A day in the life of Indianapolis: 24 hours through the eyes of IndyStar visual journalists
Indianapolis is far from being called “the city that never sleeps,” but it’s also no longer considered “Naptown” — a sleepy city that rolls up the sidewalks after dark. Work and life hum from sunup to sundown
IndyStar photographers spent 24 hours — from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. — photographing daily life in Indianapolis inside the I-465 loop.
From neighborhoods to nightlife and from politicians to police, our photographers painted a portrait of what keeps Indianapolis ticking every minute of every day.
Read how each journalist described their day, and scroll to the bottom to see all 50 time-stamped photos.
A start with purpose and direction
I kicked off our day-in-the-life series just before 6 a.m. by people-watching at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center. Personalities ran the gamut: From a philosophical man with a dance to his step, to a young mom watching her sleeping daughter dream as she waited to go to school for the day. Some were waiting inside to travel or go to work for the day; some were just enjoying a momentary seat and warmth.
The morning had begun for many at the center, as everyone flowed together with their sense of daily purpose.
The morning continued as I found IUPUI’s ROTC cadets pushing themselves in exercise, commuters moving like lava on the streets, and people seeking caffeine at Coat Check Coffee.
The sunrise wasn't visible on this day, but the sun did provide light through the patterned cloud cover, giving Indy and the White River a blue palette with the clouds and the river gliding gently in unison.
I ended my morning with songs about dinosaurs, frogs and Old MacDonald’s farm sung by a Riley music therapist. I watched the experience in a toddler’s eyes.
The start of our day-in-the-life day had purpose and direction. As the community began the morning all about “business,” the human spirit in all its diversity began to emerge.
Kelly Wilkinson
More from Kelly: 3 of the rarest dogs in the world live in Beech Grove — and they can sing!
An inspiration
As I weaved up and down the streets in some of Indianapolis’ most hidden neighborhoods, the cultural diversity I witnessed was inspiring.
I spoke with and photographed diverse business owners, dedicated employees and kids learning and using their imaginations. At one point, I had to pull out my smartphone to communicate with a group of Latino children enjoying fall break.
Diversity in a community can make it stronger, more accepting. It was truly inspiring to see the diversity inside the loop.
Mykal McEldowney
More from Mykal: Kolette is 7. She loves princesses and singing. Oh, and racing dragsters.
A view from above
During my daytime shift, I took a bird’s eye look at Indianapolis to better see the pulse that runs through it.
I positioned myself above Herron High School to photograph students as they scurried away for fall break. They formed little clusters on the front lawn along 16th Street, giggling and exchanging hugs before scattering in different directions home.
At rush hour, I watched traffic stop and go, bunch up and thin out, lighter than usual thanks to school breaks.
Though Indianapolis is a capital city, it marches to the same beat as the small towns that surround it.
Jenna Watson
More from Jenna:Gorgeous exotic cars and a sense of community combine at this Downtown auto club
A moment of reflection
As I created a time-lapse overlooking Monument Circle, I reflected, as I often do, on the gift journalism gives back to those of us in the profession. It's not money, fame or even career security: It's the ability to satisfy one's curiosity about the city they live in.
Who are the people that make up Indianapolis? What do they need, want, aspire to?
A journalist can move seamlessly between all social classes, walks of life, political leanings, nationalities and more to experience and attempt to understand — with all humility and without judgment. The reward is simply experiencing a moment of someone's life or an event. Often it's someone's best day, but equally often, it's someone's worst.
As the years go by, the journalist collects more moments, adding them to the memory bank and becoming rich through experience. Lives lived, memories made, and moments shared through pictures that say more than words add to our collective understanding of one another — the gift we endeavor to give back to those who shared a moment of their lives with us.
Michelle Pemberton
More from Michelle: My search for Indianapolis' oldest dog was a journey of happy tails and heartbreak
A city's late-night charm
There are some perks in being a night owl.
I know there are a few Indy residents who have experienced a late night or two during a workweek. Though some of our shifts might end at 6 p.m., others are just getting started.
I roamed around the city in the quiet hours around midnight. I found the bartenders, bands, artists and servers who keep the pulse of the city. There was this charm and soft glow when the street lights and neon signs came on.
The people who live, work and thrive in the city bring the magic to Indianapolis. While some are asleep, others are wide awake. I got to be a part of that glow for one night and be a part of the lives of the people who live for this city.
Grace Hollars
More from Grace: These handbags are changing women's lives in Indiana
A new day
The wee hours are where mayhem and bakeries thrive. My shift took place after the bars closed and when the 6 a.m. coffee started dripping.
The 24-hour Beech Grove Bowl hosted a trio of pro soccer players in town for an earlier game against Indy Eleven; they laughed and joked as they tried to stave off an almost certain gutter ball.
Indy has murders, and TV journalists for Fox 59/CBS 4 talked about them with nice video gear a block away from city hall, in a well-lit area, just in case a mugger had a pawn shop on the brain.
And, like a shadowy attack by a folded chair, a giant WrestleMania truck lurched through Downtown in advance of a weekend show.
The main event of the morning, however, was being in Long's Bakery to witness the making of those glazed doughnuts that are the stuff of office workers' dreams.
Robert Scheer
More from Robert: Hoosiers told me the White River was dangerous. This is what happened when I kayaked it.
See all the photos
