My favorite place to capture people will always be in my studio or their home because that is where your story begins after all! … But there are still many other wonderful locations all around Indianapolis. The right type of 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 list below. I’ve separated them into natural and urban locations. Make sure to check out my list of urban locations here.
Natural/Park Locations for Photo Sessions
1. Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana
Conner Prairie has so many great spots for photos! The Conner House for one, was built nearly 200 years ago and newly restored would make a beautiful backdrop, or take a step back in time to Prairie town, or one of the other many, many options they have on their huge grounds.
2. Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve in Fishers, Indiana
A peaceful spot with various backdrops including beautiful wild flowers, wooded spots, grassy areas, and even a swamp trails. Ritchey Woods is one of only two state designated nature preserves in Hamilton County. If you want to get back to nature this would be a perfect spot for your family.
3. Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, Indiana
A favorite Indiana apple orchard featuring Farm Store, Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patch, Tuttle’s Cafe & Sweet Shop, Corn Maze, Tractor Rides. There are so many options to capture your family while doing an activity!
4. Stoney Creek Farms in Noblesville, Indiana
Stoney Creek is a special place where families can have a real farm experience situated on 50 acres of rolling farmland and woods. This is a perfect place to have your family photo session if your family tradition includes taking a hayride to the field to choose and cut your own Christmas tree. It's environmentally friendly, and for every tree that is cut down on the farm they plant two more to take its place. So no need to feel bad about cutting down a tree!
5. Forest Park in Noblesville, Indiana
Another versatile park for family pictures. There is so much to offer at this park as well! There are large, mature trees, a golf course, bridges, fences, flowers, trails, a carousel… the list could go on. It’s a good park to have a session at any time of day because there is so much shade.
6. Potter’s Bridge Park in Noblesville, Indiana
Just down the road from Forest Park is Potter’s Bridge. There is an old covered bridge as well as an open field with tall grasses and wildflowers. The sun sets right behind this field, making it a popular park, especially in the evening.
7. Flowing Well Park in Carmel, Indiana
This cute little park in the East Carmel area has a lot to offer. There is a pedestrian bridge, lots of walking trails and a creek! Kids love this park because they like to play in the creek, skip rocks and explore which is perfect to get some candid activity photographs.
8. Cool Creek Park, Carmel, Indiana
This 90 acre park has four pavilions and four miles of rustic walking trails with a creek and neat 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.
9. Coxhall Gardens, Carmel, Indiana
There's a wide variety of options across this one-of-a-kind 125 acre park. Whether it's the elegant centerpiece and surrounding wildlife or the pond with fountains outlined by aged weeping willows, there are wonderful combinations of nature, water, and architecture all unique to this park. The bell towers provide some wonderful brick backdrops and the mansion along with the accompanying barn can provide some modern yet rustic settings for your photos. You really can't go wrong with this location.
10. Holliday Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
Located on located just six miles north of downtown, 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. There are beautiful trees and grasses that present a stunning backdrop, a waterfront surrounded by flower beds, and a wooded area with stone steps, so there are several photo opportunities.
Tell me what you think! DId I miss a place that you think should make the list? I’d love to hear from you!
Don’t forget to check out the Urban locations list here.