About Indianapolis
Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is a vibrant city with an expansive history. From its humble beginnings as a small settlement in the early 1800s to its current state as both a cultural and economic hub, Indianapolis has grown immensely. It is home to some of the most impressive sports venues in the world, including Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which hosts NBA basketball games and concerts.
Beyond the hustle and bustle of big-city life lies vintage locations that embody the true Hoosier spirit. From charming Victorian homes to rusty industrial warehouses filled with old-timey tools, the city has an abundance of nostalgic backdrops. With neighborhoods like Fountain Square offering some of the best thrift stores in town and Broad Ripple is one of the hottest spots for local art and culture,
It is easy to find everything needed for your photoshoot! From antique stores filled with items from eras past to classic diners serving delicious Hoosier hospitality, every corner brings something unique, including mechanic shops, old gas stations, and churches.
Vintage Photoshoot Options in Indianapolis
- Costumes
Working with costume rental services allows you to find the perfect costumes for your models that will best reflect the style of your shoot. Create a vintage aesthetic using historical and modern garb.
- Antique Stores
Visiting antique stores is another great way to find the perfect items for your photo shoot. They carry selections of unique furniture pieces suitable for creating an authentic vintage look during the photoshoot. Props and decorations sourced from these stores help improve the atmosphere of any photoshoot setting.
- Vintage Car Hire
Add vintage flair to the photo shoot by hiring a beautiful classic car. It serves as a backdrop prop for photos, creating a unique atmosphere that gives the shoot an added touch of class. Having a car around is also helpful if you want to move locations.
- Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
For anyone planning on recreating old-time looks, having a professional hair and makeup artist on hand is essential. They create authentic hairstyles and makeup that represent different eras.
Vintage Photoshoot Vendors in Indianapolis
- Antique Limousine of Indianapolis
Antique Limousine of Indianapolis is a transport business with a fleet of vintage cars and modern-day stretch limos. They accommodate any request, delivering sprinter vans, shuttles, and party buses. The founder, Jack, has a lifelong passion for classic automobiles and has turned this into offering the utmost unique limo service Indianapolis has to offer. From a self-built antique 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith to a stylish 1938 Cadillac Model 75, Antique Limousine of Indianapolis takes pride in providing a comfortable and classy limo rental for any occasion.
- Katharine Shaw MUA
Katharine Shaw is a professional makeup artist based in Indianapolis, Indiana. With extensive experience working with some of the best in the industry, Kate has honed her skills across different formats, including editorial, commercial shoots, music videos, feature films, television shows, and even New York Fashion Week. Her passion for creating clean, simple beauty is evident in everything she does, with glowing skin and classic red lipstick just a few of her favorite things.
- The Corner Bazaar
The Corner Bazaar in Indianapolis' South Broad Ripple neighborhood is more than just an antique and vintage store - it's a cultural experience. With a mission to provide Indianapolis residents with eclectic and rare finds to adorn their homes and wardrobes, this shop has everything you can imagine and more. From mid-century furniture and lighting to vintage clothing and vinyl records, visitors can wander through a treasure trove of knick-knacks, dust collectors, and kitschy oddities they won't find anywhere else.
Pros and Cons of Vintage Photoshoot Locations in Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the perfect backdrop for organizing a vintage photoshoot, offering unique venues and scenery. Some advantages and disadvantages come with photoshoots in the city.
Advantages
- Indianapolis is home to an array of stunning architectural wonders, from columned buildings to grand Victorian homes, making fantastic backdrops for vintage photos.
- Indianapolis is home to several universities and colleges, offering many amateur photographers who may assist more affordably than professional services.
- Photographers can find plenty of creative collaborators in the bustling art community willing to work together to create beautiful images with a vintage vibe.
Disadvantages
- During peak times, you might need to book well ahead as studios and other locations around town can fill up quickly.
- The harsh Indiana weather conditions can present challenges when shooting outdoors during certain times, such as winter or summer storms.
- Traffic in certain parts of the city can be quite congested at times, which could potentially interfere with planned timing during shoots if not accounted for properly beforehand.
Tips on How to Organize vintage photoshoot locations in Indianapolis
Pay close attention to every detail and consider the elements needed to create a visual story to ensure a successful vintage photoshoot. Here are some tips to organize your vintage photoshoot and get the most out of your location:
- Choose an appropriate location: The right venue is essential to creating a vintage look and feel. Think about places with classic buildings, cobblestone streets, or old-fashioned parks or gardens that can add interest and depth to your images. Consider a building with character features like large windows and exposed beams.
- Gather Props and Accessories: Vintage photoshoots require props and accessories that evoke an old-fashioned look; items like old typewriters, bicycles, hats, scarves, or jewelry pieces can make all the difference when styling subjects uniquely. Take your time going through thrift stores or online marketplaces in search of these items; they can add dimension and flair to any shoot.
- Use natural light: Natural lighting helps bring out colors and textures that mimic yesteryears, which is perfect for capturing those timeless moments during your vintage photoshoot. For best results, schedule the photo shoot at either sunrise or sunset when golden hour light is available for added warmth without having harsh shadows in your images.
- Incorporate shades of yellow and brown: Shades of yellow and brown are great colors for any vintage photograph since they are nostalgic tones that evoke feelings of nostalgia from years past. Incorporating these shades into clothing choices and props will help tie everything together, creating a cohesive look.
- Use Old-Fashioned Techniques: Use old-fashioned techniques during your shoot by incorporating film cameras or vintage lenses into your workflow. It will help create truly unique images that stand out from other photographs! Learning about traditional darkroom processes, such as developing rolls of film, can give models an even more authentic experience while helping photographers create one-of-a-kind works of art!
Famous Locations in Indianapolis
- City Market Catacombs
The City Market Catacombs in Indianapolis offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into the underground history. While they may not house any bones or crypts, the remains of Tomlinson Hall in Whistler Plaza are a sight to behold. The massive underground storage labyrinth, created when the hall burned down in 1958, has a Roman-like aesthetic that is both beautiful and awe-inspiring. Though the tours of the catacombs only take place on the first and third Saturdays of every month, they are worth checking out.
- Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis is a site that will captivate those fascinated by history and, of course, ghost tales. The cemetery is one of the most haunted places in the United States, which is no surprise, considering it is the third largest cemetery in the country, with more than 200,000 graves. Home to the final resting places of Civil War soldiers and leaders, the cemetery hosts official, private, and public walking tours. Walking around Crown Hill promises a beautiful stroll with stunning city views. Despite its eerie reputation, visitors appreciate the history on display at Crown Hill Cemetery.
- Indiana Medical History Museum
The Indiana Medical History Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the origins of modern medicine. The building, established in the late 19th century, is a marvel and sits proudly on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest pathology facility in the country. For those passionate about the history of medicine and scientific psychiatry, the laboratories for bacteriology and anatomical specimens serve as fascinating exhibits. The museum offers a detailed glimpse of the old medicine practices over a century ago.