From the glorious architecture of the Chicago Cultural Center and the Art Institute to the blue reaches of Lake Michigan, there's really so much that is picturesque and beautiful about Chicago. And that's true of the interiors just as much as the exteriors. So if you're looking for stunning indoor locations to take your wedding photos, Giggster is just the place to search.
No matter what you're looking for, Giggster can find you the perfect spot. From a century-old French chateau with a sunroom and beautiful conservatory to a bright oasis of a photo studio with lots of natural light, you'll absolutely love the options that we've got for you. An intimate setting, like a picturesque patio that looks out over downtown Chicago, makes for a memorable photo shoot. On the other hand, if you're looking for fully indoor venues, an urban loft and gallery filled with paintings has plenty of stunning features to focus on.
With Giggster venues, both the design and prices range a great deal. So look through the site and find the spot that suits both your vision and your budget!
Chicago Indoor Photoshoot Venues Curated by Giggster
When it comes to indoor photography, things like natural light and spacious floor plans to fit all the crew and equipment are important. Giggster's Chicago locations, whether a mansion or a coffee shop, give you all that you might desire. So get booking and snap up the best venues before someone else does!
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A warm and elegant Chicago mansion with high ceilings, sweeping wooden staircases, beautiful gardens, and a spacious kitchen is a unique blend of modern and vintage.
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A tea shop and restaurant inspired by Eastern European and Russian decor elements makes for a majestic backdrop for some wedding portraits in advance of the actual wedding day.
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On the other hand, if you want to do wedding photography in a more conventional setting, you can definitely opt for a daylight studio with sunshine gleaming off polished wooden surfaces.
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A Christmas studio set up with trees and lights is just the place if you and your family want to get some festive cards made for the occasion!
Transform Your Indoor Photoshoot in Chicago Starting at Just $20/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Find the best of what Chicago offers among Giggster's 645 venues. From lofts with beautiful interiors and comfy furniture to art galleries with eclectic painting collections, we've got a vast range of locations.
Hassle-Free Booking: Finding the ideal backdrop for your indoor photo shoot is now just a matter of scrolling through the easy-to-navigate website and reading up on all the relevant details about any venue. Chicago venues begin at just $20/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Chicago's cancellation policies allow you to cancel your booking within 24 hours of confirmation at no additional cost. Our only caveat? You must have booked at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Thinking about renting a space like South Loop: Industrial Photography and Film Studio for your photo shoot prior to your big Chicago wedding? With Giggster's optional protection against damages and liabilities, you don't need to stress about the small details.
Pros and Cons of Indoor Photoshoots in Chicago
As with every city, Chicago has its own set of pros and cons, so you'd better take all of that into account before you rush to book a venue.
Advantages
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Chicago has a pretty good public transport system and bus routes, especially in the heart of the city, in the financial district. You don't have to worry about things like the availability of free parking.
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For all the artistic souls, it's well worth visiting Chicago landmarks like the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, and Lincoln Park Conservatory in their free time.
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While doing indoor Chicago photography, there's no lack of artistic studios and stunning, historic buildings to use as locations.
Disadvantages
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If you're planning on shooting outdoors or in any public locations, you might need to apply for photo permits and licenses.
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Chicago weather is far from warm and sunny, as we can tell by the nickname of Windy City. Winter shoots, especially, might be a challenge.
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Trying to get around by public transport with all your equipment isn't easy. And bringing your own car means dealing with the inevitable traffic and parking nightmares.
What Kind of Venue Can I Rent for Indoor Photoshoots in Chicago
Whether you're looking for a natural light studio in the heart of the city or a comforting, homely space in the Chicago suburbs, Giggster's 645 venues are sure to have the ideal match for you. Search through the website and pick out the spot that captures your heart.
Photo Studio – The Perfect Setting. Whether you want to get some dreamy and romantic wedding photos or do a maternity shoot against a stunning backdrop to show the kids later, a daylight studio with rich woodwork that gets flooded with the afternoon sun, or a sofa set up with some tropical plants in the background is just the space.
Loft – Open Spaces. There's nothing that screams urban America so much as an open-concept loft space with spectacular views over the city. Whether it's set up with ultra-modern furniture or as a warm and inviting coworking space, this is the perfect spot for some product shoots or to compile a spread for a lifestyle magazine.
House – Cozy and Intimate. French-style chateaus with grand staircases and a conservatory that doubles up as an indoor oasis or a log cabin by the lake that's surrounded by lush greenery, there's something about these beautiful Chicago homes that makes them the perfect backdrop for engagement photos.
Speakeasy/Bar – Distinctive Locales. Planning a new music album, and you need a special photograph to serve as the album cover? A vintage speakeasy with dim lighting or a subterranean bar with classic tiled floors is a photo shoot location that will immediately draw eyes. Speak to your audience via different media than just music.
Warehouse – Versatile Venues. Whether it's a warehouse and shop that makes stained glass windows or a large sprawling event space with soaring ceilings, the thing about a warehouse location is how many uses you can put it to. Plus, there's enough floor space that you can fit a massive cast and crew without any problem if you need to.
How to Plan an Indoor Photoshoot in Chicago
Indoor photography, no less than outdoor photography, takes some planning and delicate handling. If you've got a set of ideas in your head, it's so much easier to plan out the whole shoot.
Come Up with a Concept – Whether it's the clean lines of a product shoot or the soft and dreamy shades of wedding photos, there's quite some planning involved. If you have an idea of how you want the final photos to look, you'll be able to find the perfect location and photographer.
Find a Photographer – You might need someone who specializes in wedding photography. Check out their portfolio, call ahead, and don't be afraid to barter for a proper price. The photographer can serve you better if they know your budget right away.
Select Venue – Obviously, the ideal indoor venue is a must. Checking out the location beforehand gives you an idea of how you can stage the photographs or what kind of props you might need to rent or borrow. Photo studios often have top-of-the-line equipment that you can use.
Get Permits and Licenses – Commercial photography needs certain permits. But check first to see if your photographer and the venue have the necessary permits and licenses. Then you won't have to rush around for no reason.
Saving Money on an Indoor Photoshoot in Chicago
Planning to get some stunning photos from an engagement session? You'll want to announce your joy to the world without blowing off too much money. Here are some tips on how you can cut down costs.
Try to use natural light.
Sunshine isn't that common in Chicago, so time your photo shoots carefully. Position your subjects in different spaces around the venue so they can benefit from the indirect light of the sun. It'll give them a glow that's really not achievable with lighting equipment.
Plan the photographs ahead.
Compiling a shot list and visualizing the photos that you want means that you can communicate clearly with the wedding photographer ahead of time. And the less time you waste on the day of the shoot, the more money you save!
Make maximum use of the space.
Suppose you've got a studio set up with exotic plants or an old Chicago mansion that screams timeless elegance through its furniture; use those as props instead of buying and renting new stuff. Free props are a definite perk of finding unique and unusual shooting locations.
Chicago Indoor Photoshoots with Giggster
Trying to get some up-and-coming young photographer to do a stunning shoot for you prior to some special event? Check out the best Giggster venues in Chicago, from a stunning sunset loft which gets the last of the golden natural light to a clean and neutral fitness space that can best show off your products!
