Lucy & Cooper’s Folklore-Inspired Engagement Session at Shawnee Mission Park


There are some sessions that just feel like magic from the moment they begin, and Lucy and Cooper’s engagement session at Shawnee Mission Park was exactly that.

From the soft golden light to the quiet trails winding through the trees, everything about the evening felt like it belonged in the world of Folklore. If you’re familiar with the album, you know the feeling—peaceful, nostalgic, a little dreamy, and full of storytelling. That’s exactly the atmosphere Lucy and Cooper brought with them.

A Dreamy Evening in the Trees


A couple embraces in a golden sunset field with evergreen trees and bare branches silhouetted in the background.
Two hands reach towards each other against a golden sunset with evergreen trees in the background.
Romantic couple in wedding attire embracing during golden hour sunset in a natural outdoor setting.

Shawnee Mission Park is one of my favorite locations for engagement sessions in the Kansas City area because it has so much variety. Open fields, quiet wooded trails, tall grass that glows at sunset—it’s the perfect place for couples who want their photos to feel natural and romantic.

Lucy and Cooper leaned right into that vibe.

Lucy wore a soft, flowing dress that moved beautifully in the breeze, and Cooper kept things classic and relaxed. Together, they had the kind of chemistry that makes photographing couples effortless. They spent most of the session laughing, wandering down the trails, and stealing quiet little moments together.

The Folklore Feeling

If you had told me this session was inspired by Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, I would have believed you immediately.

There was something about the way Lucy and Cooper interacted that felt timeless—like a story unfolding slowly in the woods. The soft colors, the natural setting, and the calm evening light all worked together to create photos that felt intimate and cinematic.

It was less about posing and more about letting them simply be together. Walking hand in hand. Whispering something that made the other laugh. Pausing for a moment to watch the sun dip behind the trees.

Those are always the moments that feel the most real.

Why Shawnee Mission Park is Perfect for Engagement Photos

For couples in the Kansas City area looking for a location that feels both natural and romantic, Shawnee Mission Park is always one of my top recommendations.

It offers:

  • Beautiful golden hour light
  • Scenic trails and wooded areas
  • Open grassy fields that photograph beautifully
  • A peaceful setting away from busy city locations

It’s especially perfect for couples who want engagement photos that feel relaxed, storytelling-focused, and a little bit whimsical.


Counting Down to the Wedding

Lucy and Cooper’s session felt like stepping into a quiet love story, and it made me even more excited for everything ahead in their journey together.

Sessions like this are a reminder that engagement photos don’t need to be overly posed or complicated. Sometimes the best photos come from simply wandering through a beautiful place with the person you love most.

Lucy and Cooper, thank you for trusting me to capture this season of your story. I can’t wait to see what comes next for you both.


Looking for engagement photos in the Kansas City area?

If you’re dreaming of engagement photos that feel natural, romantic, and true to your story, I’d love to photograph this season of your life.

Reach out to Nichole Storey Photography to start planning your session.

A romantic couple embraces in a golden field at sunset with bare trees in the background.
Black and white romantic wedding photos show a couple embracing in a natural outdoor setting with bare trees.
A couple embraces in a romantic outdoor photoshoot at sunset with golden light filtering through bare tree branches.
A couple embraces in a romantic outdoor setting during golden hour with bare winter trees in the background.
Two hands reach towards each other against a sunset-lit backdrop of evergreen trees and foliage.
A black and white photograph shows two people outdoors near an evergreen tree on a hillside.
A couple embraces in a golden sunset field with evergreen trees and bare branches creating a romantic outdoor setting.
A couple in white dress and suit walk through a golden field at sunset as bare winter trees frame the scene.
A couple in white clothing dances together in a golden sunlit field during sunset.
A couple shares a romantic moment at sunset in a field with bare trees and golden light filtering through the branches.
A black and white photograph shows a couple embracing in a field with bare winter trees in the background.
A romantic black and white photograph of a couple embracing outdoors under a bare winter tree.
A romantic outdoor photo of a couple embracing in a natural setting with bare trees and golden sunlight.
A joyful couple embraces and spins together in a natural outdoor setting captured in black and white.
A couple runs playfully through a grassy field at sunset while holding hands and smiling.