The beautiful kansas city metro


Every year I open applications to juniors going into their senior year for the most unique, once in a lifetime opportunity! The name of the chosen group is what I love to call - The Sweet Magnolias! It just fits so perfectly with the idea and it gives them an exclusive name. After this years applications, it was time to get down to the nitty gritty of planning group sessions, which included our introductory shoot! The introductory session is one of the biggest group shoots we do, and the most important. This year, we decided to go to Kansas City!


Leading up to the session I was busy as a bee gathering supplies and hand making the teams gift baskets. Gift baskets are my favorite thing to give on the first session. It's a sweet basket of branded swag and gifts, every senior would love! This year, I decided to make my own floral glass tumblers using press on flowers from Walmart and water-based polyurethane from Michaels. I even painted tote bags with magnolia stencils!

Sweet Magnolia branded tote bag with floral design displayed with a glass tumbler and white rose.
Floral glass tumbler with bamboo lid and straw styled with white rose on gold decorative tray.
Close-up of floral glass tumbler with gold necklace draped over white rose on decorative tray.

If you haven't been to the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City, or Loose Park, your missing out!


Driving from Wichita to Kansas City takes you about 2.5-3 hours, especially if there's traffic. We had planned on meeting at 3:30pm which meant I had to leave Wichita around 12:30, but luckily, one of my senior reps is a sweet girl from my work place and they decided to carpool! It definitely helped make the drive more enjoyable. When we had arrived at the Nelson Atkins, you could already tell it was a very popular place for photos! There were so many photographers and clients so we patiently waited our turn, and worked quickly to give time to the next photographers.

Back view of three young women in pastel summer dresses walking arm in arm between stone columns.
Blonde teenage girl in a light blue sleeveless dress leaning against a stone column wearing pearl jewelry.
Young woman with long blonde hair smiling in a light blue halter mini dress and white sandals outdoors.
Teen girl in floral off-shoulder dress poses gracefully between stone columns in warm sunlight.
Three smiling young women in pastel dresses walking arm in arm between elegant stone columns outdoors.
Young woman in off-shoulder floral mini dress poses between stone columns in natural light.
Three young women in pastel summer dresses posing together between stone columns in bright sunlight.
Smiling teen girl in off-shoulder floral dress poses for senior portrait in warm natural light.
Smiling teen girl in light blue bow-front dress poses with hand in hair for senior photos.
Teen girl in light blue dress smiles over shoulder wearing gold jewelry for senior portraits.
Three laughing young women in light blue and floral summer dresses standing between stone pillars outdoors.
Teen girl in light blue bow-front sundress poses between stone columns for senior portraits.
Three teenage girls in pastel dresses striking a serious pose between white columns in an elegant setting.

After Nelson Atkins, we had planned on one more location, Loose Park! Luckily, Loose Park was only 6 minutes away from the museum so it didn't take long for us to arrive. However, parking was limited due to the popular park and a beautiful sunny day! When we all got parked we met at the beautiful Rose Garden located on the boarder of the park. Unfortunately their water fountain was down due to the drought but the stone pillars and english crawling vines made up for it! After a few group shots and individual photos it was time to wrap up the day with the giving of the swag baskets. The girls were excited to say the least! I can't wait to share what's happening next! Be sure to check back in often for new sessions and updates. Enjoy my favorite images from Loose Park below!

Young woman in floral sundress walking gracefully under stone pergola in garden.
Blonde teenage girl in a cream ruffled dress posing beside a stone pillar in a sunlit garden.
Teen girl in floral dress posing beside stone column on sunlit garden path.
Teen girl in pink dress holding shoes, posing on garden path near stone pergola.
Blonde teen girl in white wrap top and jeans posing near blooming rose bushes.
Three teen girls in colorful summer dresses chatting together on a garden path.
Three teenage girls sitting on grass sharing colorful drinks and snacks during an outdoor picnic.
Smiling teen girl in floral dress with hands in hair, standing in garden.
Young woman in white top and jeans sitting on grass admiring white roses in a sunlit garden.
Teenage girl holding a Sweet Magnolia tote bag while sitting with friends on grass outdoors.
Three smiling teenage girls sitting on grass enjoying snacks and treats under a flowering tree.
Young woman in white top and jeans sitting on grass flexing arms beside white roses under a pergola.
Smiling teenage girl with curly hair in white crop top and pink pants touching green leaves in garden.
Four young women in casual spring outfits pose together laughing in a garden with pink roses.
Young blonde woman in a white flowy mini dress smiling under a stone pergola in a garden setting.