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Top Photo Studio venues in Chicago, IL

SuperHost
ALL IN ONE PRODUCTION HOUSE
  • $65/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 4
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Chicago, IL
SuperHost
Main Loft: Commercial | Lifestyle | Boudoir Studio Space
  • $75/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 3
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Chicago, IL
SuperHost
Big Rehearsal Space Video & Photo Studio, Basement
  • $20/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 4
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Chicago, IL
SuperHost
Bright Sunny CYC Wall Loft Studio
  • $55/hr
  • New
  • 4.7 (18)
  • 18
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Chicago, IL
SuperHost
Unique Creator Studio w/ Custom Lights & Equipment
  • $39/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 5
  • Instant book
  • Responds within 1 hr
  • Chicago, IL
SuperHost
Loft 2: Industrial Photography and Film
  • $55/hr
  • New
  • 5.0 (10)
  • 10
  • Instant book
  • Responds within a few hours
  • Chicago, IL

How to find Photo Studio venues in Chicago, IL
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Frequently Asked Questions about Photo Studio venues

Do I need my own production or event insurance in Chicago?
Yes. All renters are required to carry Comprehensive Liability and Property Damage insurance with liability coverage of no less than $1,000,000.
What protection plans are available for bookings in Chicago on Giggster?
Giggster offers Damage Protection coverage that you can add to a booking at checkout. Learn more about Giggster's Damage Protection coverage.
What types of locations can I book in Chicago?
You can choose from 42 types! Just search for locations in Chicago at giggster.com, then click 'Filters' to look for something specific.
How many Photo Studio venues are available in Chicago?
Right now, there are 369 Photo Studio venues available in Chicago.
What payment methods does Giggster accept for Chicago bookings?
You can pay for your booking with a credit card, or with ACH or wire transfer for bookings over $4k.
What is the cancellation policy for Chicago guests on Giggster?
Refund options vary, based on when the booking is canceled. Learn more about Giggster's cancellation and refund policy.
What are the cleaning and safety policies for Chicago locations on Giggster?
Now more than ever, your health and safety is our number one priority. We've outlined specific health and safety requirements for both hosts and guests. Learn more about Giggster's COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures.
What locations available near Chicago?
You'll find up to 42 different types of locations in Chicago. Just start a search at giggster.com and narrow things down with the 'Filter' option.
Is there an extra cost to add more attendees to my Chicago booking?
Yes. Pricing tiers are based on group size. For example, if you booked a space for a group of 1-5 for $30/hr, the price per person is $6/hr. Each additional person would increase the rate by $6/hr.
How much are average location rentals in Chicago?
Rental rates vary with the type and features of the location, but the average rate in Chicago is $51 per hour.
Why should I choose Giggster over other platforms offering rentals in Chicago?
Giggster's got your back — and we know our stuff. Our Customer Support team is knowledgeable and accessible, we offer white glove Select service to help you find the perfect location, and we're experts on the unique needs of production teams.
What is the price range for Photo Studio venues in Chicago, IL?
Booking prices vary with the property type, features, and rental length, but generally a 1-hour booking will be in the range of $20 to $75.
Which Photo Studio venues are most popular in Chicago, IL in 2024?
How do I book a Chicago location on Giggster?
When you find the right venue, you can connect with the host to get additional info and work out the details. Once everything is all set, you can book and pay for the location in a couple of clicks. Learn more about booking locations.
How do I cancel a Chicago reservation request?
You can contact our team to request a cancellation. Learn more about our cancellation policy.

Have a question about Photo Studio in Chicago, IL? Ask our City Guides

Find Photo Studio venues in Chicago, IL

About Chicago

Amongst the majestic beauty of the Midwest, you’ll find one of America’s biggest cities resting right on the banks of Lake Michigan. Chicago, also known as The Windy City, is the capital of Illinois and home to such powerhouse sports teams as the Blackhawks (hockey), the Bulls (basketball), the White Sox, and the Cubs (both baseball).

The streets of Chicago, Illinois, are teeming with artists, music, lights, and culture spanning generations. While in town, you can explore many universities, museums, parks, and photo studios for photo shoots.

With so many buildings, workspaces, and an ever-growing magazine of artists, finding a photo studio venue in Chicago IL will be easy. This city is known for its art and culture, so it thrives on providing competent spaces to create.

Whether you are looking for a new space with your friends to build from the ground up or join a ready-made team, Chicago has some great options to explore.

With so many locations, Chicago, IL, is like a dream location for photographers to work on their projects, from filming locations to bright lighting at night and natural light throughout the day, tall walls, wood beams, wood floors, exposed brick, and many photography elements that can produce the best photos.

Photo Studio Options in Chicago

When setting up your photo studio venue in Chicago IL, you will need a few items to help you get started.

  • Lighting

Lighting is one of the key elements of getting some good shots. Soft light helps the light wrap around objects smoothly and invitingly, while hard lighting is more direct and invasive. There is equipment that will help with both of these styles, plus more, depending on your photo shoot needs. Portrait photography also requires lighting equipment, so it's best to set everything up correctly in the studio.

  • Camera Bag (and Essentials)

If you have a fully stocked camera bag, you can adapt and overcome any obstacle at the photo studio. Since a photography studio is a creative space, ensure your camera is of good quality, and your bag is full of backup SD cards, various lenses, and plenty of batteries.

  • Backdrops

Whether you are doing a professional photo shoot for a headshot or you need to put your subject with a magic dinosaur on the moon, the right space and backdrop will help make that possible. You can have a variety of backdrops or go with a green screen and natural light and adjust it digitally in your studio.

Photo Studio Companies in Chicago

Nearby companies can help get your Chicago IL, photo studio venue off the ground with knowledgeable expertise.

  • Central Camera

This place isn’t Chicago’s oldest camera shop for nothing! The fine folks at Central Camera have proven time and time again that they have the cameras you need at the prices that work for your wallet and over 100 years! Their props have worked perfectly, with many clients saying they had a great experience. They also offer additional equipment for your photoshoot, photo studio, lounge area shoot, loft space, or event space.

  • Magnanimous Rental

If you want to rent camera gear for your photoshoot or event, consider Magnanimous Rentals. They have fantastic reviews and offer everything on hire. They offer lenses, cameras with several features, and lighting that will match your style; you can get modern grip equipment for your site at an additional cost.

  • Tamarkin Camera

Another option for your camera gear needs is Tamarkin Camera. Tamarkin offers some of the best gear money can buy, ensuring that your equipment matches the quality of your vision.

Pros and Cons of Photo Studios in Chicago

Every city is different when it comes to finding a photo studio space. When renting a photo studio in Chicago IL, by the hour or the day, there are a few things to consider.

Advantages

  • Amazing food
    No matter your project, it won't be as good if your taste buds aren’t happy while you’re doing it. Luckily, Chicago has some of the best restaurants and bars in Illinois.

  • Cheaper cost of living
    Studio rentals in Chicago IL, will be easier and more manageable than in similar-sized cities. The cost of living is much lower than in New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. You can rent a unique space on the second floor of a building or a loft on the lower west side with large windows, concrete floors, and plenty of room for a fraction of the cost.

  • Stunning architecture
    With its towering skyscrapers and gorgeous architecture with east-facing windows, ceiling windows, natural light, and more, Chicago has the vistas and inspiration to be an ideal place to rent a photo studio for professional photographers. In addition, Chicago has the top photo studios in the country because of its uniqueness.

Disadvantages

  • Traffic
    Chicago is great for many things, but driving during rush hour is not one of them. The traffic through the city is dreadful at its heaviest times, which could harm your drive. Places like Logan Square, Campbell Ave, and Hubbard St tend to have more traffic than others, especially during the peak rush hour.

  • Tough winters
    Lake Michigan is beautiful, except when it comes to creating harsh weather. Strong winds mixed with terrible snow storms make this a tough place to drive in the winter. While most of the city looks like a Christmas movie stage and is a great space to capture stunning photos, the harsh weather could make outdoor furniture and props soggy. However, it can vary depending on the severity of the winds. An experienced photographer can understand when to start shooting and when to shift to a studio.

  • Very few green areas
    Finding a green space in Chicago IL will prove to be quite difficult. You may have to rely on a studio. While you will surely find sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and buildings galore, natural wonderlands are few and far between. In addition to a green room in a photography studio, you may also require other equipment for outdoor green shoots or events.

Famous Locations in Chicago

  • United Center

If a big-name act is coming through Chicago, it can be found at the United Center. Treat yourself to a night you and the family will never forget with a professional photographer to take some lovely family photos. Top musical acts, world comedy tours, and major sporting events can be found here. The United Center is home to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls.

  • Art Institute of Chicago

Art lovers are sure to have a memorable time at the Art Institute of Chicago. This world-class museum offers visitors access to thousands of timeless pieces, including sculptures, drawings, photography, and, who can forget some original Monet paintings? Whether you are a history buff, an aspiring artist, or just a lover of beautiful art, the Art Institute of Chicago is a must-see. Head on to Chicago, IL, for a vast range of art pieces and begin your search for the best piece in town.

  • Shedd Aquarium

Imagine a place where all the world’s aquatic creatures, from the coldest waters to the warmest, can be found under the same roof. Head on over to the Shedd Aquarium, where you can have access to feed a stingray, watch a beluga whale dance, and see penguins waddle around. This is a great place to learn, explore, and discover.

Flappers in front of Belmont Theater
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Elevated view of street traffic
Schenectady Museum; Hall of Electrical History Foundation/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

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.

Construction workers on steel frame
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Passersby and cars congregate in the front of the Chicago Art Institue
Bettmann // Getty Images

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 interior
Archive Photos // Getty Images

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.

Crowd gathered at bus stop
Kirn Vintage Stock/Corbis via Getty Images

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.

People in Grant Park
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Flappers in front of Belmont Theater
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Men dumping wine during prohibition
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Maxwell street market vendors
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Art museum during snowstorm
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Open drawbridge on Chicago River
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Men by sign for Bert Kelly’s Stables
James E. Abbe/ullstein bild via Getty Images

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.

Men at South Water Street Market
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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 traffic and pedestrians
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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).

Louis Armstrong and his orchestra appear onstage at the Sunset Cafe nightclub.
Photoquest // Getty Images

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.

Police Squad
Bettmann

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.

Chicago skyline
Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Lakeside ice from winter storm
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.

Chicago Theater
Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.”

Summer crowds at Oak Street beach
Chicago Daily News/Chicago History Museum // Getty Images

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.