10 Good Places to Take Pictures in Chicago

The Windy City — as Chicago is traditionally and lovingly known — is world-renowned for its astonishing architecture, as well as for being incredibly clean and full of bustling energy. It’s the Midwest’s largest metropolis, and the United States’ third-largest, with a population of roughly 2.7 million people. It’s known for features as varied as its Chicago-style hot dogs, vibrant jazz scene, and gangsters of the 1920s. Unsurprisingly, there are countless amazing places to take pictures in Chicago. You just have to know how to find them!

Enter Peerspace. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we provide access to the most stunning spaces in Chicago. From secret underground speakeasies to sky-high penthouses, you can call whatever space you like yours for a few hours and unleash your creativity by taking stunning photos. No matter which side of the camera you’re on, you can use Peerspace to quickly book spaces ideal for fun, collaboration, and social media feeds.

And if you need anything extra for your Chicago shoot — be it A/V equipment or catering — rely on Peerspace’s Concierge service. This dedicated team can source just about anything you want and deliver it to you at your venue. But now, let’s put our focus back on Chicago. In this city, you’ll find so many gorgeous, photo-worthy landmarks, parks, and buildings of all styles in and around. Of these many spots, keep reading for our list of 10 good places to take pictures in Chicago.

1. A light-filled gourmet kitchen in Wicker Park

Looking to do a themed photoshoot based around food and cooking? You’ll find no better location than this glorious, open-concept gourmet kitchen. Not only is the kitchen itself beautiful, with unique modern pendant lighting, pale blue cabinets, and the highest-quality appliances, you’ll also have unbeatable (and extremely cool!) views of the Blue Line El.

Another great feature that comes with using Peerspace is that you can analyze genuine reviews from past renters, right on the listing page. Check out what one person shared after utilizing this production kitchen for her photoshoot: “This space was perfect for my branding photoshoot! It looks exactly like the photos and the amount of natural lighting was perfect. The host was very quick to respond and so helpful throughout the whole planning process. Everything went really smoothly during the event as well. Highly recommend!”

2. A vibrant and unique curated loft space

With hundreds of five-star reviews, this modern industrial loft is undoubtedly a people-pleasing location for a photoshoot. We think it has something to do with the gritty concrete details and neutral color scheme throughout the 1,227-square-foot space. Plus, you can also soak up the massive amounts of sunlight streaming through the windows. The venue includes a full kitchen and incredible views of the city. It’s fair to call this one of our top picks among good places to take pictures in Chicago.

One of this loft’s many happy Peerspace reviews shared the following insights after a shoot here: “Place was immaculately clean, has an amazing view and Charles was the perfect host. Will book again!”

3. An elegant and fun European style cafe

We love the thought of this charming European cafe as the setting for a Chicago photoshoot. Set in the River North neighborhood, it offers you a central location and first-rate hospitality. You and your entire crew can rent the space out for a private corporate or lifestyle shoot (don’t the red drapes give you Twin Peaks vibes?!) and enjoy homemade sandwiches and coffee on site.

In the words of a Peerspace reviewer who booked this cafe for an event: “Everything about Fabiola and her cafe was EXCELLENT!!!! My guests loved it!!!!”

4. “The Bean”

This is one of Chicago’s top visual attractions. The Cloud Gate sculpture, otherwise known as “the Bean,” is a mesmerizing work of art inspired by the look of liquid mercury, and that reflects the city that surrounds it. It’s a huge-scale piece — one of the largest permanent outdoor art installations, measuring 33′ x 66′ x 42′ and weighing 100 tons. The Bean is worth a visit for anyone in Chicago, but especially for photographers who can use the sculpture’s scale and reflective surface to great creative effect.

5. A funky, colorful downtown venue with eclectic decor

Here’s a quirky, totally out-of-this-world find! From the blue velvet couch to the exposed brick walls to the daring lighting and the views of the city surrounding you, any photoshoot here will be one to remember. And if you want a better view of the city, you can also snap photos on the large outdoor terrace.

As one happy reviewer commented: “Great experience. The pictures are good but the place is even better in person. Evan made sure we were comfortable and that we had everything we needed. Is a very easy, helpful owner to rent from. A definite must rent if you’re a professional.”

6. A moody, industrial-chic home in Wicker Park

If, instead of a luxurious or funky vibe, you’re looking for something more industrial, this is a high-end option. It was designed by one of Chicago’s leading commercial space designers, and it shows: ceilings run between 12 and 40 feet high, the bottom floor is creatively designed with three levels, and the gas fireplace has a facade from the 1700s. Adding to the wonderful lighting of this space is a large skylight over an open atrium, which will help take your photos to the next level.

In the words of a Peerspace reviewer: “This gorgeous space was nothing short of a dream to film in. Stacy, the host, showed excellent communication skills, was extremely hospitable, and made us feel welcome while we were in her space. The space has endless opportunities to capture on film and my crew will certainly be returning!”

7. The Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall

Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center is best known for its mesmerizing, otherworldly Tiffany dome, but also includes marble staircases, mosaics, and other historic detailing that makes it a superb destination for any photographer.

8. An airy, art-filled space ideal for photoshoots

This Logan Square storefront studio offers you an artsy and rustic ambiance that will come through clearly in your photos. In addition to its coziness, it’s full of interesting and unique touches, all of which make it a pleasure to explore and photograph. Its high ceilings, wood floors, and white brick walls make it a dream to photoshoot, especially with all the natural light flooding through the front windows.

According to one of its many five-star Peerspace reviews: “The space was great and our host was amazing! Very accommodating. He was available for us to drop off equipment and was very communicative. The space is light and airy. Tom’s art is a great touch. I would definitely reserve the space again.”

9. Play and work at this multi-set prop studio

Book one space and take photos within three distinct sets at this West Town multi-set studio. There’s the minimalistic colorful room, the Christmas setup, and the jungle TV safari (pictured above). But check out the listing before you book to see what type of sets the space currently features. We can imagine influencers, models, and even family portraits taking place here. Plus, the host offers an array of professional equipment as add-on charges if you’re interested.

A film director shared the following review on Peerspace: “This was a great space for a variety of creative ideas!! It suited the direction of our project very well. Great location!!”

10. A stunningly expansive dance and rehearsal studio

Need a big, wide-open space for your photoshoot? Looking to photograph dance or any other kind of movement? This dance and rehearsal studio, which measures over 1,300 square feet, is an excellent location for this kind of photography. In addition to its airy spaciousness, the exposed brick walls, ultra-high ceilings, and massive windows make it especially visually stunning.

This is also one of those Peerspace venues that gets lots of love from the community. Here’s an example review: “Amazing space….clean, spacious. Friendly and accommodating staff. Will be back!”

The best places to take pictures in Chicago are available on Peerspace

No matter why you need places to take pictures in Chicago, you can rely on Peerspace to hook you up with the most unique spaces across the city. We love the touristy spaces as much as the next guy. Yet, there’s something to be said for finding spaces you know will help you stand out, that are as distinct as you. Click the link above and see what Peerspace has available near you.

Find unique production spaces in Chicago on Peerspace