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!

Oops! She Got Wet, But This West Bottoms Senior Shoot Was Still A Splash!

Halee will be graduating from Penney High School next May — and what better way to commemorate this moment in her life than with a senior photoshoot?

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Although, we didn’t manage to stay dry, despite being in West Bottoms. More on that later.

Her mom, Lauri, told us her daughter plans to attend UMKC and major in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.

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“She’s active in her church and is going on her first mission trip to Colorado in July. She is a self proclaimed book nerd and enjoys spending time with her family and friends,” her mom told us.

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Some of her favorite books, include: “All The Bright Places,” “The Catcher In The Rye,” “Everything, Everything,” and all the “Harry Potter” books.

I definitely get behind her choice in Harry Potter!

Halee Senior Photo 4Halee is also the Parliamentarian of her Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter. This is my favorite note from her mom:

“I don’t even know what a Parliamentarian is. 😉”

If I’m bein’ real … I had to do a little research:

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Woo! This pretty much means she’s a big deal!

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Now to that little water incident. Tatiana told me she had Halee pose against a wall. It was right below a condensation hose from an A/C unit. It started draining on her during the shot, but we got this gem out of it:

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Worth it, right?!

Here’s the shot without water pouring onto her head:

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We are excited to see where the future takes you, Halee! Congrats on your upcoming graduation!

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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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A Creepy Car & Playing Around At West Bottoms: Dawn’s Family Photoshoot!

Tatiana here! It was a real pleasure to capture one of my dearest friends being so in love with someone who is also so in love with her! It’s been a long time coming and it just warms my heart that she has reached her “relationship goals.”

 

Dawn Family 18.jpgDawn’ son, Aidan, was the explorer for sure. He is so full of energy and kept wandering off, climbing on things and I just let him do his thing! He just started jumping on things and I was like, “WELP! Since you’re already there…” *snaps photos*

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This one below makes it seem like Lilly and Aidan are about to drop the next hot album in KC. And Aidan plays the drums, so who knows? Maybe this will be a thing!

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In this below, I specifically asked them to do a funny pose. I think the quote was, “act like you guys are in a street gang!” This is a perfect depiction of the Vieux clan ready to rumble! And also proof they could never be in an actual street gang.

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It took Miss Lilly a little bit to loosen up, but I think she enjoyed the pictures! She really liked the ones of just her, which is great, ’cause I would love to rock a senior shoot with her! Hint, Dawn, hint!

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Lilly was just standing on this rock trying to stay away from everyone, but me, being totally impervious just went, “Joke’s on you, ’cause you look cool on that rock!!!” *snaps photo*

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This is my favorite picture of Dawn and her kiddos! It also shows off some hidden treasures of this area known as “West Bottoms.” We just happened upon this hobbit door, it was super random!

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But you never know what you’re going to run into here, which is why we love this location! It even made it in our Top 10 Photoshoot Locations in KC list!

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Although, there was one bizarre incident — there was a black car at the end of the bridge with tinted windows. When we started to take pics, the driver revved the engine and opened the driver’s door … but no one got out! Later, the driver shut the door, and turned the car sideways. This is when I began thinking, “Am I gonna die?!” And Dawn is just like “what poses should we do next?!”

Anyway, no one died … so here we are!

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Top 10 Photoshoot Locations in KC

Hooray, you’ve booked the photoshoot! The next question: “Where do we go?”

We get asked this by photography clients a lot. So, here’s a list of our top 10, with an honorary mention — all with photos we personally took at these locations!

Here is our list for the St. Louis area (Kansas City Photography is in both locations)!

Honorary Mention: Loose Park 

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Yes, it’s gorgeous. But, it’s only honorary and not on the 10 countdown list because of how incredibly busy this place can get. It can be hard to get a shot without people in the background (and editing people out takes time). Plus, photographers everywhere.

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It’s not a hidden gem — and if you get caught shooting professionally in this area, and you haven’t paid their photographer’s fee, you get fined.

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10. Bass Pro Waterfall Park

Wait. Do a shoot at Bass Pro? Hear me out.

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This particular location has an outside park that includes waterfalls. Waterfalls, people! 

9. Parkville

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Yes, I just used an entire city as a photoshoot location. It has a population of around 5,500, and a whole lotta character. It boasts an adorable downtown area — not to mention this bridge!

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If you walk over the bridge, there’s a nice, open area with grass — and a  nice view of the Missouri River. There is a path you can follow along it, so you aren’t getting your shoes all muddy!

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There is also the “Hogwarts Castle,” which is actually Park University.

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8. National WWI Museum and Memorial

It’s a nice, open area with a killer view of the Kansas City skyline. Plus, you can explore some history while you’re there.

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But they will yell at you if you sit on the ledge like we did. We actually had no idea there were huge speakers for them to yell at you … until it was happening to us.

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Leaning is OK, though.

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And standing in front of it is all chill, too!

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7. Swope Park

This park has lion statues. And 1,805-acres. What’s not to love?

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Also, it’s Kansas City’s largest park. Glorious.

6. West Bottoms / Graffiti Walls

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It can be tricky to find, but when you go explore downtown KC, especially on the side roads by Restaurant Depot on 12th Street, you’ll find it. Colorful graffiti. Perfect for the urban setting. The senior pictures. The fun, funky group.

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Plus, the grafitti is ever-changing, so you’ll never get the same shot twice! It’s always so bright and colorful, and sometimes you can find fun little messages, like “feminine” above. On the flip side of that, you also have to watch out for not so nice words, too.

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5. Burr Oak Woods

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For the person who wants nature shots. This is also the perfect location for those fall photos — colored leaves and trees everywhere! Plus, they have great trails you can utilize after the shoot!

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4. Bingham-Waggoner Estate

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I usually suggest this one for my repeat clients. With these clients, we’ve usually already hit up the No. 1 spot (no peeking until you get there), and probably a couple others on this list.

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It’s a great change of pace. Plus, it has great scenery, a bridge, and a gorgeous estate that serves as a wonderful backdrop.

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This location is also dog-friendly! Their only requirement is that your pup has to be on a leash, and that you clean up any poo that may happen!

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3. Lake Jacomo

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The best place for water shots! On the way, they have several stop-offs with gorgeous water views. If you know where to go, there is also a great miniature waterfall area.

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If you drive further in the park, you’ll hit the yacht area — there’s a trail you can take back with gorgeous trees and tall grass.

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If you walk far enough, there’s a break in the trees and you can see the water in the background.

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There’s also the option of walking out onto the docks!

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2. Love Locks Bridge

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This hidden gem is a wonderful tribute to the love locks bridge in Paris. I love going here and seeing all of the different locks, looking at the dates, and the sweet engravings.

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If you walk past the bridge, there is beautiful tall grass, and even train tracks!

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1. Unity Village

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I can’t define my love enough for this place. A lot of people have never heard of it, and hearing them gasp at the sight hundreds of roses the first time they step foot onto the property is something I never get tired of hearing.

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Every breed of rose you thought you’d heard of, plus many more you probably can’t even pronounce (I know I can’t!).

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And let’s not forget those fountains! There are several throughout the property — including a huge one the size of a swimming pool in the middle.

img_5014img_0827 copy.jpgThe fountains are turned off once it gets chilly. But, even in the colder non-rose months, the architecture is fun to play with.

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And this is just the front. If you explore the grounds even farther, you will find the old stone buildings. This place is teeming with possibilities!

And as if it couldn’t get any better — this location is also dog friendly! It’s the same rules as Bingham: Leash required, clean up poo!

Don’t forget — our list of Top 10 photography locations in St. Louis is also available!

Please Note:Christine, Dawn, and Tatiana with Kansas City Photography took all of these photos! No stealsies!

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