Clayton & Leah: Spring Engagement Photos at Holcomb Gardens

A super sweet couple with shared passions and goals? The most well behaved pups ever? Perfect photo outfits? (Leah’s white dress is from Baltic Born in case you’re wondering!) And, a beautiful photo location with willow trees and water just outside of downtown Indianapolis? 

Everything about Leah Miller and Clayton Jones’ spring engagement photos at Holcomb Gardens was a dream. And, I’m so excited to share just a handful of my favorite images from their engagement session on the blog!

When Clayton & Leah met, they quickly realized that they had a lot in common. 

After matching on Bumble, chatting a bit, and—as Leah puts it—“making sure the other was not an ax murder”—Leah and Clayton (who also goes by Clay) met at Nine Iris Brothers for their first date. 

And, during this date—which lasted for several hours—they discovered that they had a lot in common. 

According to Leah, “On our first date, I said how I was from Jasper, Indiana and that he probably hadn’t heard of it. Come to find out, [Clay] lived in Jasper as a little kid. His old house is down the street from my parents’ house!”

In addition to both being from Jasper, Leah and Clay discovered that they were both college athletes who love “horse power.” In college, Clay played baseball, and Leah played softball. And, today, Clay loves fast cars and Leah loves horses. (Leah’s horse was supposed to be in their engagement photos. However, he wasn’t feeling well, so alternate plans had to be made.) 

While Clay and Leah certainly have shared values, I think it’s safe to say that their relationship works so well, because they are both people with deep passions. They understand one another, and it’s amazing to witness them support each other in all of their interests, dreams, and goals. 

While they certainly have their own separate passions, since getting together, Clay and Leah have developed some shared hobbies, including cooking, watching HGTV, and looking at real estate. They dream of someday owning property with enough room for Leah’s horses and a garage for Clay’s cars! 

Clay popped the question while he & Leah were walking the dogs. 

Fast forward about 2.5 years later (Leah and Clay met in February 2022. Hooray for quarantine dating!), Clay was ready to ask Leah to be his wife. 

And, if you know Leah, you know her dogs—Luna and Mia—mean the world to her. As a result, Clay wanted to make sure they and softball (another of Leah’s loves) were included in his proposal. 

While Clay and Leah had talked about marriage, Leah wasn’t the least bit suspicious the day Clay proposed.

In October 2021, Clay and Leah had plans to visit Leah’s parents. With dinner reservations at 7:30 and Leah and Clay not arriving to her parents’ house until 7:00 pm, Leah was in a hurry to get the girls walked after a long car ride and before they had to be inside for the rest of the night. 

While Leah was only focused on walking quickly and staying out of the mud (It had rained recently.), Clay suggested that they walk down to the Jasper High School softball field, which is just behind Leah’s parents’ house. 

Leah was hesitant, because she figured the path would be wet and they were on a time crunch, but she obliged. As they got to the field, however, Clay suggested they walk on the field. This is when Leah knew something was up. 

Clay led Leah onto the field, and in front of the first base dugout, he asked his passionate best friend to be his wife on a field that’s very special to her, with Luna and Mia beside them, and while Leah’s parents captured the whole thing on camera from their backyard! 

Leah and Clay will become husband and wife in October 2022 with both their ceremony and reception at Three Fat Labs in Greencastle, Indiana. And, yes. Luna and Mia will be present, and there will be designated photo time with just them, their mom, and their dad!

Clayton & Leah decided to take spring engagement photos at Holcomb Gardens. 

Initially, Leah and Clayton wanted to take their engagement photos on the ranch where Leah’s horse is boarded. However, when Leah’s horse wasn’t feeling well, she and Clay decided it would be better for him to rest and that a new photo location was needed. 

After discussing options, Clay and Leah ultimately decided to take spring engagement photos at Holcomb Gardens in Indianapolis, because Leah loved the willow trees. 

And, guys, Leah, Clay, Mia, and Luna arrived ready to GO! When couples want to include their dogs in their photos, I typically recommend bringing someone with them whom their dogs are comfortable with to hold leashes and look after the dogs when it’s time for photos of just their parents. However, Mia and Luna are so well behaved that that wasn’t necessary!

The girls sat sweetly for photos and enjoyed laying in the grass while they waited for their next set of photos. 

While the pups were great, Leah and Clay killed their engagement session! I mean, Leah brought a bouquet, their outfits were flawless! (I’ll be thinking about Leah’s white dress from Baltic Born for a long time!), and both Clay and Leah were clearly thrilled to be in front of the camera for this milestone. 

I was excited to be Clay and Leah’s wedding photographer before, but now, October 2022 can’t get here fast enough. I cannot wait to get these four in front of the camera again!

Congratulations, Clayton & Leah!

Leah and Clay, considering how passionate and determined you both are, I have no doubt that big things are ahead for you both. You’re both capable of so much on your own, but considering the way that the two of you clearly support one another, I have no doubt you’ll both go even further as a couple and as a family.  

I cannot wait for your Three Fat Labs wedding this fall, but in the meantime, I hope you love your spring engagement photos at Holcomb Gardens in Indianapolis!

Seriously can’t get over how well behaved these sweet pups were! I love that Leah decided to make a bouquet for their shoot! Their wedding will include sunflowers, and this was such a fun way to work her favorite flower into their engagement photos. Since sharing previews of their shoot, I’ve received quite a few messages asking where Leah got this dress. It’s from Baltic Born! I highly recommend this online boutique, especially if you’re looking for an engagement photo dress, and I would love to share a coupon with you for 15% off your first order!

Like I said above, these two support and love one another so well. It’s going to be so exciting to see what the future holds for Clay and Leah. 

If you’re loving the look of Holcomb Gardens, check out other engagement photos taken at this beautiful photo location in Indianapolis!