One of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding is getting to do an engagement session! Like all things wedding planning, it can be a little overwhelming to get started planning your engagement session, and with so many options for locations, how do you narrow it down? Keep reading for the down-low on engagement sessions, and all of my tips for finding the best Kansas City engagement session locations.

Why Book an Engagement Session?

Some couples may be tempted to skip the engagement session, especially if they don’t feel confident in front of the camera (i.e. every single one of my couples before our session). But, that discomfort might just be one of the reasons that an engagement session is a good idea. Here are a few reasons why I always recommend that couples book an engagement session with their wedding photos.

Get Comfortable

Engagement sessions are a great way to “practice” being in front of the camera. Most people have never had professional photos taken, so it can definitely be nerve wracking. By doing engagement photos you can ease some of that anxiety, and you’ll feel much more comfortable on the actual wedding day! You can get to know your photographer and get comfortable with them and their process, which can do wonders for your confidence in front of the camera. When the wedding day rolls around, you’ll be an expert!

Celebrate this Season

This is such an exciting time in your life – getting engaged is a big deal! You deserve to have these memories of pre-wedding bliss captured, and photos are the only way that you’ll be able to look back on those memories.

Finding a Location for Your Engagement Session

When you’re brainstorming possible locations for your engagement session, think of places that are meaningful to you! Finding a spot that’s sentimental and meaningful to you is such a great way to make your engagement photos even more exciting! Here are some ideas for potential spots.

Your Home

That’s right, you can get gorgeous engagement photos without even stepping outside! As a photographer, I love capturing couples exactly as they are – the candid, natural photos are way better than the posed ones, and what could be more cozy and authentic than photos in your own space! In-home engagement sessions are the perfect opportunity for you to just relax and be yourselves. Check out this in-home engagement session for inspiration!

Your Favorite Date Night Spot

Is there a spot that you find yourself visiting over and over? When date night rolls around, do you have a go-to location? When you’re brainstorming Kansas City engagement session locations, think about your favorite spots! Do you love to stroll through River Market? Picnic at Loose Park? Check out the flowers at Kauffman Memorial Garden?

Wherever your date night location is, you can totally have your engagement photos taken there too! Choosing a spot that you already know and love can make your engagement session so much more meaningful!

Where You Met

Imagine going back to the spot where you met for your engagement session. How fun would it be to relive those memories?! Whether it’s the brewery where you shared a drink or the laundromat where you flirted while folding clothes, the spot where you first met can be such a meaningful choice when you’re brainstorming engagement session locations around Kansas City.

Your Favorite Hiking Trail

Kansas City has lots of gorgeous nature walks and hiking trails, so if you’re planning an engagement session, you can’t go wrong with getting out in nature! If you have a favorite trail or a peaceful spot in the woods that you’re drawn to, that could be the perfect spot for engagement photos.

Your Favorite Store

Did somebody say “Target engagement session?!” 

Just kidding, maybe Target isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Kansas City engagement, but you can totally have your photos taken in your favorite store or shop! Record stores and book shops are popular places for engagement photos, but you can also choose a vintage coffee shop, a cute antique store, or any other place that has significance for you.

Kansas City Engagement Sessions

When it comes to finding the perfect spot for your engagement session, think about places that have significance to you. Going somewhere meaningful will make your photos all the more special, and it’ll make your entire engagement session experience more relaxed and fun!

The most important thing to remember when booking an engagement session is that your photographer will have a huge impact on how comfortable you feel and the experience you have! I know I wouldn’t want to hire someone who’s going to pose me like a doll and tell me to smile, and I’ll bet that’s not your thing either. I take a more candid approach, and while I’ll help you out if you don’t know where to put your hands, I also won’t make you stand there like a teenager at prom. I’ll ask questions and guide you through prompts to get you comfortable in front of the camera. 
Ready to talk about your Kansas City engagement session? Reach out!