You’ve got the ring and now it’s time to show it off with engagement photos! Indianapolis offers so many unique locations for engagement shoots all around the city. From flower fields to skyscrapers, here are Indianapolis’s best engagement session spots.

The Gardens at Newfields

If you’re looking for a space with beautiful florals, greenery, and architecture - the Gardens at Newfields is your spot for engagement photos! You can create elegant and casual photos with all the spots available to take photos on the 52 acre property. There is a $50 photography permit fee to have your engagement session here.

You can view an engagement session at the Garden at Newfields here!

Fort Harrison State Park

This state park is located on the east side of Indianapolis and offers very accessible + beautiful photo backdrops. The main paved trail of the park runs through rows of trees all the way around Delaware Lake. Depending on the time of year, there are patches of native wildflowers in bloom. If you do not have an annual Indiana State Parks pass, there is a $7 entry fee.

Holliday Park

A gem in the middle of Broad Ripple, Holliday Park is home to the remains of the St. Paul Building all the way from New York City. Covered in ivy and surrounded by unique florals in the summer, it is a popular spot for engagement sessions. For couples who want a little hike, there are trails in the back of the park that wind through the woods and lead down to the river (these trails do have stairs and small hills). Holliday Park is one of my favorite places for fall engagement sessions. There is a $30 photography permit fee since it is a part of Indy Parks.

Central Park

At first glance into Central Park in Carmel, you may see the waterpark, community center, and playground and think this isn’t a spot for engagement photos. As you move further out from the main areas, you’ll be met with wetlands, prairie grasses, and meadows that don’t feel like a community park at all. The boardwalk under the bridge is my favorite spot here. A photography permit and proof of insurance is required to photograph here but there is no permit fee.

Monument Circle

If you’re leaning towards a city vibe for your engagement photos, Monument Circle shows off some of the best views of the city. My favorite view of Monument Circle is from a parking garage where you can see the buildings and top of the monument in the background but there are plenty of spots to explore in this area!

Lockerbie Street

This neighborhood right off of Mass Ave is a cute spot for city photos without the cityscape. This is one of the best spots in Indy for cobblestone streets and a historic feel. The James Whitcomb Riley Museum house is also located on Lockerbie Street and the red brick home contrasts well with the greenery of the street.

Indiana State House

Whether you’re a history buff or just love detailed architecture, the Indiana State House is such an elegant space for an engagement session. The building is open to the public during the weekdays and you aren’t required to reserve a time or purchase a permit to use the space for photos. The statehouse campus also has pretty spots outside that can showcase the outside architecture and Indianapolis cityscape.

Coxhall Gardens

This elegant 125-acre park in Carmel offers a variety of backdrops for any type of vibe you are wanting for your engagement photos. The main area in the middle of the park offers a classic coliseum feel with the stone pavilion, stairs, and bridge over the lake. Coxhall Gardens also has beautiful willow trees and a boardwalk through the prairie grasses.

Bottleworks District

The Bottleworks District was once Indianapolis’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company but has now been transformed into a hotel, restaurants, and shops. The brick roads and stone exteriors of the buildings offer a unique and historical backdrop. You could even grab food at the Garage or play a round of duckpin bowling at Pins for your shoot. If you are getting married at the Bottleworks Hotel or have a room booked for the evening of your shoot, we can take photos in the lobby and staircase of the hotel, which still has some of the original features from the bottling company.

Places I’d love to have an engagement session at!

Even though I’ve had the opportunity to take photos at so many of Indy’s coolest places, there are still a few that I haven’t had the chance to yet. Here are some more locations I think would make for some great engagement photos!

American Legion Mall - This green space in the middle of the Indiana State Library and Indiana War Memorial reminds me a lot of Washington D.C.! It has unique architecture, fountains, and views of the city all in one area.
Rainbow Wall - The Social Security Admin building downtown has colorfully painted walls on the outside of the building.
White River State Park + the canal - The views along the river and canal make for a great backdrop! You can also have a picnic, rent a kayak, or book a gondola ride down the canal.
Garfield Park Conservatory - A lucious greenhouse that’s perfect for a wintertime engagement session. A photography permit is required and cost $75.
Eagle Creek Reservoir - Located on the westside of Indianapolis, this is a great location for the outdoorsy couples! You can rent kayaks, take your boat on the reservoir, or walk the beaches and trails.

Common Engagement Session Questions

When should I book my engagement session?
This really depends on when you want to send out your invites and your personal preference on season! It usually takes around a month to get your full gallery back so I recommend at least that much time between your shoot and when you want your invites in the mail (remember to take into account the amount of time it will take to order and receive your invites from wherever you order them). If you are wanting nature locations - spring color usually comes back in full bloom end of April-into May. The summer months are great for outdoor locations during sunset. Fall color peaks around mid-October. For city locations, you can really do any time of the year and it will look the same!
What is included in the engagement session?
Engagement sessions usually last 1-1.5 hours and you can have 2 outfits. We can usually fit in 1-2 locations depending on how close they are. You’ll receive an edited gallery with 50+ images within 4-6 weeks of your session.
What if the weather is bad on the day of our session?
Indiana weather can be all over the place, especially in the spring and early summer months. I usually don’t like to make weather postponements until the day of your session since the weather can change so quickly. If conditions don’t look good, I will send you new dates to choose from and we’ll move your session. There are no rescheduling fees due to weather.
What should I wear for my photos?
The first and most important thing is to wear something you love and feel confident in! If you don’t feel great in what you’re in before the session, you more than likely won’t like how you look in your photos. Your photos should show off your personal style, so pick pieces you already love or purchase an outfit that you would still wear on another occasion. I can also give recommendations for color and styles based on the location we pick for your session.

Your engagement session could be free!

Wedding packages that are 8 or more hours included a free gifted engagement session so we can work together before your wedding day! A lot of couples booking their wedding have never had a chance to get professional photos together, so this is a way to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know each other better.

Ready to learn more about wedding packages or book your engagement session? Click the button below to contact me for more info!

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Best Engagement Session Spots in Indianapolis

You’ve got the ring and now it’s time to show it off with engagement photos! Indianapolis offers so many unique locations for engagement shoots all around the city. From flower fields to skyscrapers, here are the best Indianapolis locations for your engagement photos.