As the hub of some of America's largest corporations and ad agency powerhouses like DDB, Energy BBDO and FCB, Chicago has long been a center for commercial photography. Local photographers say they have a wealth of retailers and rental resources close at hand. Commercial photographer Todd Baxter notes, "Thanks to courier services, public transportation, and a lot of little shops, photo resources are never too far away in the city of Chicago." While offering all the amenities of a rich and diverse city, Chicago photographers also say that their average business costs are slightly lower than in Los Angeles or New York.

While most photographers based in Chicago make their living working for design firms, ad agencies or directly for corporate clients, Chicago's profile as a center for forward-looking, fine-art photography continues to grow. The opening in May of the modern wing of The Art Institute of Chicago, designed by architect Renzo Piano, is just the latest example. This month, the second of the new wing's inaugural shows of contemporary photography will highlight work by Jeff Wall, Alec Soth, Larry Sultan, Zoe Leonard and others. Meanwhile Columbia College Chicago, one of the country's largest private arts schools, has attracted well-known photographers like Dawoud Bey and Brian Ulrich to its faculty. The Museum of Contemporary Photography, which the school launched in 1984, has become an important voice in the fine art world through its influential exhibitions and its support of artists through its Midwest Photographers Project, a rotating collection of portfolios by both prominent and emerging photographers in every genre from the region. Current MPP artists include Beth Dow, Dave Jordano, Colleen Plumb, Sandro, Julie Blackmon and Melissa Ann Pinney. The museum also hosts lectures that offer opportunities for photographers to meet that are, according to some locals, all too rare in this large city.

Photographers who aren't actively involved in the arts scene or a local trade association say Chicago's photo community is "splintered." Some say they would welcome more opportunities for photographers to get together and share work, ideas and solutions. As advertising and design photographer Tom Maday says, "We're all faced with the same challenges and more communication would help."


Favorite Places To Shoot?

Chicago and its surrounding areas offer a host of location opportunities that can suit most any need—so long as you're not looking for hills or mountains. "You will find places here that you can make look like Paris, London, New York," says editorial and commercial photographer David Anthony. "We did a shoot at Montrose Beach and made it look like the Scottish Highlands." Saverio Truglia, who shoots ads and editorial work, says that a good location scout can turn the city into almost anything. "Film permits are $25 and local businesses are great to work with," he adds. "One can travel the world visually and never leave the city," says commercial and editorial shooter Paul Elledge, citing the variety of "colorful neighborhoods," the downtown architecture and the city's parks. Tom Maday says he loves to shoot underneath the El train tracks and on the bridges along the Chicago River, which "provide interesting framing devices for cityscapes." More than one photographer recommended shooting the city from a building rooftop. Fine-art photographer Colleen Plumb points out that Chicago is very neighborhood-based, from the "older character" of Ukrainian Village/Wicker Park, to trendy Bucktown, to the large Hispanic and Italian populations in Pilsen and Bridgeport. Hyde Park, Randolph Street, Michigan Avenue, Bahai Temple and the Lake Michigan waterfront were also recommended locations. Wedding photographer Amanda Sudimack suggests the Chicago Cultural Center, Garfield Park Conservatory and the Chicago History Museum in town. Todd Baxter likes to shoot in the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry as well as in the suburbs, where one can find great examples of 1960s–70s architecture.

Best Clients
Commercial:
Allstate Insurance Boeing McDonald’s Sears CME Group Chicago Board Options Exchange DDB Energy BBDO	Draft FCB Kraft Quaker Morton’s Salt Abelson Taylor Leo Burnett Ogilvy Depaul University Miller-Coors
Editorial:
Chicago Magazine Stop Smiling Time Out Chicago Chicago Home Magazine	CS Modern Luxury Publications Michigan Avenue

Local Resources
Photographers we interviewed recommended the following from the city's many resources:
Equipment Rental and Retail Calumet Photo Dodd Camera Helix Camera & Video Essanay Studio & Lighting, Co. Central Camera RSL Elite Truck Rental Processing JS Graphics Precision Imaging CSW Film Systems	Scanning/Printing The Pixel Mint Black Point Editions Studios Product Productions ProGear Prop Rental Propabilities, Inc. Zap Props

If Someone Only Had 48 Hours to Spend in Chicago, Where Would You Send Them?

Downtown Chicago is full of architectural gems, and several photographers recommended taking in the sweeping views of Lake Shore Drive or heading to Millennium Park. Says Scott Bell, "It is where you will find a lot of the iconic views of the city as well as great public art and the museums." From the Art Institute, commercial and editorial shooter Paul Elledge says, "If the weather is nice and you feel like a longer walk, cross the river and go into the gallery district and visit Catherine Edelman Gallery as well as Stephen Daiter Gallery." Tom Maday notes, "You'll have tourist company but the observation deck at the John Hancock Building gives you a great sense of the geography of the city and its connection to Lake Michigan. Also, the river cruises hosted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation provide views of the city that you don't see walking or driving, along with providing relevant history and information." Lower Wacker Drive is a distinctly Chicago site that food and still-life photographer Deborah Fletcher recommends.

If you've had enough of urban environments, downtown is only 30 minutes from forest preserves and rivers, Scott Bell notes, adding, "Oh, and there is a really huge lake." Advertising photographer Steve Grubman says the dunes of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan or the Kettle Morraine of Wisconsin are only two hours away, and provide great shooting locations.

If you're visiting in the winter, you'll want to be indoors. Besides gallery and museum hopping the city offers great restaurants. After dinner, suggests Paul Elledge, "I would go have a drink and catch a rock show at either the Hideout, Double Door, or visit one of the smaller places on the Near North West Side."

Places to View Photography

The Art Institute of Chicago Columbia College Catherine Edelman Gallery Stephen Daiter Gallery Museum of Contemporary Photography The Museum of Contemporary Art The Bank of America (corporate collection) Carrie Secrist Gallery Douglas Dawson Gallery Shashi Caudill Photographs & Fine Art

Advantages and Disadvantages to Working / Living in Chicago:

The diversity of locations, resources and "qualified support crew" all help photographers make the most of working in Chicago, says Scott Bell. Paul Elledge agrees: "The crews have great work values." Tom Maday says that companies like Allstate, Boeing and Sears "provide direct, ongoing opportunities for photographers," and the deep pool of advertising, design and public relations companies keep Chicago photographers working. "It's all about food," says food shooter Stephen Hamilton. "Chicago is where companies come to get food, beverage and packaged goods photographed."

Commercial and editorial shooter Callie Lipkin feels that clients there are more loyal; "Chicago is all about relationships," she says.

Shooters who travel for assignments appreciate Chicago's two major airports and central location which, according to Saverio Truglia, photographers need to make use of to build a national career because of limited editorial opportunities. "Chicago is a good city for art making, starting a company and building personal equity," Truglia adds. "It's a place where you might reasonably reduce your debt after college because things generally cost less than [in New York or Los Angeles]." Nearly all of our respondents appreciate the lower housing and studio prices, and Laurie Rubin, who shoots food and still life, likes that she can live in a house with a yard within a short train ride from Downtown. Chicago has a thriving art scene as well. "There are always shows and lectures to attend," says Colleen Plumb. The major disadvantage is the "freaking cold" winter weather, which limits outdoor shooting for several months a year, nearly everyone agrees. But Steve Grubman sees a silver lining: "It's a good reason to get in the studio and create some imagery."

Recommended Places to Stay
The Peninsula Hotel W Lakeshore The Amalfi Hotel The James Hotel Sofitel Hotel Wit Hotel The Sax Four Seasons The Ritz	Sutton Place Hotel The Drake Park Hyatt The Blackstone The James Palmer House (short cab to West Loop photo galleries and Art Institute)

Where to Eat

Japonais (business meal) Podhalanka Charlie Trotters The Publican Table Fifty-Two Frontera Grill Topolobampa (Mexican) Green Zebra (vegetarian) Lula Café (organic and local produce) Francesca’s Forno (Italian) Mia Francesca (Italian) Feed (Southern) Soul Vegetarian (Vegan) Mr. Beef Uno Chicago Grill Blackbird Wishbone (classic Chicago southern-style breakfast) Manny’s Delicatessen Heaven on Seven Butterfly Karyn’s Cooked (vegetarian) Irazu (Costa Rican) Ethiopian Diamond Bistro Campagne (French)

Avec Hae Woon Dae The Double Door The Bongo Room Spring Restaurant (seafood) Luxbar RL Restaurant Gibson’s (business) Hugo’s (business) Tweet…Let’s Eat (brunch) La Luce (Italian) Thai Lagoon La Boca della Veritá Vivo Milk and Honey Cafe (casual lunch) Flo (brunch) Puck’s at the MCA Bistro 110 (French brunch) Lou Mitchell’s (breakfast) Eleven City Diner (lunch) Simone’s Follia (Italian, business meal) Spacca Napoli (pizza) Tiffin (Indian) Hot Doug’s