A photo studio is a place where all your creativity and artsy visions come together to create a visual masterpiece. Chicago, with its scenic views, artsy local communities, and film-centric crowd, is home to some of the best photo studios in the country.
Be it contemporary spaces with sleek aesthetics or outdoor studios with crew support and DIY fixtures, Giggster’s exclusive photo studio venues have everything you need. You can find a loft-style studio with a cyc wall and a C-stand near West Loop or places like River North and Pilsen, which are known for their vibrant streets and ultra-modern spaces.
Don’t let price come in the way of your creative vision. Our affordable listings cater to everyone from high-end production teams to small-scale creators. The right studio can be the difference between an ordinary photo and an award-winning masterpiece. Don’t miss out on securing the ultimate creative space in Chicago!
Chicago Photo Studio Venues Curated by Giggster
Chicago’s blend of modern and historic venues, lakeside spaces with good views, and a music-loving culture are a few reasons why this city stands out for creative endeavors. Capture magic in a Chicago photo studio. Book today!
- Looking for a modern, edgy vibe? Look no further than River North Art District and the chic design studios of South Loop. These large and versatile spaces can be transformed into different kinds of sets in no time.
- A studio venue in an art gallery can help you blend dynamic backgrounds with crisp shots. Book a photo studio near Lincoln Park Gallery or Navy Pier Exhibition Halls. Here, the visual theme of each wall can vary depending on the lighting and angle, giving you lots of creative freedom within the same space.
- Dreaming of skyline shots? Rooftop bars and penthouse studios in skyscraper terraces are your best bet. Start shooting at iconic locations and use the glittering city lights as your backdrop at night.
- Giggster gives you access to state-of-the-art recording studios with cutting-edge editing equipment for retouching and post-production tasks later on. With Giggster, you can secure the ultimate photo studio venues in Chicago.
Incredible Photo Studio Venues in Chicago Starting at Just $24/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Whether you want a large studio that is ideal for wedding photo shoots or something more personal and cozy, Giggster's 296 listings ensure you find the perfect spot every time.
Hassle-Free Booking: Booking a photo studio venue starting at $24/hour has never been easier, thanks to Giggster's user-friendly UI. You can filter studio venue listings by rental price, facilities, number of attendees, and much more.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Forget the stress of paying penalties or incurring any extra charges if you change your mind, or want to reschedule to another date. Giggster’s 24-hour free cancellation policy helps you make adjustments without any unforeseen charges.
Platform Protections: When you book a photo studio with Giggster, you also get the added benefit of our optional comprehensive insurance protections. This helps you steer clear of any worries related to event liability insurance and accidental property damage. Book venues like Bright Sunny CYC Wall Loft Studio without worries, and unleash your creative potential.
Pros and Cons of Photo Studios in Chicago
The perfect photo studio should be easily accessible, well within your budget, and most importantly, match your creative vision. Before you make a decision, consider the following practical aspects of booking a photo studio in Chicago.
Advantages
- Chicago has diverse architecture. Here, you will find both sleek modern skyscrapers as well as historic buildings with aesthetic appeal.
- Neighborhoods like Wicker Park, the Magnificent Mile, and Pilsen are known for their vibrant and folksy surroundings. This can help you add local flavor to your shots.
- No matter where you go, you will always be close to quality restaurants, hotels, and pretty landscapes.
- Chicago has a smooth public transport network, making travel a bliss if you want to conduct shoots at multiple locations within the same day.
Disadvantages
- Chicago’s weather is quite unpredictable. Always carry weatherproof casing to protect your equipment against water damage.
- Shorter daylight hours in winter months can restrict shooting times, especially for natural light photography.
- Most photo studios located at ground level are affected by high noise coming from public transit lines and vehicles.
- Rental prices for studios can fluctuate very quickly, especially in central locations of Chicago.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Photo Studio in Chicago
Picking the right location for a photo studio often comes down to three factors: your budget, aesthetic preference, and distance. Aim for the perfect balance of all three factors when looking at Giggster’s 296 listings. Here are some benchmark photo studio venue ideas.
Music Studios – Where Beats Meet Creativity. Chicago has plenty of music studios that can double as shoot locations. This gives you the added luxury of being able to shoot, edit, and design all your content in one place. From smaller studios in West Town to high-rise buildings overlooking a lake, Giggster gives you plenty of options.
Underground Studios – Subterranean Secrets. For commercial and product-based shoots, getting a closed space with quality interior lighting equipment and a quiet environment is the best option. These types of studios are quite common in areas like Logan Square, Wicker Park, and Lower Wacker Drive.
Converted Churches – Regal Vibes. Neighborhoods like Ravenswood and South Loop have some stunning architectural marvels with stained glass and high vaulted ceilings that bring lots of natural light and airiness to your studio.
Art Galleries – Contemporary Frames. Galleries with contemporary art and bright backgrounds are perfect for modern fashion shoots, wedding photography, and product shoots. Areas like Near North Side and West Town can help you shoot in the raw and edgy side of town.
Vintage Buildings – Nostalgic Journeys. Vintage buildings with period decor and sophisticated interiors have an old-world charm that can seldom be created artificially. Capture colorful pictures that tell a story with retro-themed photo studio venues at Giggster.
Plan Your Photo Shoots in Chicago
Ready to start on your photography journey and bring your creative vision to life? Chicago’s 296 listings await! From selecting the right space to getting your equipment together, here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan things.
Define Your Vision – What sort of shoots would you most likely be indulging in? Knowing this will help you develop a checklist of features you should look for in your studio. Such features could include interior style, a dedicated makeup area, lighting fixtures, mood boards, etc.
Pick the Right Studio – Browse and filter through venue options on Giggster based on your requirements. Consider things like floor area, studio size, and accessibility of the venue. Avoid putting too much emphasis on features that can be altered later on such as decor, acoustic treatments, and lighting fixtures.
Gather All Resources – Depending upon the complexity and volume of your work, consider hiring professionals such as assistant photographers, makeup artists, and stylists. Once this is done, you can rent or purchase the necessary equipment that you need. Chicago has dedicated stores like Dodd Camera and Calumet Photographic that cater especially to photo studios.
Manage Post-production – Once you have directed a shot and captured all the pictures you need, understand your client’s requirements and dive into post-production activities such as editing and retouching.
How to Save Money on Your Photo Studio in Chicago
When it comes to photo studios, think smart, not expensive. Here are some ways to keep more cash in your pocket.
Rent the equipment you need.
New gear will set you back several thousand dollars depending on your needs. Consider renting equipment and checking out used camera shops in Chicago to find good deals on sparsely used cameras and lenses.
Preplan your shoots to avoid retakes.
The time lost to retakes could be more effectively used for client acquisition or skill enhancement. Have a list of shots and angles you want to capture before the shoot day.
Can you manage within a shared studio space?
Sharing a large space can help you reduce rentals by nearly 30-40%. You can also bulk buy gear and book during off-peak hours to save money. Post-production can also be done while you’re away at home, so try to solely focus your time on conducting photo shoots while you are at the location.
Chicago Photo Studios with Giggster
Giggster: your gateway to Chicago’s best shots! Make your next event the best one so far with Chicago’s best photo studios. Book the perfect studio in the heart of Chicago from our exclusive listings, and elevate your photography portfolio today!
Written by: Madison Troyer
20 photos of Chicago in the 1920s
The 1920s in Chicago were an exciting time. Having almost finished rebuilding after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that destroyed 3.5 square miles of the city, the Midwestern metropolis surpassed 3 million residents before the decade was out. In order to house and move all these newcomers, the city undertook massive infrastructure projects, including adopting innovative public transportation options and breaking ground on a number of new construction projects. Dozens of iconic buildings—Wrigley Building, Chicago Daily News Building, and Union Station, among them—were all completed during the decade.
There were also a number of cultural shifts taking place in the city. For starters, tens of thousands of Black Americans moved from the Deep South to Chicago. Their arrival here, inspired by the huge quantity of jobs available, brought about the Chicago Black Renaissance, a creative movement equal in importance to the Harlem Renaissance. Chicago was also home to the first documented gay rights organization in the United States, the Society for Human Rights, founded by German immigrant Henry Gerber in 1924. And of course, there was the rise of organized crime, brought about by prohibition and culminating in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929.
It’s impossible to put into words exactly what life was like in Chicago during the 1920s, so Giggster combed historical archives to compile a collection of photographs that better illustrate the time period. From shots of daily life to important historical moments, these 20 photos exemplify 1920s Chicago.
Chicago’s first traffic lights
As cars became more commonplace in the 1920s, traffic lights became essential in major cities like Chicago, where roads were shared by private automobiles, horse and carriages, and streetcars. Here, traffic flows smoothly on a downtown street thanks to the installation of newfangled electric traffic lights.
The Chicago Daily News building
Two construction workers sit atop the steel frame of the Chicago Daily News building. Completed in 1929, the art deco building was opened by President Herbert Hoover, who pushed the button that started the presses.
The Art Institute ‘crosses the tracks’
The Art Institute of Chicago first opened in 1879 and immediately became a landmark location for the Windy City. As seen here, the museum was the absolute pinnacle of attention on Michigan Avenue’s east side as you move south from the Chicago River. In the ’20s, the museum added a major expansion, which bridged the railroad tracks that bordered its east wall, in an effort to house its growing collection. Today, those tracks remain in service and the museum’s extension features large windows that allow visitors to see the service traffic below.
Union Station
Following 10 years of construction, Chicago’s Union Station opened in 1925. The third-busiest station in the country to this day, the beaux arts building cost $75 million (or around $1 billion today) to complete.
CTA Motor Buses
In the 1920s, motor buses were a relatively new addition to Chicago’s public transit system—the first motor bus route began in 1917. Here, a group of riders waits at a bus stop on North and Clark Avenues.
The Graf Zeppelin
In 1929, the Graf Zeppelin made the first passenger-carrying flight around the world. During this record-setting journey, the aircraft passed over Chicago, and here, spectators gather on the Grant Park lawn, hoping to get a glimpse of the historic moment.
Liberated ladies
The 1920s, with their looser morals and more relaxed politics, brought new levels of independence for women. Here, two liberated ladies exploit those newfound freedoms by taking their car out for a joyride.
Prohibition in Chicago
Prohibition dealt a serious blow to Chicago’s economy, as saloon licensing fees had previously accounted for nearly 25% of its overall revenues. Here, a group of men dispose of now-illegal spirits shortly after the law went into effect.
The Maxwell Street Market
The Maxwell Street Market, a precursor to modern-day flea markets, has been a Chicago staple since the 19th century. Above, a group of men (likely all immigrants) stand in front of booths selling all types of wares.
A brutal winter
One of its most brutal winters in recorded history, 1925 brought a jaw-dropping 52.3 inches of snow to the Midwestern city. Here, a horse and carriage attempt to navigate an especially brutal snowstorm.
The DuSable Bridge
A barge passes under the Michigan Avenue Bridge (or the DuSable Bridge). When it was first opened in 1920, the bridge was said to be the only one in the world with two decks, both of which were at highway level.
Bert Kelly’s Jazz Stables
One of the most popular jazz clubs in Chicago during the 1920s, Bert Kelly’s Jazz Stables hosted icons like Joe “King” Oliver and the Dodds Brothers. Its owner, the eponymous Bert Kelly, claimed to have both brought jazz to the city and coined the term jazz himself.
South Water Street Market
Up until the mid-1920s, South Water Street was the primary produce market in the city of Chicago. The buildings that housed the market unloaded produce from riverboats on one side and sold to landlocked customers on the other. In 1925, the city relocated the market to a secondary location (though it kept the name) in order to construct Wacker Drive.
Uptown
In the 1920s, Uptown was one of Chicago’s most luxurious neighborhoods. Home to great shopping, theaters, jazz clubs, restaurants, and hotels, the area was where one went to see and be seen (as evidenced by this woman’s eye-catching fur jacket).
A black and tan club
Louis Armstrong and his orchestra perform at the Sunset Cafe, one of Chicago’s famous black and tan establishments. These venues allowed entrance to both Black and white patrons, making them one of the few places in the segregated city where folks of various races could mix.
The Chicago PD
Organized crime grew exponentially in Chicago during the 1920s and ’30s. Groups of Chicago police officers, such as those seen here crammed into one of the force’s automobiles, were charged with tracking down these gangsters and putting an end to their nefarious activities.
The Palmolive building
Completed in 1929, the Palmolive Building (which stands in the center of this aerial photograph) served as the headquarters for the Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company. In the ’60s, Playboy took over the lease, and in the early aughts, it was converted to residential apartments.
A freezing job
Two men greet a steamship carrying passengers and goods during a winter cold snap. The water intake cribs behind them are completely covered in ice and snow.
The Chicago Theater
The Chicago Theater, one of the grandest theaters in the country, opened its doors in 1921. Built in a neo-baroque, French Revival style, the movie palace had 3,800 seats and billed itself as “the Wonder Theater of the World.”
A dip in Lake Michigan
In an effort to beat the summer heat, Chicagoans gather on Oak Street Beach to take a dip in Lake Michigan. The second-largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan isn’t necessarily warm, but its chilly waters would have provided a welcome respite from the humidity of the Midwestern season.
