Hi! I'm new to the KC area (Overland Park, specifically) and am hoping you can help me out with some good locations to shoot around here. Any favorite parks or specific locations that are kid friendly? Looking specifically for Overland Park, Olathe, or Shawnee Mission but am willing to travel further if the location is a good one. I appreciate any info you can procvide to help me get a leg up on the hot spots in the area. For now, my only hot spot is my in-home studio.

welcome!

lots and lots of places to shoot. some require permits thought, so check that out before you go or plan a shoot. There is the Arboretum and a botanical gardens place in Olathe (think both are permit places). Out there i have shot at the railroad park (off 1-35 i think) and there is always shawnee mission park- huge- so go before hand and specify parking are to meet in. Lake n stuff. (and an off leash dog area- but not fenced all the way on the other side of the lake- so beware.)  A really nice park of like 60th and Lamar? ugh. I need to google!  :) 

Down by the plaza- its a little far from you- but there is Loose park- always tons of photographers there shooting. But pretty big and nice bridges. I know there are more places out south towards Gardner as well. Take a day off and go hunting. Many of the best places are in your backyard- but you never realize it. Many time i ask the famiyl what park THEY go to.. then i check it out. Many times that is perfect, close, familiar and unique.

And welcome to KC- where are you from?

Hi and thanks for the welcome greetings. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. My husband's job brought us out this way. I'm really wanting to avoid places that need permits for now. I'd rather get out and check out local areas on my own, like you suggested. I have a listing of Parks in and around Overland Park...but thought I'd ask everyone in case one or two or three parks stood out to them. I may go check out the one in Olathe that you mentioned...or the one in Shawnee. Thanks so much for your input!

I moved from Shawnee a year ago. 

My favorite little secret nook was the Barker Road Access Park in Shawnee.  It's off of Johnson Drive west of 435.  There is a playground and restrooms in the front of the park (I like to shoot where there are restrooms available!), but if you walk down the path just a little bit, you will come upon a beautiful bridge and the path goes through some beautiful wooded areas.  This area is really just used by joggers and bike riders, so not a lot of people around to get in your shot. 

Spring:

Fall:

My other little favorite is Laird Park.  I think it's in Shawnee, but may be in Merriam, and I think it's at Nieman and 55th.  They have a beautiful park, restrooms, playground (nice for after the photo shoot), but the main thing is the beautiful rose garden.  In the rose garden is a little roofed structure with pretty benches and to the side is just a huge green space surrounded by trees.

Good luck!  I'm still finding places to shoot now that I've moved. 

Laura Conyers rose garden in Loose Park is amazing!

Up in the northland, where I'm from, it's a bit far for you but Oak Grove park in Gladstone has some gorgeous oak trees and a pretty pond!

Also in the northland, Penguin Park has a running trail that is gorgeous as well, also a pond!