On-Location In Kansas City: Featuring West Bottoms!

Today, we’re here to bring you some historical urban jungle goodness!

West Bottoms is one of the oldest areas in Kansas City, located west of the newer downtown. Due to its atmosphere of rich culture and inner city vibes, it’s one of our top 10 favorite locations to shoot!

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Whether it’s graffiti or just vibrant brick walls, there are so many epic backdrops to choose from!

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It has so many great uses for photography. Especially for solitary photos like Halee’s senior photoshoot.

Halee chose this location for all of the fun pops of color. And it’s always a treat for us photographers because the graffiti is different every time! Seriously. We’ve never seen the same artwork twice!

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Pleasing pops of color, exciting artwork, and a surprise at each brick wall you stumble across!

Around every corner, there are unique doors and entryways. These are perfect for symbolizing your path opening up to the future, like Sydney and Zane wanted to portray with their engagement shoot.

And, of course, we are ALWAYS down for a location that’s pet friendly. <3

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The contrast of the brick with the metal rust and pop of color of the gate is a prime example of how unique this locale is!

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And we seriously could not do a blog on West Bottoms without featuring the inner-city junkie herself — our former photographer, Dawn!

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During Dawn’s family photoshoot, her son Aidan proved that there’s always a new and exciting photo opportunity when he ran over to this random pile of tires!

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So, there you have it! West Bottoms is a diverse location fit for pretty much anything! A solitary shoot to showcase some self accomplishments, celebrating an engagement, or exploring with family.

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Book with us today and let’s go on an adventure downtown together!

Sydney and Zane’s West Bottoms Engagement Shoot!

Sydney and Zane won a half price engagement shoot we gave away back in March when I, Tatiana, got hired onto the team!

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They chose West Bottoms as the location for the vibrant colors of the graffiti and urban inner city vibes.

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I asked Sydney to share how Zane popped the big question, and here’s what she said:

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“He proposed with our best friends. They took pictures at the plaza by the water where the gondola rides are, then they had us get up there to take our picture and I turned and saw him on one knee!”

Sounds like everyone was in on the magic — how romantic!

The Country Club Plaza is a shopping district in downtown KCMO that offers amazing architecture and soft lighting — especially during Christmas time! Keep us in mind for a seasonal shoot! 😉

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I also got the privilege to meet Miss Whinny, their gorgeous fur baby! She was so sweet, but still less than a year old, so getting her to look at me was quite the challenge. I’m used to photographing puppers since I have my own fur babies, so we got some great shots!

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Sydney had a great idea inspired by the beloved Pinterest for the ring to be on Whinny’s nose, but again — we were working with an energetic puppy who was thinking, “Oooh, that’s shiny! LET’S EAT IT!” So, for the safety of the ring, we nixed that idea.

And what a ring it is!! Wooo-weee!

Let’s try again when Whinny is older — we’re going to need a newlyweds shoot! 🙂

For this next shot —

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Zane wanted to do something fun and silly, so he could not control himself from trying to pick the nose of this poor, defenseless graffiti woman. I feel like he gets the “you’re a dork, but I love you” look from Sydney often.

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And now that they’re getting married, they have all the time in the world for funny looks, smiles, and kisses on the forehead. We at Kansas City Photography wish you all the happiness and success on your big day (they are planning a destination wedding)!

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Also, special shout out to Sydney’s BFF, Gabriella, for helping us with Whinny during the shoot!

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