Family Photo Sessions in Kansas City
Preserving the Moments That Matter
A portrait is more than a high-resolution image — it’s a time capsule. It captures a specific chapter of your life, locking in a memory that only grows more valuable as the years pass. We make those portraits for families all over the Kansas City metro, on both sides of the state line.
See What a Real Session Looks Like
Four kids, six adults, one big Kansas City family — and Marie’s own words about how the day actually went.
As life moves forward, we often find that the people we love are the most precious assets we have. Having experienced the loss of friends and family, I understand deeply that a single photograph has the power to transport you back in time — to hear the laughter, feel the presence of a loved one, and remember exactly who you were in that moment.
“This was my first time ever to use a professional photographer for a family photo. My kids were not looking forward to the ordeal. David was perfect. He immediately put everyone at ease. There were 4 young kids and 6 adults to deal with. He was great with the kids and the adults! He was very flexible in scheduling and helpful in finding the perfect outdoor location. Very easy to work with and did all the group shots that each family wanted. The shoot turned out to be a fun experience! Thank you David for your help and some memorable photos.”Marie
Why Choose Vickshots for Your Family Memories?
The “Price-less” Connection
Whether it’s the chaotic joy of trying to get nine grandkids to look at the lens at once or a quiet, formal sitting, those moments of growing up are fleeting. We specialize in capturing the authentic spirit of your family.
Legacy Building
We don’t just take pictures; we create heirlooms. Our portraits are designed to be looked back upon decades from now, sparking the same smiles and stories you share today.
Your Family, Authentically
The best memories aren’t forced. We work patiently with families of all sizes to ensure the final portrait is a true reflection of your bond.
Where We Shoot Around Kansas City
The spot matters almost as much as the light. These are places we actually shoot family sessions — most sit inside the metro, and we’ll happily drive further when somewhere carries meaning for your family. If you already have a place in mind, bring it to us.
City and Architecture
- National WWI Museum & Memorial — the most famous panoramic view of the Kansas City skyline, and it is hard to beat at sunset or during blue hour.
- Union Station — majestic indoor architecture, high ceilings and chandeliers. Our go-to when the weather refuses to cooperate.
- Country Club Plaza — Spanish-inspired architecture and fountains, plus the holiday lights through the winter.
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts — a modern white landmark that makes for dramatic, graphic portraits.
- Crossroads Arts District — murals, tucked-away alleys, and a younger, more creative feel.
- West Bottoms — gritty warehouses, old bridges and street art when you want something with an edge.
Parks and Gardens
- Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO — the rose garden, the stone bridges, and plenty of open room for a big group.
- Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee, KS — woods, open fields and a lake with a dock. One of the most flexible spots in the metro.
- Unity Village, Lee’s Summit, MO — serene Mediterranean-style buildings, big fountains and rose gardens.
- Weston Bend State Park, 16600 Highway 45 N, Weston, MO — bluff overlooks and wooded trails north of the city.
- Ted Ensley Gardens, 3650 SE West Edge Rd, Topeka, KS — worth the drive west for the gardens and the lake views.
Something a Little Different
- Central Library Rooftop, 14 W 10th St, Kansas City, MO — a giant outdoor chessboard with the skyline standing behind it.
- Kaw Point Park, 1403 Fairfax Trafficway, Kansas City, KS — the downtown skyline seen from across the river.
- Verona Columns, Ensley Ln & Overhill Rd, Mission Hills, KS — quiet Italian-style stone columns with a European feel.
- Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W 135th St, Overland Park, KS — that distinctive colored glass exterior.
- Sac-Osage Roadside Park, Osceola, MO — a quiet stop south of the metro when you want somewhere with no crowds at all.
Not sure which one suits your family? We’ll help you choose based on your group size, the ages of the kids, and the look you’re after. We’ve also written up our favorite family photo locations around Kansas City in more detail.
Family Session Pricing
Fully edited galleries delivered in 5–7 business days · a non-refundable 50% deposit reserves your date
30 Minutes
$250
- 25–30 professionally edited photos
- Free web & social downloads
- Your choice of location · 1 outfit
- Delivery via online gallery
1 Hour
$500
- 35–45 professionally edited photos
- Free web & social downloads
- Your choice of location · 2 outfits
- Delivery via online gallery
1.5 Hours
$850
- 50–75 professionally edited photos
- Free web & social downloads
- Multiple locations within 10 miles · 3 outfits
Booking: a non-refundable 50% deposit reserves your date and time, with the balance due 30 days before your session. Having it settled ahead of time means nobody is thinking about invoices on the day — we can all just enjoy the shoot.
Advance booking: the pricing above is for sessions booked ahead of time. If the date you want is already taken and we need to fit your session in between existing bookings, pricing is subject to change — just ask and I will quote it for you.
Digital files: every package includes web-ready downloads, sized for sharing online and on social. High-resolution files — the ones you want for enlargements and wall prints — are $10 each, or $200 for the entire gallery.
Travel: the first 50 miles are included. 50–100 miles adds $25, 100–150 miles adds $50. Further out than that, get in touch for a quote — we travel well beyond the metro and regularly shoot outside Kansas City.
Before Your Session
Most of the questions families ask me before a shoot come up often enough that I have written them down properly. If you are in the planning stage, start here — or browse the full Kansas City family photography tips collection. Curious about my style? Read what lifestyle family photography is and what to expect.
Planning the day
- Matching vs. coordinating: what to wear — the single most common question I get
- What to wear for fall family photos — twelve color palettes, with a chart to save
- Download the Fall & Winter wardrobe guide (PDF) — the whole thing in one printable file
- The best time of day for outdoor photos — and why it matters more than the location
- What to bring, and what to leave at home
- Picking a place that actually means something to you
- Ten family photo locations around Kansas City
If you are bringing kids
If you hate having your photo taken
- Posing for families who hate being photographed
- What actually happens at a session — so nothing is a surprise
- Get in the photo, mom
Timing and weather
- Your holiday cards start in September — worth reading now if you want cards out on time
- Fall color is coming, and it books up fast
- Do not let the weather win — what happens if the forecast turns
- Beating the Kansas City heat at a summer session
Sessions by town
I photograph families right across the metro. If you are looking for someone closer to home:
Questions Families Ask
How much does a family photo session cost in Kansas City?
Family sessions start at $250 for 30 minutes, $500 for a full hour, and $850 for 90 minutes across multiple locations. Every package includes professionally edited photos, web-ready downloads and an online gallery, and the two larger packages include prints. Full pricing is listed above, and travel beyond the first 50 miles is charged separately.
Where do you shoot family photos around Kansas City?
Anywhere in the metro that suits your family — Loose Park, Shawnee Mission Park, the Country Club Plaza, the WWI Museum lawn and Union Station when the weather turns are all regulars. We shoot both sides of the state line, and we’ll travel further out for places like Weston Bend State Park or Ted Ensley Gardens over in Topeka.
How do I get my toddler to cooperate for family photos?
Bring a small snack or a favorite toy, plan the session around their nap schedule, and don’t put too much pressure on getting one perfect shot — some of the best photos come from the in-between moments, not the posed ones. More on this in how to prep the kids and keep your sanity and getting real smiles out of kids.
What colors look best for family photo outfits?
Coordinated tones work better than matching outfits — pick 2–3 complementary colors across the family rather than everyone in the exact same shirt. Muted, natural colors tend to hold up best outdoors. We broke this down further in matching vs. coordinating: what to wear for family photos, and the fall wardrobe guide walks through twelve ready-made palettes.
How long does a family photo session last?
That depends on the package — 30 minutes for the Mini, a full hour for the 1 Hour session, and 90 minutes across multiple locations for the 1.5 Hour session. A longer booking leaves room for more outfit changes and setups without wearing out younger kids. Here’s what actually happens at a photo session, start to finish.
Should we include our dog in family photos?
Absolutely, if they’re part of the family. Just let us know ahead of time so we can plan a location and pace that works for a pet too.
What is the best time of year for outdoor family portraits?
Spring and fall tend to be most popular for comfortable temperatures and good natural light, but we shoot year-round — golden hour works in any season. See the best time of day for outdoor family photos for why timing matters so much.
Can grandparents join our family session?
Yes — multi-generational sessions are common. Just let us know how many people are joining so we can plan enough time and the right location. If you’d like grandparents in the frame, here’s why they belong there — and if you’re not sure where to shoot, these are our ten favorite family photo locations around Kansas City.
When will our gallery be ready?
Your fully edited online gallery is delivered within 5–7 business days of the session. You will get a link to view every image, download the web and social-sized files included with your package, and order high-resolution files or prints.
How do we book, and how do payments work?
You can book online and pay the non-refundable 50% deposit as you go — 30-minute session, 1-hour session, or 1.5-hour session — or send a message by phone or email with your date, the package you want and a rough location and I will invoice the deposit to hold your slot. Either way, once your date is reserved I send a photography agreement that covers everything included and the delivery timeline, and the balance is due 30 days before the session. Card, Zelle, CashApp and Venmo all work for the balance.
What happens if the weather is bad, or someone gets sick?
Kansas City weather does not always cooperate. If the forecast turns, we either reschedule for the next date that works or move the session to an indoor location when one is available. The same goes if someone in the family wakes up sick — let me know as early as you can and we will find a new date. There is more on this in do not let the weather win.
What is your cancellation policy?
Life happens, and I would always rather reschedule than cancel. Your 50% deposit is non-refundable, but if you let me know at least 48 hours before your session I will move it to a new date — one reschedule is included, and a later change may need a new deposit. A session cancelled with less than 48 hours of notice, or missed without notice, forfeits the deposit, and the session cannot run long to make up for a late arrival. Weather is the exception: if the forecast does not cooperate for an outdoor session, we reschedule at no charge or move indoors when a spot is available. The full cancellation and rescheduling terms are in the photography agreement you sign when you book.
How large a group can you photograph? Can we include extended family?
Most family groups run 15–20 people and fit comfortably within the standard packages. Larger is fine too — I have photographed a reunion group of 60. With a big group we choose the location carefully so everyone ends up in the frame, and I will usually photograph the individual families separately as well as the whole group. Let me know the head count when you book so I can plan enough time.
Do you photograph maternity or newborn sessions?
Yes — maternity and newborn sessions are booked at the same rates as the family packages above. They are usually requested by families I have already worked with rather than something I promote year-round, and they can be a session on their own. Just ask when you get in touch.
Can we order prints, or is it digital files only?
Every package includes free web and social-resolution downloads. High-resolution digital files are $10 each, or $200 for the whole gallery. Prints, canvas and framed art are ordered right from your gallery and ship in about 7–14 days. The 1 Hour and 1.5 Hour packages also include printed photos — you choose those with me and I place the order.
Who owns the photos, and can we share them?
You get a personal-use release to share your images online and to print them yourself once you have purchased the high-resolution files. The web and social downloads included with every package are yours to post right away. I keep the copyright and may use a few favorites from your session in my portfolio, on the website or on social media, unless you would prefer I did not.
Time moves fast. Make sure your memories keep pace.
From multi-generational family gatherings to intimate individual portraits, let us help you lock in the moments you’ll want to visit again and again. We photograph families across Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee and the rest of the metro.
