Everything You Need to Know About Spring Photo Sessions in Kansas City
{MARCH 2023 REFRESH} Spring is ALMOST HERE, and that means it’s time to talk Spring Photos in Kansas City!
Everything You Need to Know About Spring Photo Sessions in Kansas City
No matter where you live, planning a photo session can introduce a bit of anxiety, as pretty much every person will tell you. There are many decisions to make and questions to answer, including what to wear, what location to use, which style of photography you like best, which photographer to hire, what day and what time of day to choose, whether to book a mini session or a full length session… I could go on, but instead of focusing on the questions, why not jump in to the answers? Let’s go.
What is the best location for spring photos in Kansas City?
The best locations for spring photos in Kansas City are outdoor spaces with ample greenery and plenty of fresh, bright new blooms.
Every spring, Kansas City awakens in a flurry of new life, and your spring photo session should reflect all that beauty! Some of my favorite spring photo locations include area parks and nature preserves, arboretums, botanical gardens, and even green spaces in area neighborhoods.
Kansas City hosts numerous incredible options, but don’t forget to check their website or call for their photography policy before you plan your session. Some locations require a photography permit or fee, and if you show up without arranging your session with them directly, they may kick you out.
The best locations for spring photo sessions in Kansas City include:
Tall, stately trees, enormous green spaces and rolling hills, a reflection pond with wooden bridges, weeping willows, ducks and of course, the rose garden all make this a Kansas City favorite for wedding photography, engagement photos, family photos and more. There is a permit required for professional photography use, so be sure to pay for your permit and schedule your session in advance. You’ll need to plan ahead if you want this location. ***Bonus tip: bring comfortable shoes to change into and plan to spend some time exploring this beautiful park after your session!
From hidden natural alcoves, a bounty of bright and colorful blooms, the lake and dozens of stunning backdrops, the Overland Park Arboretum never disappoints. With on site bathrooms (very important for last minute touch ups or outfit changes), a low entrance fee and reasonable photography fee, this is one of my personal favorite locations for spring and summer photos. Your children will love the whimsical floral designs, archways, sculptures, miniature train village, and of course, spying the sunning turtles!
Located about 50 minutes outside of Kansas City, Powell Gardens boasts seven gardens and over 100 botanical acres. Every person in your party must pay the entry fee, so you’ll want to plan well ahead for this location. However, if you don’t mind all that, you will love this location for your spring photos. Due to the time investment required to reach this location, consider spending your day on site! Bring comfortable walking shoes and clothing, and plan to explore together after your session is over. Bring a picnic lunch and get the most out of your admission and time!
Couple walking through the rose garden at Loose Park. | Photo by Merry Ohler, Wedding Photographer in Kansas City
What should I wear for spring photos?
You should wear lighter neutral colors for spring photos, but stay away from busy prints.
It’s best to start with one person, then build the outfits of everyone else around that one person’s outfit. For families, I recommend to start with one parent and nail that outfit down, then build out from there. Steer clear of matching, and opt instead for items within a specific palette. The ideal spring photos will include green spaces and some colorful blooms or florals, or at the very least blue skies, so choosing a neutral palette will keep the subjects (that’s you!) as the main focus.
If you need more inspiration, click through here to follow my Pinterest board for What to Wear in Photos. Follow me while you’re over there!
Family of three in West Bottoms Kansas City. | Photo by Merry Ohler, Wedding Photographer in Kansas City
When is the best time to take spring photos in Kansas City?
The best time to take spring photos in Kansas City is two or three weeks after the final frost, which usually occurs early to mid-March.
Spring typically hits her full stride in the final week of March and early April, so I recommend to book spring photos between the middle of March and the middle of May. Booking earlier in the season gives you time to reschedule should rain interfere with your plans, but my favorite spring sessions usually occur between March 21st and April 25th.
If there is a particular type of flower you want in your spring photos, it’s best to do your research and find out when that flower blooms. If you aren’t too picky about which blooms, opt for a spring session at either Overland Park Arboretum or Powell Gardens (both linked above.)
Loose Park boasts gorgeous cherry blossoms for a very brief window of time, so if you’re after white or light pink blossoms, contact a Kansas City photographer who will help you make sure you don’t miss the window! (Ahem! That would be yours truly!)
What time of day is best for my spring photo session?
Early in the morning (sunrise) or the last hour or two of daylight is the best time for your spring photo session in Kansas City.
The final hour or so of daylight before twilight is often referred to as golden hour, and with good reason. It’s only as those final rays of sunlight are kissing creation goodbye that we see those rosy, golden hues that flatter literally everyone. However, several months ago I was delighted to find that I was equally enamored by sunrise light! The hues were a tiny bit cooler in my experience, but still so beautiful! If you have the option, I recommend to book a sunrise or sunset session, but a good photographer will be equally able to capture flattering images for your spring photos in full sun by using flash equipment, diffusers or reflectors.
Couple embrace in open field. | Photo by Merry Ohler, wedding photographer in Kansas City.
What type of photo session should I book for spring photos in Kansas City?
You should book a full session for your spring photos in Kansas City if you want to take full advantage of this beautiful season in KC.
In Kansas City, most photographers offer full sessions and mini sessions. A full session is usually about an hour long and inclusions vary by photographer. A full session will give you plenty of time to get the most out of your time, with various groupings within your family, as well as various settings within your location. Most people only book one photo session per year, or even every two years, so it’s a good idea to book a full session if your children are preschool age or older.
Micro or mini sessions typically last anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, and the number of photos included varies by photographer as well. For my clients who are booking a spring photo session in Kansas City with young children, I recommend to READ THIS POST ABOUT HOW TO HAVE A GREAT PHOTO SESSION WITH SMALL CHILDREN, then typically recommend they book a mini session. (I’m currently booking both full and mini photo sessions for spring!) The shorter sessions are easier on little attention spans, and afford parents a manageable time frame while still producing great images. For couples and larger families, I recommend booking a full session to offer variety and to ensure we have plenty of time to work with everyone.
You’re ready for your spring photo session in Kansas City! Check availability and calendar by contacting me today, and tell me your favorite thing about spring in the comments below!