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24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Around Indianapolis

Couples, Engagements, Wedding Tips

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Indiana’s Most Romantic Locations For Photographers


One of the questions I’m most often asked by my couples once they’ve booked is “where should we take our engagement photos?”

I get it – you’re recently engaged, fricking excited, and have jam-packed your calendar with to-dos for the wedding! And I bet scheduling your engagement session is going to be one of the first things to get crossed off your list. If you’re anything like me, I need fun activities scheduled and all the details ironed out ASAP. That way I can put all the details into my calendar and then move on to counting down the days until it happens!!

Indianapolis has amazing options when it comes to engagement session locations! Full of both urban and natural spots, how do you go about choosing a location that’s right for you? I always tell my couples to pick a place that has meaning to them and their relationship. Do you enjoy hiking together? Let’s pack our gear and trek through one of the state parks! Do your date nights include enjoying the local food and beverage scene? Let’s wander around Mass Ave or Fountain Square! I truly love how diverse Indiana is when it comes to photo sessions – it has lakes, streams, hills, valleys, ponds, trails, fall colors, and snow -all depending on the season it is!

While it can be overwhelming to pick a spot for your engagement session, today’s post is so you can see some photogenic locations that Indiana has to offer!! So without further ado, here are 24 of the best places to take engagement photos around Indianapolis!

1. Newfields

Formerly the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Newfields is a popular spot for capturing engagement photos and it’s easy to see why! The beautiful architecture paired with the gorgeous landscaping, trees, and bridges affords so many amazing spots to capture images. The popular LOVE statue was a draw for many years for sessions but has been moved inside to preserve its integrity due to its popularity (Jon and I actually have a photo with it from our own engagement session!). Something that should also be noted is Newfields does require a $50 photo permit to shoot there, but it is WELL worth it for images like these!!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Newfields

2. Canal Walk

Nestled in the heart of downtown, the canal walk is full of amazing variety when it comes to engagement photos! There is tons of greenery, waterfalls, bridges, walking paths, architecture, and it affords amazing views of the Indianapolis skyline that are hard to pass up!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Canal Walk

3. Indianapolis Arts Center

Talk about a fun spot for capturing your engagement photos! The Artspark attached to the Indianapolis Arts Center is a 12-acre sculpture garden that connects to the Monon Trail with access to the White River. It features an outdoor amphitheater, walking paths, a riverfront deck, and over 30 public pieces of artwork. So if you love nature but also enjoy bright, bold colors, this spot may just be for you!

4. Monument Circle

Is there anything more instantly recognizable from Indianapolis than the Soldier & Sailors Monument on Monument Circle?! I love shooting here for the clean, bright backgrounds and fun downtown atmosphere!!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Monument Circle
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Monument Circle

5. Indianapolis Public Library

For all you bookworms out there, the Indianapolis Public Library may be right up your alley to include in your engagement photos! It’s a quick 10-minute walk from Monument Circle, where with a permit you can snap some photos inside among the stacks as well as outdoors with its unique architecture.

6. Fort Harrison State Park

I love, love, love shooting at Fort Harrison State Park! There are acres full of natural elements including hiking trails, bridges, streams, scenic vistas, Fall Creek, and Delaware Lake. You can get tons of fun photos here doing an activity you love, like biking, having a picnic, or walking your dog!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Fort Harrison State Park

7. Laurel Hall

It doesn’t get better than Laurel Hall! Settled among six acres of lawns and gardens, this historic mansion is full of intricate woodwork, fantastic archways, gorgeous hardwood floors, and an abundance of windows you can’t help but love!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Laurel Hall
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Laurel Hall

8. Brown County State Park

Located 45 minutes south of Indianapolis in Nashville, IN, Brown County State Park would be the park I’d choose to get stuck in forever if I had to! Billed as the largest of the 24 state parks in Indiana, it is known for its amazing scenic views of the hills of southern Indiana.

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Brown County State Park
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Brown County State Park

9. Village of West Clay

West Clay is a beautifully manicured neighborhood with fountains and water features that pair perfectly with the businesses that serve as bright, clean backdrops!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Village of West Clay
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Village of West Clay

10. Holcomb Gardens

The number one thing I love about Holcomb Gardens is the gorgeous willow trees! *SWOON* Holcomb Gardens is situated in the middle of Butler University’s campus and is a serene spot if you’re looking for more of a natural feel for your engagement photos. There are numerous bridges, a lake, gorgeous stone stairs, trees, a gazebo, flower garden, and it overlooks the Central Canal.

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Holcomb Gardens
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Holcomb Gardens

11. Mass Ave

If an urban feel is more your style, Mass Ave has plenty of photo opportunities to take advantage of! It’s located on the northeast side of downtown Indianapolis and is a hub for local art, food, galleries, shops, and more.

12. White River State Park

Connected to the Canal, White River State Park is another fun spot to capture engagement photos downtown! There are yet more amazing views of the Indianapolis skyline and it is the home to many well-known Indianapolis attractions including Victory Field, the State Museum, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the NCAA Hall of Champions. It’s fun to find hidden gems among so many amazing spots!

13. Coxhall Gardens

If there is one location on this list I shoot the most at, it’s Coxhall Gardens! It is located north of Indy in Carmel and boy is it a beauty! It boosts gorgeous buildings, fields, bridges, a bell tower, willow trees, and an amphitheater. It’s also large enough that you can grab amazing unobstructed views of the sunset, which is a must-have for any engagement session!!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Coxhall Gardens
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Coxhall Gardens

14. Lockerbie Square

A quick walk from the Circle will land you in Lockerbie Square, a quaint neighborhood with mature trees, historic homes, cobblestone streets, and endless amounts of charm.

15. Your Alma Mater

Indianapolis is full of so many beautiful college campuses! I always tell my couples to choose locations that are meaningful to them when choosing a spot and what is more meaningful than your alma mater?! BROWNIE POINTS if you met there too!! EXTRA BROWNIE POINTS if you choose to head to Purdue like Jessica and Justin did so I can visit my own alma mater!! ðŸ˜‰

16. Glenns Valley Nature Park

Originally known as Bluff Road Estates, Glenns Valley Nature Park was deeded over to the city of Indianapolis back in 1992. The Indy Parks has made gorgeous improvements as it has been converted into a nature area and maintained to encourage the growth of native Indiana foliage.

17. Center For The Performing Arts

The Center For The Performing Arts is a stunning concert hall up in Carmel and is perfect for a more classic, timeless set of engagement photos. There are beautiful gardens to stroll through and it is adjacent to the Carmel City Center.

18. War Memorial

The Indiana World War Memorial was constructed to honor the veterans of WWI and is another of those instantly recognizable Indianapolis spots. The Memorial serves as the centerpiece of the plaza and connects to University Park, the oldest part of the plaza, and is full of gorgeous paths, statues, and fountains. Plus the upper level is a perfect spot for including the Indianapolis skyline in your photos!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Indiana War Memorial
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Indiana War Memorial

19. Fountain Square

Fountain Square is a fun, upbeat urban area located just south of downtown. It’s perfect for a more retro/artsy vibe and it is full of a variety of bakeries, breweries, and an eclectic mix of shops selling anything from comic books to musical instruments. And you can’t forget the Fountain Square theater, a fun photo opportunity located in the heart of the Fountain Square neighborhood.

20. Eagle Creek State Park

Eagle Creek State Park is one of those spots with so much variety that I could photograph 1,000 sessions here and none would look the same. There are numerous fields, hiking trails, bridges, lake views, nature paths and so much more to choose from!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Eagle Creek Park
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Eagle Creek Park

21. Downtown Noblesville

This spot is for those looking for a spot near Noblesville! The downtown area has a gorgeous courthouse nestled into the center of town and it is a perfect backdrop for timeless photos and is surrounded by beautiful shops and alleys. It’s a beautiful city square that is full of charm!

22. Cataract Falls

This is a newer location I found and boy it is so fun! Cataract Falls is a waterfall located about an hour outside of Indianapolis in Lieber State Park in Cloverdale, Indiana.

23. Holliday Park

Holliday Park is a gorgeous spot located along the White River and is one of Indianapolis’s oldest parks. It contains tons of trails, walking paths, open fields, an arboretum, a nature center, and a boardwalk that leads down to the White River. They also have some unique ruins and statues that make for a fun addition to your engagement photos!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Holliday Park
24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Holliday Park

24. Oliver Winery

One hour outside the Indianapolis area, there is the beautiful Oliver Winery. The vineyard is located on a hill that gets the most beautiful sunset light, it’s best for spring, summer, and early fall sessions while the vines are still lush!

24 Best Places To Take Engagement Photos Near Me In Indianapolis Olivery Winery

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