There are some sessions that stay with you long after you’ve packed up your camera, and Ivette and Preet’s maternity session at Holcomb Gardens on the Butler University campus is one I’ll never forget. As a maternity photographer at Butler Holcomb Gardens, I love capturing families during such an exciting season of life, but this session felt even more special. It was filled with genuine love, four adorable dogs, and the anticipation of meeting a little one whose gender will remain a surprise until birth.

As an Indianapolis photographer, I have the privilege of documenting some of life’s biggest milestones throughout Indianapolis, Hendricks County, Avon, Brownsburg, and Plainfield. Every family has a unique story, and Ivette and Preet’s story is one I’m so thankful to have been a small part of.

A Full-Circle Moment Years in the Making

This session was more than just beautiful portraits—it was a reminder of how small the world can be.

Several years ago, I met Ivette at a women’s networking brunch where I was hosting a professional headshot station. We spent a few minutes together creating new headshots, shared a conversation, and then life carried us in different directions.

Years later, my phone lit up with a message from Ivette asking if I would photograph one of the most meaningful moments of her life—her maternity session.

Those moments are the reason I love what I do. Being invited back to document another chapter of someone’s story is an incredible honor, and it made this session feel especially meaningful. Knowing I’ll also get to photograph their newborn session makes it even sweeter. I already can’t wait to meet their little one.

Why Holcomb Gardens Is One of My Favorite Maternity Session Locations

When clients ask me for beautiful outdoor locations around Indianapolis, Holcomb Gardens at Butler University is always near the top of my list.

The gardens offer timeless beauty in every season with winding pathways, elegant stone architecture, peaceful water views, and lush greenery that creates the perfect backdrop for maternity portraits. Whether the trees are full of spring blooms, vibrant summer greens, or colorful autumn leaves, the location photographs beautifully year-round.

It’s easy to see why so many families choose this location to celebrate one of the most exciting seasons of their lives.

Four Dogs and One Baby on the Way

One of my favorite parts of this session was meeting the entire family—including their four lovable dogs:

• Gizzy
• Rio
• Remi
• Roxy

These four were just as excited to be part of the session as Mom and Dad.

Each dog had their own unique personality, making every moment fun and full of laughter. They ran, explored, posed for pictures, and gave us plenty of unforgettable moments throughout the evening.

And while I probably shouldn’t admit this…

I think Gizzy completely stole my heart.

Gizzy Was Born for the Camera

I don’t usually pick favorites, but Gizzy made it nearly impossible not to.

From the moment we started taking photos, Gizzy seemed to know exactly where the camera was. Every time I lifted my camera, there he was, looking directly into the lens like a professional model.

Head tilts.
Perfect eye contact.
Confident poses.

He absolutely understood the assignment.

Everyone else may have been celebrating the newest addition to the family, but Gizzy was clearly ready for his own modeling contract.

He kept us laughing the entire session and added so much personality to every photograph.

The Sweetest Surprise Is Still Waiting

One detail that made this maternity session even more special is that Ivette and Preet have decided not to find out their baby’s gender until birth.

I absolutely love when parents choose to wait.

In today’s world, where almost everything is planned and shared immediately, there’s something incredibly special about holding onto one final surprise.

Every tiny kick, every smile, and every excited glance between them reminded me how much love is already waiting for this little one.

Boy or girl, this baby is already surrounded by so much joy.

A Family Filled With Love

Watching Ivette and Preet together throughout the session made one thing incredibly clear—this baby is entering a home filled with unconditional love.

The way they smiled at each other, laughed together, and included each of their dogs made the evening feel relaxed, genuine, and full of excitement for everything that’s ahead.

Those are always my favorite moments to photograph.

Not the perfectly posed ones.

The real ones.

The quiet smiles.
The laughter.
The anticipation.
The little in-between moments that become treasured memories years later.

Those are the photographs families come back to over and over again.

Follow Along on Their Journey

If you’d like to continue following Ivette’s journey into motherhood, be sure to check out her pages:

Ivette’s Journey
https://linktr.ee/ivettesjourney

And if you fell in love with their adorable pups as much as I did, go give them some love on Instagram:

The Dog P4ck
https://www.instagram.com/thedogp4ck/

Looking for a Butler Holcomb Gardens Maternity Photographer?

Pregnancy is one of the shortest seasons of life, yet it changes everything.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby, adding another little one to your family, or want to include your furry family members just like Ivette and Preet did, I’d love to help tell your story.

I photograph maternity sessions throughout Indianapolis, Hendricks County, Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Carmel, Fishers, and surrounding Central Indiana communities, creating timeless images that you’ll cherish long after your little one arrives.

I can’t wait to meet Ivette and Preet’s baby during their newborn session, and I already know their little one is joining a family overflowing with love—including four very excited four-legged siblings.

Ready to Tell Your Story?

If you’re searching for a maternity photographer at Butler Holcomb Gardens, I’d love to help you preserve this beautiful season before it becomes a memory.

Maternity sessions are best photographed between 28–34 weeks, when your baby bump is beautifully visible while you’re still comfortable enough to enjoy your session.

Let’s create photographs you’ll treasure for generations.

Contact me today: https://jovankiah.co/contact

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I book my maternity session?

The best time is between 28 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. During this stage, your baby bump is beautifully visible while you’re typically still comfortable moving around.

Why is Holcomb Gardens such a popular maternity photography location?

Holcomb Gardens offers beautiful gardens, stone architecture, walking paths, and scenic water views that create timeless, natural portraits in every season.

Can we bring our dogs to our maternity session?

Absolutely! Pets are family too, and I love including them whenever possible. Just bring treats, water, and someone who can help if needed.

Do you also photograph newborn sessions?

Yes! Many of my maternity clients return for newborn photography so we can document their family’s story from pregnancy through those precious first weeks.

What areas do you serve?

I photograph maternity sessions throughout Indianapolis, Butler University, Holcomb Gardens, Hendricks County, Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Carmel, Fishers, and surrounding Central Indiana.