Hannah + Benjamin — Sunset at Holcomb Gardens

A stroll through one of Indianapolis’ most gorgeous gardens for an engagement session photographed hybridly on digital and film.

This September evening gave us the dreamiest ambience for an engagement session at the Holcomb Gardens at Butler University in Indianapolis. This place is always gorgeous, but with that early fall glow and the quiet calm of the gardens? It felt like the perfect setting to celebrate two people in love.

From the start, the feel of this session was easy, relaxed, + completely stress-free. We didn’t rush. We didn’t overthink. We just walked, laughed, admired the natural setting surrounding us, and let the evening unfold as it wished. And honestly — that’s what makes for the best engagement photos. When the pressure is off, you can shift the focus to enjoying being together, and that joy always shines through the camera.

Holcomb Gardens has so many beautiful spots tucked into its landscape — grand stone steps, the pond reflecting soft light, the tall trees that feel like a canopy overhead. We explored a little bit of everything, letting the couple’s energy guide us. Their laughter traveled across the garden, and each little moment felt lighthearted and real — no forced poses, no stiff smiles.

As the sun dipped lower, the golden light wrapped around them in that warm way you expect from those final summer evenings. There’s something so timeless about documenting love in a space as serene as the Holcomb Gardens. You can almost feel the photos becoming memories right as you take them.

This evening reminded me why I love engagement sessions so much. It’s not about being “photo-ready” or nailing perfect poses. It’s about creating a space where couples feel comfortable, seen, and genuinely themselves. And that’s exactly what we had here: two people, a gorgeous September evening, and the freedom to just enjoy it.

If you’re planning your engagement photos in Indianapolis, Holcomb Gardens at Butler University is one of the best spots in the city. With its mix of architecture, greenery, + quiet corners, it’s the perfect backdrop for photos that feel relaxed yet romantic.