Kansas City Family Photographer
Hi, I’m Merry. I’m a documentary and storytelling family photographer in Kansas City.
I photograph families throughout Kansas City and nearby communities including Liberty, Overland Park, Mission, Lee’s Summit, Parkville, Kearney, Smithville, and other surrounding areas. Whether you want an in-home session or an outdoor location with room for your kids to move, we’ll choose a setting that feels natural for your family.
Documentary and Storytelling Family Photography
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.
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.
Family Photos for Present-Over-Perfect Families
Look, I know we don’t generally love photos of ourselves. Guilty here, too. But we don’t take family photos for our selves. We take family photos for our children, and for their children, and their children’s children.
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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 levitate. “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.
It is my joy to help make that experience enjoyable for everyone.
Where Family Sessions Happen in Kansas City
Family photography sessions happen in many engaging spaces all over Kansas City. From parks, to green spaces, to back yards, to iconic Kansas City landmarks, I’ve got just the spot for your family photos. A few of my favorite frequent spots for families include:
Weston Bend State Park (North of KC)
Watkins Mill (North of KC)
Loose Park (Downtown KC)
Nelson Atkins Museum
Shawnee Mission Park
Lake Olathe
Quaint Squares in the KC Metro
Downtown Parkville
Historic Liberty Square
Independence Square
Downtown Lee’s Summit
WW1 Memorial
Union Station
At Home
I love working with each client to find the perfect, unique location for your family photos! Do you have an idea for something special? I’d love to hear it when we plan your session!
What to Expect From Your Session
When you book me, you can expect clear communication and guidance from your very first inquiry, all the way to gallery delivery. After you book your session, I’ll send you my client guide filled with tips, tricks, and advice on what to wear and how to have a great session. I’m always happy to hop on a call to talk through outfit ideas, or weigh in on any questions you have. I’ll send you a couple of email reminders leading up to your session, and will make sure you know exactly where we’ll be meeting. On the morning of your session date, I’ll text you a quick hello to make sure my number is easily accessible in your text threads.
At your session, you can expect me to show up armed with peace, joy, and silliness as needed. I am always ready to engage with everyone in your family, and kiddos are my jam! I love when everybody feels comfortable, so that’s always my aim. I work hard to make your session a breath of fresh air, guiding everyone into the best positioning and helping every member of your family to relax and interact naturally with each other.
Your session photos will be completed and delivered via your personal, password-protected gallery within 10 business days of your session. Once your gallery is scheduled for delivery, you’ll receive an email with the upcoming delivery date. Your gallery delivery email contains clear instructions for download and ordering prints and products, and includes everything you need to access your final photos.
Family Photography FAQ
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I recommend to avoid “matching” and opt instead for attire that coordinates well. Instead of matching prints, think complementary colors. For example, warm or cool neutrals. If you plan to hang prints or canvasses on your walls, consider the color scheme of your home and choose accordingly. My client session guide has fantastic detailed guidance for attire, and I have many Pinterest inspiration boards that will help you! Or, read more here!
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Surprise! You have human children! Honestly, if your children weren’t a little wild or shy, I might feel a little concerned. I am a mama to three and auntie to 9, and I promise, I will work with you and your people to get some great photos. My favorite photos are often the ones when we let them relax and just be themselves.
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Yes, I do! I love at-home sessions. Bare feet, snuggle couch sessions, art at the dining room table, baking cookies or making pancakes in the kitchen, reading books in Mom and Dad’s bed, or even playing in your back yard.
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Kansas City is blessed by four distinct seasons, and there are wonderful features of each, but my favorite seasons for family photos are spring, summer, and autumn. Spring in Kansas City is full of life, fragrant blossoms and vibrant new colors. Summer features those long sunsets, perfect for a picnic in the park, or a walk down your favorite street. Autumn boasts all the beauty of a Midwest fall: crimson, gold, and tangerine hues fill endless trees as far as the eye can see. Perfection. Winter is beautiful in it’s own way, but I lean toward the other three months for family photos. UNLESS you’re in the mood for a snow session! And I am so in for that!
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The earlier the better, but don’t hesitate to reach out if the urge strikes you and you are ready for photos THIS weekend! I may be able to work you in! Just reach out to me!
What do you think? Am I the right family photographer for you? If so, click through to my booking calendar to snag your spot on my calendar today!
If you love what you’re seeing but have a question or want to connect before securing your spot on my calendar, fill out the form below and drop me a line today (read: right this very second!) for your Kansas City family photos.
I’m a documentary photographer based in Kansas City - I’m glad you’re here! When I’m not behind a camera, I am usually spending time outdoors with our children or creating something. My husband Jamie is the other half of the team here. He is my second shooter for weddings, and he leads marketing, sales and development.
The most important thing about us is that we serve Jesus. We have been completely, radically changed because of His incredible love, mercy and grace, and our prayer is for you to know just how much He loves you, too.
We have four amazing “arrows” - our oldest daughter, Cadence, who dances with Jesus already, and three here with us: Zai, Elle & Ezzy. They keep us walking the line between feeling absolutely humbled that we get to be their parents… and in a state of somewhat painful shock from the sheer number of Legos we find ourselves tripping over on a nightly basis.
In our day to day lives, we serve and love Jesus, and homeschool our children. We also create minimalist art and resources for homeschool and discipling children - you can find those in our Etsy shop, Ever June Co. Sometimes I share about all that here, too. Life is an amazing gift, and we’re so grateful.
Let us know if you can’t find what you’re looking for; it’s our joy to serve you.