Top 5 Photography Spots in Indianapolis

Looking for the ideal spot to book your next session in Indianapolis? The right location and setting helps define the look and feel of your photos and can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your session. Check out my recommended spots below.

Coxhall Gardens

Located near 116th and Shelborne in Carmel, there's a wide variety of options across this 125 park. Whether it's the beautiful centerpiece and surrounding wildlife, the pond with fountains outlined by aged weeping willows, or the children's playground there are wonderful combinations of nature, water, and architecture all unique to this particular park. The two bell towers can provide some wonderful brick backdrops and the mansion along with the accompanying barn can provide some modern yet rustic settings for your photos as seen below. You really can't go wrong with shooting at Coxhall and the location is beautiful any time of the year!

Holliday Park

Located on Springmill Rd. near 64th St, Holliday Park sits on 94 acres and has a wide range of settings to choose from. This park is unique with its ruins centerpiece, with lots of landscaping and water features surrounding the tall columns. Moving away from the center piece there are beautiful trees and grasses that present a pleasant backdrop, and then a walking trail down to the water front is surrounded by flower beds and a wooded area with stone steps that have several photo opportunities. Once your session is complete you can spend some time in their nature center which has some fun interactive activities for young children. 

Holcomb Gardens

Holcomb gardens on Butler University's campus is one of the best spring/fall locations in the city. With dense foliage, waterfalls, a lake, and an iconic pedestrian bridge the colors and settings available in this area are unique and beautiful, particularly with new spring blooms or the changing fall colors. This one is especially recommended for engagement or family sessions!

Holcomb Gardens All Rights Reserved

Holcomb Gardens All Rights Reserved

Monument Circle

Looking for a urban setting? Downtown at the circle is one of the best in the city. Close to the canal and other downtown areas such as the South Bend Chocolate Company and the Hilbert Circle Theater. the circle provides several settings from its limestone stairs, to the two large fountain pools. Built in 1902, the monument feature several limestone statues recognizing hoosiers who have fought in conflicts from the American Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and other battles. The architecture and symmetry presented here allow for some iconic and modern settings for your photos. 

Trevor Mahlmann All Rights Reserved

Cool Creek Park

Located near 151st Street and Meridian, this 90 acre park has four pavilions and four miles of rustic walking trails with a creek and some smaller bridges. Cool Creek also features a nature center that is fun and engaging for younger children. This spot is definitely more rustic and natural then the other options but is ideal for a quiet, private, natural setting.

Klein Prom Sneak Peek

What an evening! I had the pleasure of spending time at the Klein household photographing their pre-prom activities as about 50 high schoolers celebrated together along with their families. The group was fun and there was plenty of laughter and hugs as I thoroughly enjoyed trying to document every moment. It was hard to pick just a few pictures to attach this sneak peek, (there's over 1,000 shots to sort through) but this is a start! Click the photos to zoom in.

New Lens Day is the Best Day

A new addition to my lens selection was made this last week, as I happily added a Nikkor 85mm f1.4g to the family! This lens is a beautiful portrait lens, with incredible clarity and sharpness created with the help of Nikkor's high end nano crystal coating. The f1.4 aperture can easily create beautiful bokeh and minimal depth of field which allows for some beautifully artistic shots and perspective. I had the privelidge of borrowing this lens when my wife was in the hospital for the birth of our second daughter, and the photos taken with this lens were by far some of the best I've ever taken. Several of these photos are on my portrait gallery page.

I'm looking forward to many great shots from this phenomenal lens!

 

Nikkor AF-S 85mm f1.4G