You’re engaged! YAY!! This is such an exciting time with your new fiance, and after you’ve spent at least a few weeks soaking in this exciting new chapter and you’ve found your dream wedding photographer, you’ll want to schedule your engagement session so that you can use those images for your save the dates and your wedding website! But planning your engagement session can be daunting, from choosing and coordinating your outfits, to finding a date where the weather is ideal, to choosing a location! So that’s where I come in! I’ve put together this lengthy list of the best engagement photo locations in Indianapolis to make it easier for you two to decide which location may be the best fit for you!
Newfields
If I had to choose the absolute best location for engagement sessions in Indianapolis- it would be Newfields! Located at the Indianapolis Art Museum, the grounds behind it include vast gardens where something is always blooming most of the year! From the iron gate that greets you when you arrive, the beautiful Lilly House and its beautiful arch ways below that service as a gorgeous backdrop, the greenhouse and all of the little pathways! Every time I’m there I think of my favorite childhood movie, The Secret Garden! The only downside is you will have to purchase a $50 photography permit, and it is unavailable certain times of the year, but when it is, it is WELL worth it! See more photos from these engagement sessions at Newfields here, here and here!
Holliday Park
Holliday Park has so many options for photos as well, from the historic brick ruins, to the prairie habitat, over three miles of trails surrounded by wildflowers in the spring and summer, and access to the White River! If you’re feeling frisky we can even get some romantic in the water shots here! The other amazing park about this location, is it’s FREE! See more from this engagement session here!
Laurel Hall
If you’re looking for very classic and regal-like images for your engagement session, then Laurel Hall is the location for you! There are many indoor and outdoor photo opportunities here, including the infamous outdoor stairway with the mansion in the backdrop, to the walkways and patio outdoors that showcase the gorgeous windows and architecture. You can’t beat inside though in the sunroom that boasts gorgeous natural light with classic black and white tile, and beautiful wooden staircase inside. There is a $75 per hour rental fee that we’ll help you book for this location, however, it is oh-so worth it! See more from engagement sessions at Laurel Hall here and here!
“If I had to choose the absolute best location for engagement sessions in Indianapolis- it would be Newfields!”
Center for Performing Arts
Located in the Carmel City Center, the Center for Performing Arts has an impressive limestone building with beautiful columns and planters that allow for quite stunning images. This location is walking distance to the well known Cake Bake Shop, the Monon trail and other Carmel locations to add some variety to your engagement session gallery! This location and parking is FREE and usually we have the place all to ourselves! See more from this session here!
Bottleworks District
The Bottleworks District is such a unique engagement photo location in Indianapolis! If you’re looking for a fun, retro location, this is the perfect spot for you! It’s also a great option in the winter, and the Bottleworks Hotel even allows us to use their cool retro lobby! They have so many fun backdrops, including in front of and on the side of the Bottleworks Hotel, in front of the movie theater and in the middle of the street that’s covered in romantic string lights! This is a great place to go for a date night afterward our session since there is so much to do in this cute area! Parking can be found on the street and is typically only $5! Check out more inspiration photos from these engagement sessions we’ve done here and here!
Monument Circle
Located in downtown Indianapolis, Monument Circle allows for stunning engagement photos! While at this location we can also walk to the War Memorial and the steps of the Central Library to ensure variety in your gallery, as always! I have yet to photograph an engagement session here, but here’s an example from a few recent weddings where we captured bride and portraits! The best part about photographing anywhere downtown, is that it’s FREE! You can expect to pay around $5 for parking by either parking in the Circle Center Mall Garage, or using a street meter! You can see more from an engagement session at Monument Circle here!
War Memorial Plaza
Another one of my favorite engagement session locations in Indianapolis is War Memorial Plaza! There is so much variety here and is a great option if you’re having your session during the winter or early Spring when things are still a little brown since there isn’t much greenery. Another reason I love this spot is everything is very close together, and we can easily walk just a few minutes to other great locations mentioned in this post, like The Central Library and Monument Circle! There is street parking that will be around $5 and it’s usually easy to find a spot! You can see more from engagement sessions we’ve taken at War Memorial Plaza here!
Holcomb Gardens
Holcomb Gardens is another location that makes me feel like I’m in the movie ‘The Secret Garden’. (Any other 90’s babies out there?!) It was one of my favorite movies! There is so much variety here, from the pond and picturesque fountain, the grand staircase, the lush green open landscape and my favorite dreamy weeping willow tree that allows the sunset to poke through oh-so-perfectly! Holcomb Gardens is located on Butler’s campus and is absolutely free! Parking is easy right in the circle drive at the bottom of the hill once you enter the park. You can see more engagement sessions we’ve taken at Holcomb Gardens here!
The Canal Walk
The Canal Walk area has so much variety to it, which is one reason it was very close to being my top pick! If you’re a city lover, have special downtown memories with your fiance and are looking for that kind of vibe then The Canal Walk is an excellent choice! Along the canal we will capture images near some of the brides, the hanging lights and climbing ivy, some of the city art and of course the downtown skyline! This location is close to monument circle, the war memorial and the central library steps as well! We recommend parking at the White River State Park Parking Garage for a quick walk to our favorite part of The Canal. You can see more from sessions on The Canal Walk here, here, and here!
Traders Point Creamery
Traders Point Creamery is a quaint little dairy farm in Zionsville with beautiful open greenscape, gardens, and rustic barns. If you both love nature or the countryside, this may be the location for you! Hey, if we’re lucky maybe we can even find some cows to be in some of the photos! There is a permit fee required, but it’s so beautiful here I promise you will not regret it. They have an amazing restaurant there as well, so why not make a date night out of it since you’re already all dressed up!
Indianapolis Public Library
This location is perfect for the couple who loves books! Grab a coffee and let’s get some photos inside the Central Library together. From the gorgeous tall ceilings and walls filled with books, this location is so pretty! There’s also a gorgeous glass wall backdrop outside that you can’t miss! This location does require a rental fee, but if it’s a good fit for you it will be worth it! See more from this session here!
Your Alma Matter
If you met in college, going back to your alma matter and taking photos in front of some of some of the buildings where you made some of your first memories can be really special! Heck, we may be able to get into the football stadium if you’d like?!
Lockerbie Square
Lockerbie Square is located downtown, and is the perfect location if you’re looking for a quaint city vibe! The cobblestone streets and cute homes and shops look especially charming in the fall when the leaves have changed colors already. We can even get some cute photos at an indoor coffee or ice cream shop along the way!
Coxhall Gardens
Coxhall Gardens is located in Carmel, and filled with so much variety from the brick mansion, weeping willow trees along the pond and arch way. One place you just cannot beat is the limestone amphitheater at golden hour! The light that fills that area is beyond gorgeous and allows for some stunning images! See more from engagement sessions at Coxhall gardens here!
Fort Harrison State Park
Fort Harrison State Park is another location for the nature lover! There are so many trails and woods, as well as classic wooden bridges and creek views. This is a great location if you’re wanting a more casual and laid back vibe, or wanting to have your engagement session with the fall leaves! Entrance fees at Fort Harrison State Park are $7 per person to enter, and I recommend parking at Duck Pond! See more engagement sessions at Fort Harrison State Park here!
There are so many other great engagement photo locations I could add to this list, but hopefully this will give you a good start in making your decision! And as always, you can reach out if you’d like to more ideas from me! I’m always down for going somewhere new!!
These are some great location options! I love the variety of urban and nature. Thank you for sharing!
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