Molli + Ethan // A Summer Engagement Session at Newfields in Indianapolis
When M + E first started thinking about their engagement session, they asked me for location ideas. I initially tossed out the idea of turning it into a date night in their own neighborhood.. something relaxed, personal, and reflective of this season of their life. But M knew she wanted something different. Something with a really beautiful building or architecture.
I sent over a handful of my favorite Indianapolis engagement photo locations with that feeling, and her response came back pretty quickly: “Newfields is stunning!” And we were off. It ended up being exactly the right choice.
Newfields gave us the historic architecture, manicured gardens, fountains, mature trees, and polished setting they were drawn to, while M + E brought all the personality. Because as beautiful as a location can be, I never want it to become the most important thing in the photograph.
The location should only accentuate who the couple is inside of the image.
An Engagement Session That Felt More Like a Monday Night Date
One of the things I hear most often before an engagement session is some version of: We've never done this before. After photographing people for 15 years, I can safely say, most people haven't. You aren't supposed to arrive knowing how to stand, where to put your hands, or what to do when someone points a camera at you. That's my job.
Before we really got started, I told M + E that I needed them to play together, have a great time, and lean into the fact that they were essentially on a date on a Monday night. They took that assignment pretty seriously. They're naturally affectionate and playful together, and that's what I wanted to make room for in the photographs.
I'll always give direction when it's needed. I know how to pose a couple so they feel confident and look incredible but I also know when to stop directing. I like to pose, and then let the pose breathe. That's usually when the photograph becomes theirs. A hand moves. Someone laughs. They look at each other differently. The polished pose gives way to an expression I couldn't have manufactured for them. That's the balance I'm always looking for: enough guidance that you never feel like you're being followed by paparazzi, but enough freedom that the people looking back at you in the photographs still feel completely like you.
Two Outfits, Two Sides of Newfields
M had mentioned before the session that she was bringing two white dresses — one dressier and one more casual. E planned a button-up for one look and jeans with a casual green tee for the other. Immediately, I knew I wanted to use that wardrobe change to our advantage.
We paired their dressier looks with the manicured gardens and fountains. It gave those photographs a polished, romantic quality without feeling overly formal. And the August sunshine was sunshining. Rather than fighting it, we let it become part of the photographs. The bright summer light added energy that felt especially fitting for M + E and kept the polished surroundings from feeling too serious.
For their second look, we changed things up. M's longer, more casual white dress and E's jeans and green tee went against the formality of Lilly House and I loved the juxtaposition. Instead of matching a formal building with an equally formal wardrobe, their relaxed clothing made the setting feel fresh. E's green shirt worked especially beautifully against all of the greenery surrounding the property, while M's white dress picked up the light architectural elements of Lilly House.
It was coordinated without being coordinated. Elevated without looking overly styled. Exactly where I like an engagement session to land.
Why I Love Newfields for Engagement Photos
If your engagement-session wish list includes historic charm, a little Nancy Meyers energy, beautiful architecture, polished gardens, fountains, greenery, and mature trees, Newfields is hard to beat. There's also enough variety throughout the property that you don't need to choose between architecture and nature. You can have both.
We were able to move between the gardens, fountains, greenery, and Lilly House without the session feeling disjointed. Even on one of the hottest days of August, much of our walk was shaded and genuinely beautiful.
There is walking involved, so plan accordingly (especially when choosing shoes) but moving between locations feels like part of the experience rather than simply getting from Point A to Point B.
And yes, Newfields is beautiful. Other people know that too. I prefer choosing days and times when crowds are likely to be lighter, but this is a public destination and there may be other visitors around. It's something I consider while planning where and when we'll photograph rather than expecting to have an entire garden to ourselves.
Newfields also requires photographers to arrange a photography pass and photograph during the scheduled window, so that's something we'll account for while planning your session.
Is Newfields the Right Engagement Photo Location for You?
This is where I don't think there's one “best” engagement location in Indianapolis. There's only the location that best supports you. If you love historical charm, established gardens, greenery, beautiful architecture, and a polished daytime date feeling, put Newfields high on the list.
If you tell me you want something a little sexier.. a great bar, city lights, cocktails, movement, and the feeling of wandering through downtown together in the evening, I'm probably going to steer you toward one of Indianapolis' downtown neighborhoods instead.
Neither is better. They're simply telling different stories. And that's why I don't want couples choosing an engagement location just because they've seen beautiful photographs there before.
I want to know what you're drawn to. Sometimes that's the neighborhood where you live. Sometimes it's the lake where you spend every summer. Sometimes it's a downtown date night. And sometimes you see the gardens and historic architecture at Newfields and immediately say: That's it.
For M + E, that was it. And against all of that beautiful architecture, sunshine, greenery, and those perfectly manicured gardens, my favorite part of their photographs is still exactly what it should be: them.
Planning Engagement Photos at Newfields?
If Newfields feels like your kind of place (or you're still trying to decide what Indianapolis engagement location actually feels like the two of you) I'd love to help you figure it out. Location is part of the story, but it doesn't need to define it. We'll choose somewhere beautiful, I'll take care of the photography part, and you two can concentrate on having a really good date together.