Lifestyle Family Photography in Kansas City: What to Expect

Real moments, a little guidance, and no bad poses. Here’s how my sessions work, and how they compare to posed and documentary photography.

The short answer

Vickshots is lifestyle family photography in Kansas City. I choose the light and the location, give you a little direction, and you make it your own. We’ll also take the classic posed shot for your wall. I’m David Vickers, and I photograph families on both sides of the state line.

A family of four standing together and facing the camera in a Kansas City park — The classic posed shot.

The same family a few frames later, relaxed and leaning in, with the youngest playfully mid-motion — The same family, a few frames later.

Posed, lifestyle, or documentary?

These three styles get mixed up a lot, so here is how I think about them.

	Posed	Lifestyle (my style)	Documentary
How it feels	Arranged, one pose after another	Relaxed and interactive, with light guidance	The photographer stays out of the way
Who sets things up	The photographer	Shared: I pick the light and spot, you bring the personality	Nobody, the day just unfolds
Time	Short	30 minutes to an hour	Often a full day with your family
Best for	A formal wall portrait	Families who want real expressions without a long day	A slice-of-life story of an entire day

It starts with a questionnaire

Before we meet, I ask every family to fill out a short family questionnaire: favorite snacks, favorite shows, games the kids love. Those answers give me prompts that bring out a real smile, a relaxed moment, or that look two people give each other when they forget the camera is there. It’s also how I break the ice with even the toughest teenagers.

There are no bad poses

Most people don’t like being photographed, and that’s completely normal. I’ll give you a small piece of direction, and I want you to take it and make it about your family and have fun with it. Some of the best photos aren’t straight at the camera at all. They’re the conversation you’re having with your kids, or Mom and Dad posing while the kids run circles around them in a game of tag. There are lots of ways to freeze a real moment, and I’ll use all of them.

Close-up of a husband and wife smiling and laughing together outdoors — A real laugh, not a “say cheese.”

Why I often recommend an hour

I offer 30-minute sessions, but I often recommend an hour. In my experience, the real, natural photographs happen between about the 35 and 60 minute marks. That’s when the kids realize they actually have Mom and Dad’s full attention and decide to enjoy it, and the family stops posing and starts interacting. Younger children can take longer to warm up, so the extra time helps most with little ones.

Helping your session go well

Make sure younger kids are well rested and have something in their stomachs. Bringing snacks is welcome.
Little kids are usually the easiest. Teenagers can be harder, and the questionnaire is what helps most with them.
When the kids aren’t cooperating, we play games and lean on the favorites you told me about. Read more in how to get kids to smile naturally and posing for families who hate being photographed.

Pick a spot with options

I like locations that give us several backgrounds in one place. Loose Park is a good example: gardens, fountains, and wooded areas all within a short walk. You can pick your favorite spot, or I’ll scout one for you. See my favorite family photo locations around Kansas City.

Engaged couple kissing beside a garden fountain and pergola — Spur-of-the-moment lifestyle moments from an engagement session.

A man lifting his fiancee off the ground in a joyful hug beside a lake — Lifestyle works for couples too.

Common questions

Will we still get a posed family photo?

Yes. Every family wants at least one classic photo for the wall, and I always take it.

Wide family portrait of two parents and two boys standing on the grass in warm evening light — The classic portrait for the wall.

What if my kids won’t cooperate?

That’s expected. We use the favorites from your questionnaire, play games, and give everyone time to settle in. Many of the best frames come when the kids stop being told what to do.

What if we hate being photographed?

Most people do. You don’t need to look at the camera the whole time. Talk to each other, and I’ll capture it.

Is your style documentary?

No. Documentary photographers often spend a full day with a family. My sessions are focused lifestyle sessions of 30 minutes to an hour.

Want to see more of how I work? Visit the family photography page or read the family photography tips.

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