As Natasha & Neil prepare to say "I do" tomorrow at the stunning Iron & Ember in Carmel, Indiana, we’re reflecting on their beautiful engagement session last September at Coxhall Gardens. As their Carmel wedding photographer, we’ve had the honor of capturing their love story from the early moments of engagement to the grand celebration of their wedding day.
In this blog, we’ll dive into two essential topics: why Coxhall Gardens is the ideal spot (and one of our favorite places to take photos in Indianapolis) for your engagement photos and how to best prepare for your engagement session. Plus, we’ll explain why doing an engagement session with your wedding photographer is so important to us.
Why Coxhall Gardens is the Perfect Location for Your Engagement Photos
Coxhall Gardens, located in Carmel, Indiana, is one of our top recommendations for couples looking to capture the beauty of their engagement. The park offers a variety of scenic spots, making it an incredibly versatile location for engagement photography. Here’s why it stands out as a perfect location:
1. Diverse Landscapes for Every Mood
Whether you envision romantic lakeside shots, beautiful formal gardens, or wide-open fields, Coxhall Gardens has it all. The Bell Tower stands tall in the background, adding a regal and elegant touch to your photos. The large amphitheater and formal gardens provide a more structured look, while the rolling fields and hidden pathways offer natural and intimate settings for couples who prefer something more relaxed.
During Natasha & Neil’s engagement session, we started by the iconic limestone amphitheater, capturing the natural sunlight filtering through the arches. From there, we explored the pathways around the lake, where the water reflected their joy as they walked hand in hand. The variety at Coxhall Gardens allowed us to perfectly match the mood of each moment.
2. Seasonal Beauty All Year Long
One of the major perks of choosing Coxhall Gardens for your engagement session is that it’s beautiful year-round. In the spring, the flowers bloom in vibrant colors, making the formal gardens pop. During the summer, the lush greenery provides a dreamy backdrop. By the time autumn comes around, the foliage turns into rich tones of orange, yellow, and red—perfect for warm, romantic images. Even in the winter, the park’s architecture and sculptures provide stunning elements that look gorgeous against snow.
Natasha & Neil’s session took place in early fall when the leaves had just begun to turn, giving their photos a subtle pop of color. The soft, golden hour light added warmth and depth to every frame, making the session feel magical.
3. Convenient Location in Carmel, Indiana
Located just minutes from downtown Carmel, Coxhall Gardens offers the convenience of proximity. After your session, you can easily plan a dinner date at one of the nearby restaurants or explore the Carmel Arts & Design District. Its central location also makes it accessible for out-of-town guests.
Be sure to check out another recent engagement session at Coxhall Gardens we did for Holly & Ryan!
How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect location, let’s talk about how to prepare for your engagement session. Getting ready for a photo session can feel overwhelming, but with a little preparation, it can be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are our top tips for ensuring a successful engagement shoot:
1. Plan Your Outfits
Your outfits play a key role in the overall look of your engagement photos. We always recommend choosing outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable. Consider coordinating your outfits with your partner, but avoid being too “matchy.” Complementary colors or a shared theme often look best.
2. What to Bring
While we love to create a relaxed and spontaneous vibe during sessions, bringing a few props can add personal touches to your photos. Here are a few ideas:
A blanket for cozy, seated shots
A change of shoes (especially if you’ll be walking through gardens or fields)
Snacks and water to stay refreshed during longer sessions
Personal items like a family heirloom or memento that holds special meaning
Umbrella for unpredictable weather
3. Timing is Everything
For the best lighting, we typically schedule engagement sessions during “golden hour”—the hour before sunset when the light is soft and flattering. However, it’s important to consider timing based on the season and location. If you’re doing a session at Coxhall Gardens, for example, the Bell Tower casts gorgeous shadows in the early evening, making it an ideal spot to end your session.
When planning Natasha & Neil’s session, we started about 90 minutes before sunset, giving us plenty of time to explore the park’s different areas. The soft light of the early evening created a romantic atmosphere, and we were able to capture both wide landscapes and intimate moments as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Why We Love Doing an Engagement Session With You Before Your Wedding Day
At Rogue Image Photo, we believe that engagement sessions are about more than just beautiful photos. They’re also a key part of building trust and connection between you and your photographer. Here’s why we feel strongly about doing an engagement session before your wedding day:
1. Getting Comfortable in Front of the Camera
For many couples, this may be the first time they’ve had professional photos taken together. An engagement session is the perfect way to get comfortable with being photographed. It allows you to ease into the experience, get used to how we work as photographers, and most importantly, understand how to feel natural in front of the camera.
With Natasha & Neil, we spent time chatting, laughing, and getting to know them during their engagement session. By the end of the session, they were pros at posing, and their comfort level allowed us to capture genuine moments between them.
2. Building Trust with Your Photographer
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to feel confident that your photographer understands your vision. An engagement session gives us the opportunity to learn what makes you and your partner unique. We can find out what types of photos you love, whether you prefer candid or posed shots, and what details are most important to you.
By the time Natasha & Neil’s wedding day arrives, we’ll have already built a strong connection, which will help us capture their big day in a way that feels personal and authentic.
3. A Fun Way to Celebrate Your Engagement
Beyond the practical benefits, an engagement session is simply a fun way to celebrate this special time in your life. It’s a chance to take a break from wedding planning and enjoy a relaxed, memorable day with your partner. You’ll walk away with stunning photos to use for save-the-dates, wedding websites, or even prints for your home.
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