Your Go-To Guide for Senior Photos in Kansas City
Senior photos can be a source of stress for graduating seniors (and their parents!) the world over, and it makes total sense! For most, this is the first time you have been the sole subject of a photography session. There are all kinds of questions and concerns….like
Isn’t this going to be so awkward?
What am I supposed to do with my face?
Where do I put my hands?
These are thoughts everyone struggles with, and they are stresses a professional senior photographer will help alleviate. A seasoned photographer will intuitively help ease your concerns by giving you information and expectations about how your senior photo session will go, how to position your body, face and hands, where to look, and more.
That being said, there are several things you can do to ensure your session goes smoothly and you end up with many photos you’ll love. As your resident senior photographer in Kansas City, I’m thrilled to share my best tips for great senior photos!
How to Achieve Great Senior Photos in Kansas City | Senior Photographer in Kansas City
Whether you’re after a natural, casual, rustic or urban vibe for your senior photos, Kansas City is a fantastic place to achieve exactly that. From downtown Kansas City, it’s just a short drive to a wide variety of setting options. City skyline views, breathtaking architecture, modern art sculptures, artistic city features, fountains, tall grasses, open fields, forests, lakes, the river, small-town squares and more are readily available for senior photos in every season.
No matter what locations you ultimately settle on, remember the following tips and you’ll be set up for success!
Senior girl laughs in front of ivy in KC Crossroads District. © Merry Ohler, Senior Photographer Kansas City
When is the best time of year to take senior photos in Kansas City?
The best time of year for senior photos in Kansas City is between May and November.
Weather in Kansas City can be fickle, and our most temperate months run from April through November. Spring is known to bring a significant amount of rain in Crown Town, so if you schedule your senior photos for outdoors sometime in March through April, be prepared to pivot if needed. If you want to minimize the likelihood of rain, book your Kansas City senior photos between mid-May and November.
If you’re dreaming of sunny, summer senior photos, book your senior photos in June, July or August. To beat the heat, opt for an early morning session. Sunrise sessions are increasingly popular with seniors, and afford you the benefit of the coolest hours of the day while still yielding those glowy summer vibe photos you love.
If you love autumn best and want to take advantage of Kansas City’s beautiful fall foliage, book your senior photos between the middle of October to early November. Fall foliage is entirely dependent on temperatures and the amount of rain in a given year, but typically Kansas City is best dressed for fall from mid October to the first week of November.
Senior girl smiles with her horse, Chloe, in Kansas City. © Merry Ohler, Senior Photographer Kansas City
Where is the best place to take senior photos in Kansas City?
The best place to take senior photos in Kansas City is a location that is distinctly Kansas City, and offers versatility. This will provide you with more variety, especially if you opt for an outfit change or two. KC is virtually loaded with iconic spots that show off our city. A few can’t miss favorites include:
With sweeping skyline views, a lush green lawn, impressive architecture and a broad overview of the most recognized sites in KC, the World War I Memorial offers variety and Kansas City vibes guaranteed to take your Kansas City senior photos to the next level.
The hub of Kansas City transit has much to offer for any photo session, but this is one of my favorite “elevations” to the tired (not to mention illegal!) tradition of senior railroad tracks photos.
Beauty, art, nature and architecture are the highlights of any senior session on the grounds of the Nelson.
The Crossroads District is widely recognized as the place to be in Kansas City, and the urban variety available makes it one of my most requested locations for senior photos in Kansas City.
Senior boy sits on steps at college campus in Kansas City. © Merry Ohler, Senior Photographer Kansas City
Kansas City Senior Photographer
What should I wear for senior photos?
You should wear clothing that is comfortable and fits you well, accentuates your attributes, and makes you feel good about yourself. If you hate the way you look in skirts, don’t wear a skirt! If you love jeans and live in them 24/7, plan to wear jeans for at least one part of your session.
Most senior photo sessions allow space for 2-3 outfits. If you have the opportunity to have two outfit changes, plan one casual outfit (think jeans and a cute top), one dressier outfit, and one that shows off your personality. Plan your outfits well, and if possible, layer your clothing! This will give you even more versatility because you’ll be able to remove or add layers quickly during your session.
If you could use some inspiration, check out my attire guide boards on Pinterest for creative inspiration and ideas you’ll love.
Senior girl smiles in shade near lake in Kansas City. © Merry Ohler, Senior Photographer Kansas City
Senior Photos in Kansas City
How should I pose for senior photos?
You should pose in positions that showcase your strengths. A professional photographer will guide you into the most flattering poses that accentuate your best features and make you feel your best. If there are any things you are particularly uncomfortable with, be sure to mention this to your photographer! They will intuitively know certain great poses for you, but if you have a random preference for your left side versus right side, be sure to speak up!
Before your session, practice smiling in front of your mirror a couple of times! Practice a big smile, smaller smile, laugh, and a more serious look. The goal here is not to practice, but to get familiar with the way you look when you do those things, and to have a natural understanding of what look your photographer is trying to achieve when they say, “Okay, big smile!” If you determine what your big smile looks like ahead of time, you’ll naturally slip into it when it’s time!
If there are any poses you absolutely do not like, such as lying on your stomach, sitting, etc., be sure to tell your photographer! They may have some convincing reasons to try a couple of shots in that pose, but ultimately your senior photographer wants you to have a great experience and photos you love. A professional photographer will appreciate your candor and that you are saving them time by telling them what you don’t like.
Senior girl spins with suitcase in Kansas City shipping yard. © Merry Ohler, Senior Photographer Kansas City
What props should I bring for senior photos?
You should bring any items that hold significance for you in this season of life. If you have a letterman jacket or class ring, bring them. Many seniors want to showcase their hobbies and interests, so be sure to mention any elements you may want to incorporate into your senior photos. Depending on your interests, hobbies or sports, your photographer may want to shoot in a location that correlates to those things.
Some of my favorite senior sessions have been those that incorporated senior’s interests in fun ways. A few standouts to give you inspiration include sessions:
on a tennis court
with a saxophone
on the football field
in a theater
with a horse
on a college campus
You’re ready for amazing senior photos in Kansas City!
What questions do you have for me? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer!