The Studio Chicago

The Studio Chicago is a daylight photo studio rental and creative hub at 2255 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop, near McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena. Founded in 2021, it has more than 8,000 square feet across two third-floor spaces: The Studio West, the original private studio, and The Studio East, a set of shared rental rooms that opened next door in early 2025. According to The Studio Chicago, its clients include Nike, Nordstrom, Free People, Arhaus and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Studio spaces

• The Studio West: a 4,800-square-foot private daylight studio and event space with a 1,500-square-foot shooting bay, 16-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling south- and west-facing windows, heavy canvas curtains that block about 75 percent of the light and white concrete floors. It includes furnished living, dining, kitchen and office sets, a dressing room and a full bathroom.
• The Studio East: a 4,100-square-foot space with southern and eastern exposure and lined linen curtains, split into four individually bookable rooms, including The Closet, an interview and podcast room and The Studio Mini. The whole space can also be rented privately.

Both spaces can be booked together for larger productions.

Equipment and amenities

Photo rentals include C-stands, a large scrim, sandbags, apple boxes, a selection of 9-foot seamless backdrops, reflectors and props, along with wardrobe steamers, rolling racks, hair and makeup chairs and full-length mirrors. Furniture and decor rotate regularly. The building has a loading dock, rolling carts on request and handicap access, and paid parking is available on Michigan Avenue and in nearby lots.

Services and hours

The in-house team of photographers, videographers, creative directors and event stylists can be added to a rental. The Studio West is available any day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with extended hours on request, and also hosts intimate events.