14 Indoor Locations in Indianapolis to Take Pictures – Family and Engagement Photography in Indy

I personally prefer to take outdoor pictures. There is nothing better than a beautiful outdoor golden hour session. That being said, it isn’t always possible to do an outdoor session. Sometimes it’s too cold and other times sessions get rained out on dates that can’t be moved. So if you are looking for Indianapolis family photography or Indianapolis engagement photography location ideas this list is a great place to start!

So, I often get asked questions about indoor locations in Indianapolis that are good for photography. There are lots of great places. Here is a list of some of my favorites. They are listed in no specific order.

• Downtown Central Library – I should start by saying that there is a fee to photograph in the library. The fee if $50. That being said, it is well worth the money. The lighting in the library is amazing and there is a variety of backdrops inside the one area – the old library (lots of wood and marble), the new library addition (lovely architecture and big windows), and the stacks of books in the actual library.
• Indiana State Museum – The lobby area is very fun to shoot in. They have the large INDIANA statue and lots of fun walls with texture on them. There is also an overhang out the front door of the building. So if it’s raining you can still get some natural light images without getting wet. There is no charge to shoot in the lobby areas of this building.
• Hotel lobbies – Hotel lobbies are also a great place to shoot. I don’t want to call any of them out by name, but they all work well. There typically isn’t a fee to shoot in a hotel lobby, but you may want to get it cleared by an manager before you arrive.
• The Statehouse – The Statehouse is beautiful! They have the lovely stain glass windows, awesome architecture, and even some natural light. The building is only open during business hours so be sure to check their hours before you plan a shoot. There is no fee to shoot here.
• The Circle Center Mall – If you are looking for something a little less formal the Circle Center Mall is perfect. The mall is a great place to do a lifestyle shoot. They have lots of fun lobby areas, great natural lighting, and you can always grab a sweet treat at the end of your session.
• The Arts Garden – This spot has great natural lighting during the day and a fun view at night. The area is a bit small but there are some stairs and balconies that can be fun to shoot on. Be sure to see if there are any events going on in this location before you schedule a shoot there.
• Local Cupcake Shop – There are so many cupcake shops around Indy! Most of them are well decorated and have lots of style. Grab a cupcake and dig in. Cupcake shops are especially perfect for first birthday cake smash sessions! My favorite cupcake shop so far is Sweet Home Cupcake in Fishers, IN.
• Local Coffee Shop – Cupcakes are great for kids, but coffee is awesome for adults. Coffee shops are prefect for your next session. I don’t typically recommend Starbucks, but there are lots of other local coffee shops around the city that make great venues. My favorite one so far is Mo’Joe Coffee House. mojoecoffeehouse.com‎
• Your Home – I LOVE Indianapolis lifestyle photography that takes place in your home. There is nothing more real than where you really live. When you take pictures in your home they end up matching the décor in your home and thus making them perfect for decorating.
• The Butterfly Gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo – There is a sitting fee of $150 and includes up to 4 admission tickets. This fee offers access to the 3.3 acres of outdoor gardens, Hilbert Conservatory (when open with a running show) and Zoo grounds during operating hours. They do schedule the photography sessions during operating hours and around the weddings that take place in the outdoor gardens and Hilbert Conservatory. Payment and a signed contract are due in advance. It is recommend scheduling/booking a photography sessions at least two weeks prior.
• Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens – The Conservatory has a year round green area with beautiful flowers and even a waterfall. There is a $75 fee to photograph here and you have to set up a time before the shoot as they only allow one photographer at a time. One hour of shooting is more than enough time as the conservatory is not large. This is a great place to shoot on cold days if you want some indoor and some outdoor shots as the Sunken Gardens is right outside which offers a perfect outdoor location.
• Parking Garages – Parking garages offer great light and cover. They also offer a nice industrial feel. It’s best if you can find one that is empty.
• My Studio – I’ve got a small studio in the Carmel/Westfield area. It’s a great space for small families, newborns, babies, couples, and maternity session. I would love to show you around my Westfield, IN photography studio.
• Think Outside the Box – I really like taking pictures at a location that has meaning to the couple or family that I’m photographing. So if you and your family loves to play indoor soccer together, let’s go take pictures at an indoor soccer arena. If you and your family are big Butler Basketball fans then let’s do an indoor session in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Location ideas around Indianapolis are endless. Feel free to think outside the box when choosing your location!

**Disclaimer – Please check with the location directly to make sure the information above is accurate.

Are you looking for a great outdoor photography location in Indianapolis? If so, check out my recent blog post – Top 10 Location in Indianapolis to Take Family or Engagement Pictures