Documenting all love stories near or far

Shelby Jane

September 12, 2024

LGBTQ+ Engagement Photos in Downtown Indianapolis | Katie & Maddie

FILED IN: Engagement

As an LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding & elopement photographer I was beyond excited to document Katie & Maddie’s engagement photos in downtown Indianapolis. This excitement came not only from the inclusion of some of Katie & Maddie’s favorite places, but also the fact that this was the 2nd time that I’ve done a session with these lovely ladies! The three of us had a blast exploring some of the most iconic & beautiful locations that downtown Indy has to offer, & I can’t wait to share the highlights here with you all.

LGBTQ+ couple kisses while hugging their dog in a bandana outside for engagement portraits in Downtown Indianapolis.

Photos at the Bottleworks District & Indiana Statehouse

For their session, Katie & Maddie wanted to make sure to incorporate some of their favorite places in Indianapolis as this is the city where the two met & fell in love. Making your engagement photos in Indianapolis unique to your relationship is something I recommend not just to my LGBTQ+ couples, but ANY couple! For Katie & Maddie, this meant we’d start their session in the historic Bottleworks District. This area of Indianapolis was once the sight of the massive Coca Cola bottling company that operated here until 1969. Since 2017 the area has been repurposed & revitalized into one of Indianapolis’ most fun & charming districts.

Photos around the Bottleworks District are always a blast, but Katie & Maddie’s were a bit extra fun thanks to a special guest. Katie & Maddie’s pup Millie joined us for this first stretch of our session, making these photos all the more personal for Katie & Maddie. Together we all spent some time wandering around the Bottleworks District, taking in the scenic beauty & historic presence of the space, all the while Katie & Maddie were loving on one another. It was THE sweetest start to their session, & we still had a lot of exploring left to do.

LGBTQ+ couple squat to pose next to their dog during engagement portraits in Downtown Indianapolis.
Couple kisses while holding their dog on a leash outside the Bottleworks hotel during engagement portraits in Downtown Indianapolis.
Couple kisses while hugging with buildings behind them in Downtown Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Wedding Photographer captures Couple's dog close up as it looks up to the camera.
Women look at each other and smile brightly at each other as they candidly pose for engagement portraits.
Women hold hands and hug their heads together as they walk down a street in downtown Indianapolis for engagement portraits.
Couple candidly looks at the camera as they stand centered in a downtown Indianapolis street during their engagement portraits.
Indianapolis engagement photographer focuses in on couple holding hands as they walk down the street.
Woman in black pants and a white blouse holds hands with her girlfriend in a black dress as they walk their dog in front of Coca Cola Bottling Company in Indianapolis.
Couple sits on steps and laughs candidly with their dog seated in front of them as they pose for engagement portraits in Indianapolis.
Women lean down to pet their dog candidly for a posed LGBTQ+ engagement portrait in Indianapolis.
Girlfriends hold each other as they stand in front of a diamond mural backdrop in Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement Portraits.
Woman leans her head on her girlfriend's shoulder as they hold each other and stand in front of a diamond mural backdrop in Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement Portraits.

Taking Their LGBTQ+ Engagement Photos in the Heart of Downtown Indianapolis

As the sun continued to set, we made our way into the center of downtown Indy for the remainder of our session at the Indiana Statehouse. The avid SJP blog reader may recognize this location from a few of my previous blogs, as it is one of my favorite elopement & wedding venues in downtown Indy. Katie, Maddie, & I chose to use the beautiful exterior of the building as the backdrop for their photos. We first started across the street, taking portraits atop a parking garage looking out towards the statehouse while the sun set in the distance. After a quick outfit change we took the remainder of their LGBTQ+ engagement photos in the heart of Indianapolis, on the statehouse’s front doorstep. The classic architecture of the towering building acted as the perfect final backdrop for this all around wonderful engagement session.

Indianapolis wedding photographer captures downtown Indianapolis from a rooftop during summer.
Women share a kiss on a rooftop with downtown Indianapolis in the background and the sun shining between their faces.
Couple holds hands on the rooftop of a building overlooking the Indianapolis Capital building.
Fiancée's hold hands and smile at each other on a rooftop overlooking the Indianapolis State Capital Building at Golden Hour for engagement portraits.
Fiancée's run candidly on a rooftop overlooking the Indianapolis State Capital Building at Golden Hour for engagement portraits by Indiana LGBTQ+ Photographer.
Fiancée's hug and dance on a rooftop overlooking the Indianapolis State Capital at Golden hour for engagement portraits.
Fiancée's hold hands as they walk on a rooftop overlooking the Indianapolis State Capital at Golden hour for engagement portraits.
Fiancée's look at each other and smile with the Indianapolis State Capital in the background at Golden Hour for beautiful engagement portraits by Indiana LGBTQ+ Photographer.
Fiancée's run candidly on a rooftop overlooking the Indianapolis State Capital Building at Golden Hour for engagement portraits.
Fiancée's lean up against a white wall on a rooftop overlooking downtown Indianapolis.
Fiancée's look at each other and smile softly while sitting against a white wall for romantic engagement portraits in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis LGBTQ+ Engagement photographer captures feet in white heels draped over her fiancée's legs in black pants and black loafers.
Woman stands smiling candidly at her fiancée on the top of a rooftop overlooking downtown Indianapolis for Engagement portraits.
Woman stands smiling at her fiancée on the top of a rooftop overlooking downtown Indianapolis for Engagement portraits.
Women kiss on a rooftop overlooking Downtown Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement portraits.
Women pose on a rooftop overlooking Downtown Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement portraits.
Women hug and smile as they pose on a rooftop overlooking Downtown Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement portraits.
Women look at the camera and smile as they pose on a rooftop overlooking Downtown Indianapolis for their LGBTQ+ Engagement portraits.
Woman wraps her arms around her fiancée as they hug and look at each other candidly while walking in front of the Indianapolis State Capital Building during their engagement portraits.
Woman wraps her arms around her fiancée as they hug candidly while walking in front of the Indianapolis State Capital Building during their engagement portraits.
Indianapolis engagement photographer captures couples hands held showing off their mini tattoos on their arms and hands.
Woman in black holds her fiancée's face and kisses her as they stand in front of a large wooden backdrop in front of the Indianapolis State Capital building.
Woman sits on a ledge at the Indianapolis Capital building as her fiancée stands beside her and leans up to kiss her for engagement portraits.
Woman sits on a ledge at the Indianapolis Capital building as her fiancée stands beside her and they smile for the camera for engagement portraits.
Woman sits on a ledge at the Indianapolis Capital building as her fiancée stands beside her and leans up to kiss her for engagement portraits.
Woman sits on a ledge as her fiancée stands beside her and they look at each other romantically.

I had the best time documenting Katie & Maddie’s relationship in the city where their love story first started! I’m so glad that they chose me to be their photographer & can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two. For more tips on planning an engagement session in Indianapolis check out this article I wrote for all the details, & if you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ inclusive photographer to document your engagement photos, elopement, or wedding be sure to send me an inquiry ASAP so we can reserve your date today!

Woman gives her girlfriend a piggy back ride in front steps for fun engagement portraits in Indianapolis.
Woman gives her girlfriend a piggy back ride in front steps for fun engagement portraits in Indianapolis.

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