Let’s face it, Chicago Theatre photos provide some of the most iconic photo backdrops in all of Chicago. Come check out these beautiful photos!
Chicago Theatre Photos
While this is a busier location, it’s well worth it! Between the lights, the CTA station, and the nearby EL station, there are a number of very “Chicago” elements to incorporate into the background of your portraits! There’s nothing quite like doing your portrait session in the heart of Chicago!
When is the best time to photograph here?
There are two major considerations for timing for your Chicago Theatre photos: time of day and time of year. First, for time of day it depends what kind of look you’re going for in your photos. If you’re shy, and want a softer look in your images, I recommend photographing in the morning for fewer crowds and soft backlighting. If you’re looking for a bolder, edgier look and don’t mind a few bystanders gawking, I recommend going at sunset to get the marquee lights to pop!
Chicago Theatre photos are pretty at nearly every time of year, but I have a soft spot for spring when the tulips are coming up. 🙂
Chicago Theatre Graduation Portraits
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law hosts its commencement ceremony each year at the Chicago Theatre! Unfortunately, the theatre does not put up the fun School of Law announcement on the marquee until the day of graduation! In order to make these shots happen, I photographed my client earlier in the week and she sent over phone photos of the marquee which I photoshopped onto her images. I’m glad it worked out because it adds a magical extra touch to the images!
I do NOT recommend having your portrait session on the day of your graduation. I get it, it sounds like a great idea with family in town. In practice it’s far too much to cram into one day and is VERY crowded at all the places you’ll want for Chicago Theatre photos. I recommend scheduling your photoshoot a few days to a few weeks before your commencement ceremony depending on when you get your cap and gown. The timeline is calmer, and you will have professional photo sneak peeks (or a full gallery) to share on the day of your graduation.
Client Review
I couldn’t be happier with Kristen and the incredible job she did with my law school graduation photos. This was such a huge milestone in my life, and she truly brought my vision to life in the most beautiful way.
Her professionalism stood out from day one – she handled every detail seamlessly, which allowed me to just focus on celebrating this major accomplishment. When she said ‘trust the process,’ I’m so glad I did! The results speak for themselves.
The photos are absolutely stunning and perfectly capture this momentous achievement. I now have these gorgeous images that I’ll treasure forever as a reminder of all the hard work that led to this moment. She has such a gift for understanding what her clients want and delivering beyond expectations.
I would highly recommend Kristen Hazelton Photography to anyone looking for a photographer who combines exceptional skill with genuine care for making your special moments shine. Thank you for giving me these perfect memories!
Kristen Hazelton is a multi award-winning Chicago, IL and San Francisco Bay Area high school senior, university graduate, and family photographer. She also photographs in San Diego, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, Monterey, CA, and Seattle, WA. She is a firm believer in human rights and welcomes LGBTQ+ and nonbinary clients. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
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