Community Corner

Wichita's Best Photography Spots

Stunning skies and iconic structures provide the perfect backdrops for selfies of family snapshots.

Press Release Desk, News Partner
Sunrise fog at the Keeper of the Plains was shot in March when spring was just arriving in Kansas. The bush makes an awesome foreground as the foggy sunrise gave the background a unique color.
Sunrise fog at the Keeper of the Plains was shot in March when spring was just arriving in Kansas. The bush makes an awesome foreground as the foggy sunrise gave the background a unique color. (Mickey Shannon)

From Visit Wichita:

March 15, 2021

Wichita is home to one of the most photographed places in Kansas: the 44-foot, 5-ton weathered steel sculpture Keeper of the Plains sitting atop a 30-foot pedestal in the middle of the Arkansas River. But Wichita has many more popular locations to photograph. Stunning skies and iconic structures for capturing frameable fine art or creative murals by local artists for the perfect backdrop for your selfie or family snapshot – here’s your guide to finding the best photography spots in Wichita.

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Best Places

Looking for a specific type of photography or setting? Here’s a list of top Wichita sites to photograph based on the type of photography you enjoy. Be sure to check with property owners and facility management for approval to take photos.

Adventure

Find out what's happening in Wichitafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Where are the best places to take adventure photography?

Architectural

Where are the best places to take architectural photography?

From modern to historical, Wichita has many interesting buildings and structures to photograph, including but not limited to:

Black & White

Where are the best places to take black and white photography?

Cityscape/Street/Urban

Where are the best places to take cityscape or urban photography?

Drone/Aerial

Where are the best places to take drone or aerial photography?

(familiarize yourself with local guidelines and regulations before flying)

Family/Portrait/Wedding

Where are the best places to take portraits or family photography?

Landscape

Where are the best places to take landscape photography?

Sports

Where are the best places to take sports photography?

Wildlife

Where are the best places to take wildlife photography?

WichitaHenge

What is WichitaHenge?

WichitaHenge is when the sun sets exactly down the middle of one of Wichita’s downtown east-west streets (should align with the equinoxes twice each year, around March 20 and September 23). An app like Light Trac can be checked for the next available date.

See Darrin Hackney's 5th photo below for an example.

Tips from Professionals

We reached out to five professional photographers to get their thoughts on Wichita’s best photography locations and Instagrammable locations. Check out their suggestions with spectacular examples.

Mickey Shannon

Mickey Shannon Fine Art Photography | Mickey is a fine art nature and landscape photographer based in Wichita.

Keeper of the Plains
I cut my teeth on landscape photography at the Keeper of the Plains over a decade ago. It’s great for both beginners and experienced photographers, and worth visiting in all four seasons. You’ll find ice, snow and fog in the winter; flowers and other growth in the foreground during spring; wild sunflowers for a short period in June; and grasses and trees for warmer tones in the fall. It's also a great place to photograph storms rolling in from spring through summer.

No matter what season, make sure to shoot different angles. One of my go-to spots is on the north bank of the river, using the small waterfall/rapids as a foreground. Shooting from the south bank in summer can be good as the sun sets farther north. When the river and wind are calm, the area above the waterfall can be a great place for a good reflection of the Keeper. Also, getting closer up to the Keeper or the bow-and-arrow inspired bridges can give unique perspectives. Sunrise, in particular, can be awesome from up on the bridges.

Santa Fe Lake Falls
Make sure you visit after a decent rain. Like most waterfalls in Kansas, it will run dry in drought. After a good rain, these falls can flow very fast! Getting low and shooting up at the water can give a sense of depth. Look for a rock that you can use as a foreground object as well.

Klausmeyer Sunflower Farm
Catching a sunflower field in bloom is all about timing (generally ranging late-July to September). Keep an eye on the Klausmeyer Sunflower Farm Facebook page for information on when their fields will be in bloom. I also update this article on my blog when sunflower season begins for fields near Wichita.

Friends University Davis Administration Building
As one of the more impressive structures in Kansas, the Davis Administration Building at Friends University is a work of art when it comes to architecture and history. Every year, they light the clocktower just after Thanksgiving for the Christmas season. It usually stays lit for a while after the holidays, making it a great subject to shoot. The typical composition of the building it to shoot directly down Centennial Lane, which is the large walkway coming from the east (front) of the building. The campus is beautiful in all seasons, so also give it a try in spring, summer or fall.

Click here to see the full press release, including photos.

This press release was produced by Visit Wichita. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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