Five Ways to Personalize Your Family Photo Session in the Kansas City-Metro Area

Incorporate Your Favorite Spots Into Your Family Photos

A lot of families love a posed session—everyone looking at the camera, saying, "Cheese" in unison. But they're not really my jam. Your family photos should feel like you—not a copy and paste in a pretty park.

Sure, classic locations have charm, but if you want your images to tell a deeper story, why not incorporate an experience your family genuinely loves? The Greater Kansas City area offers many unique opportunities to make your session fun, meaningful, and way different than that Facebook post you saw of your best friend's brother's kids. I always prefer to incorporate what you love to do, but here are five creative ways to personalize your family photo session in the Kansas City area. Feel free to use them as inspiration.

1. Food Truck Adventures – Capture Your Family's Flavor

Kansas City is known for its fantastic food scene, and what better way to showcase your family's personality than a session centered around your favorite food truck? Whether you're all about tacos, BBQ, or gourmet grilled cheese, this type of session captures real interactions—kids sneaking bites before everyone is ready, parents laughing over shared plates, and those little, unscripted moments.

Where to go:

• The Kansas City Food Truck Plaza at 19th and Grand often has a rotating selection of food trucks in a vibrant, urban setting.

• First Fridays in the Crossroads is perfect if you love an artsy, energetic vibe with food trucks, live music, and local vendors.

• Occasional West Bottoms pop-ups offer an edgy, industrial backdrop mixed with amazing street food.

Pro tip: Let your kids take charge of ordering—those excited expressions as they pick their favorite treat? Priceless.

2. Ice Cream Date – Sweet, Simple, and Full of Smiles

There's something undeniably nostalgic about an ice cream cone dripping down little hands in the heat of a Kansas City summer. A photo session at a local ice cream shop creates an effortlessly joyful vibe, filled with genuine giggles and bright, colorful backdrops. Plus, you get a built-in reward system for reluctant participants (looking at you, toddlers and dads). If you have a local favorite spot, let's go there! Otherwise, here are some good options:

Where to go:

• Betty Rae's Ice Cream in Waldo, Olathe, Merriam, Prairie Village, and the River Market—quirky decor and some of the best flavors in town.

• Ice Cream Bae in Leawood or on the Country Club Plaza—fun, trendy, and a great indoor option for cooler months.

• Fairway Creamery—a pastel-perfect location with a neighborhood charm that feels effortlessly timeless.

Pro tip: Opt for neutral or coordinating outfits so the colors of your ice cream and surroundings pop in your photos. And photographers, please make sure you get permission from the site’s owner before bringing clients into the ice cream parlor.

3. Flying a Kite – Embrace Movement and Playfulness

Nothing says a carefree childhood like running through an open field with a kite soaring overhead. The photos will be whimsical, with a dynamic energy that transcends the print. We'll capture movement, laughter, and the thrill of the chase. It's perfect for families who want something interactive and full of life.

Where to go:

• Shawnee Mission Park—rolling hills, plenty of open fields, and a dreamy golden-hour glow, perfect for photography.

• Loose Park—a location with large open spaces near the Rose Garden create a stunning backdrop.

• Wyandotte County Lake Park—beautiful lake views and plenty of space to let the wind take your kite high.

Pro tip: Choose a kite with bold colors for extra visual interest in your images, and coordinate your wardrobe for a cohesive picture. Let the kids (and grown-ups) take turns running with it for naturally joyful expressions.

4. Carnival Evenings – Nostalgic, Vibrant, and Full of Energy

For a photography session that feels straight out of a storybook, plan your family photos at a carnival or local fair. The mix of twinkling lights, neon signs, and pure childlike excitement creates a magical atmosphere unlike anything else. Think cotton candy kisses, carousel rides memories, and prize-winning grins.

Where to go:

• Johnson County Old Settlers—seasonal, but full of classic fair charm.

• SantaCaliGon Days in Independence—one of the area's biggest festivals with tons of family-friendly fun.

• Old Shawnee Days—part carnival, part vendor booths, a location with plenty of cool backdrops.

Pro tip: Plan to start your portrait session around sunset, so you'll get both the golden-hour glow and an extra 30 minutes of blue hour when they'll start to turn on the carnival lights. And don't be afraid to hop on the Ferris wheel (with your photographer in tow) for a shot with the city skyline behind you!

5. A Skate Park Family Session: Energy and Movement

For families who live an active lifestyle, a skate park session is the perfect way to showcase that adventurous spirit. Whether your kids skateboard or rollerblade, the ramps and urban textures create a striking and dynamic backdrop. These sessions are perfect for capturing movement, personality, and a bit of edge in your family portraits.

Where to go:

• Penn Valley Skate Park near downtown, this park features smooth ramps, rails, and a killer skyline view—perfect for an urban, high-energy session with Kansas City in the background.

• Pleasant Valley Skate Park has an open bowl, plenty of open areas, and integrated street elements. Its graffiti gives it a cool, edgy vibe.

• Shawnee Skate Park—tucked inside Swarner Park (corner of Lackman Rd. and 63rd St.), this spot blends nature and skate culture, making it a unique choice for family photography when you want a mix of grit and greenery.

• Harrison Street DIY—located in Columbus park and built as a collaboration of professionals and volunteers, resulting in a product that directly influences the park users and has the architectural integrity to last.

Pro Tip: Dress in layers and bring necessities like skateboards, helmets, or retro-style sneakers to add to the skater aesthetic. Photographers, stick to times when the park is less busy for the best shots without too many distractions.

Make Your Family Session an Experience to Remember

Your family photos should feel like you—full of life, movement, and the little quirks that make your family unique. Whether you're chasing a kite, sharing an ice cream cone, or skating a rail, choosing a setting that speaks to your family's personality makes all the difference.

If you're ready to create a session that's less about stiff poses and more about real moments, let's chat! I'd love to help you plan a personalized storytelling session you'll cherish for years.