Kansas City Family Photographer

Hi, I’m Merry. I’m an emotive, documentary and storytelling family photographer in Kansas City.

Merry Ohler Photography provides emotive documentary and storytelling family photography for “present over perfect” families in: Kansas City, Lawrence, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Mission, Parkville, Smithville, Liberty, Kearney, Lathrop, Weston, St. Joseph, Lawrence, Raymore, Excelsior Springs, Blue Springs, Lees Summit, Grandview, Sedalia, Raymore and more.

Kansas City Family Photographer

Let’s cut to the chase. You’re here because you need a family photographer. Kansas City has no shortage of them, and if there’s anything the past two years have taught us, it’s the importance of family and memories.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found that your priorities and daily lifestyle has undergone some pretty big changes - for the better! In our home, we’ve placed a great emphasis on spending quality time being present together. Fewer screens, more family board game nights, long walks and adventures outdoors.

If you’ve spent any amount of time looking for a family photographer, you know there are so many out there. Instead of talking about why I love family photography, or my style, let’s talk about you and why you’re really here reading what I have to say about family photography in Kansas City today.

You need photos of your family in this season of life. You need photos of your preschooler’s goofy grin and general silliness. You need a record of the way big sister is turning into a young lady right before your eyes. You need photos of you with your Love, and this life you’re building together.

These are the things I focus on documenting for my family photography clients. I know firsthand that we are not promised tomorrow, so I work hard to document and deliver precious memories of your crew that you will cherish forever.

As a documentary and storytelling photographer, I provide space and direction that enables your family to be who you are, while capturing photos that will become family heirlooms for generations to come. I’ll make sure we get a few photos where everyone is smiling at the camera, but the majority of your session will be spent laughing, playing, and enjoying each other’s company. I come to every session armed with prompts and ideas that will help you escape any session anxiety and focus on being present with your people.

You need a family photographer in Kansas City who can engage with each member of your family and draw out their unique, beautiful personalities in a way that translates to photos.

That’s exactly what I achieve in every family photo session.

Family photos can be a source of anxiety and stress for everyone involved, but they don’t have to be. As your family photographer, my goal is to make a personal connection with each person in your family. This focus frees all of you to be yourselves and relax, which translates to fantastic family photos.

You need joyful photos of your family, just as you are. And more importantly, your children need them.

Look, I know we don’t generally love photos of ourselves. Guilty here, too. But we don’t take family photos for our own selves. We take family photos for our children, and for their children, and their children’s children.

Do you know what your children are thinking about when they see a photo of them with their mom and dad? They are thinking about how much you love them. They aren’t thinking that they wished you had lost a few pounds. They aren’t thinking that you had a flyaway hair, or that your smile was too wide, or that they don’t like how you look when you laugh.

They are so happy to see a photo of you hugging them, or holding them, or tickling them, or chasing them.

I’ve seen it over and over. When they catch a glimpse of their family photos, their eyes light up, a huge smile spreads across their face, and they practically crow. “That’s us! That’s our family! Look how happy we are!”

And that’s why I do what I do. Because we don’t know how many days we’ll be given. Your children need you to show up in pictures now, for them.

I can help make that experience enjoyable for everyone.

What do you think? Am I the right Kansas City photographer for you?

If you love what you’re seeing, fill out the form below and drop me a line today (read: right this very second!) to check my availability for your Kansas City family photography.

Thanks for reading about your friendly neighborhood Spiderma-er, family photographer in Kansas City! Next, view more images from my Family Photography work, or learn a little more about me!

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Thanks for reading about my family photography in Kansas City! Next, contact me to book your family session, or learn a little more about me!