get to spend their time doing all the things the love and how they both work in education (LOVE OUR TEACHERS!!!)

Don’t worry – we went back and edited out the damage the wind tried to do to their hair! I’ll update with that picture soon!

As we were strolling down the street, headed toward lunch (the surprise lunch with mom and great-grandma) – here comes mom, driving right down the road next to us! Emily and Hayley just laughed – mom definitely didn’t follow the plans or the map! HA! But even though the cat was out of the bag, and the wind was blowing at what seemed like 100mph, we had so much fun finishing out the shoot!

When we finally met at the lunch destination, Emily’s mom, Hayley’s great-grandma, Clara, Elsa (and of course Emily and Hayley), all stopped to pose for one last picture together and off to lunch they went!

Congratulations to this beautiful couple! Can’t wait for the updates on all the camping, visiting Colorado (one of my favorite spots), and, of course, the WEDDING PLANS!!!!

Surprise Engagements!

June 12, 2022 by Kansas City Photography, posted in "How To" / Tips & Tricks!, On-Location Series, Photoshoots, Surprise Proposals

Timing, Locations, and Outfits, oh my!

Nick & Sydney celebrate their special moment in Loose Park

After my most recent clients (Nick and Sydney) celebrated their ‘Yes!’ in Loose Park yesterday, I was stopped by another couple and asked for some details on engagement photography and how did we pull off *another* surprise engagement, especially in such a busy location? And I thought… why not tell the world? So if you’re ready to propose to your partner – you’re in the right spot! I’m going to spill the beans on surprise engagements! We’ll review the top spots in Kansas City, how to prepare, what your photographer can help you with — and more! But first… Let’s do a quick recap of our other recent proposals and some of their special moments!

SURPRISE ENGAGEMENTS: LOCATIONS

Most of my clients have picked out the ring, the day, and sometimes even their outfit but when I ask, ‘where are we going for this special moment?’ the answer is almost always, ‘I’m not sure, do you have any recommendations?’ Yes, my friends, yes I do. Here are the list of questions to ask yourself (or that I will ask you) before we decide on a spot!

Is there a local spot that’s special to you? Maybe your first date? Maybe a spot you go to regularly?
Is there a specific background you’re looking for? Water? Flowers? Trees? Cityscape?
When you think back on this special day, is this a location you’re going to want to be able to access (if possible, think wedding, anniversaries, etc).
Formal/Casual dress attire?
Are you planning any activities pre/post engagement session?

Once we get through those – we can narrow down that right location for you!

If my clients have no preference on location, I refer to this blog post: https://kansas-city-photography.com/2017/02/03/top-10-photo-locations-in-kc/

But also I like to add in these options:

Powell Gardens
Nelson Atkins
Plaza
KC Rooftop Bars (think Crossroads area!)
Longview, Smithville and WyCo Lakes!

There are a number of locations to choose from and when recommending a place I like to consider the season – what’s blooming, what colors will show in the background? Is it rainy season? Are we going to get muddy (this might be something planned!) What’s planned for after the photoshoot – do you have time to get where you’re going if we pick a certain location over another. Also, are there several backgrounds for the photos or will we just have one or two to work with? Your photographer will work with you to brainstorm ideas and they’ll also take into consideration lighting, weather, permits (if necessary) and review all of that with you. Overall, a lot to think through but in the end, this is the backdrop for your special moment so we want it to be right!

Up next… How to prepare: The details for your special day!

Click here to book your engagement photos with Kansas City Photography (which is in both St. Louis & Kansas City)!

(Note: All photos in this blog post were taken by Kansas City Photography. You may not re-use without permission.)

A Surprise Proposal at Loose Park!

December 21, 2020 by Kansas City Photography, 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 Kansas City Photography, 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!

A Romantic Surprise Proposal With The Kansas City Skyline!

February 18, 2020 by Kansas City Photography, 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! 😉

A Surprise Rooftop Proposal In Kansas City!

March 26, 2019March 27, 2019 by Kansas City Photography, 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!