The last few months have been busy with private workshops. Not sure how this is happening, but I’ll take it! Always nice to spend a few hours one-on-one with someone and learn what they most love about photography and see their take on architecture photography after just a few tips 🙂
About a week ago I spent 7 hours walking over 20,000 steps with a photographer from Los Angeles who was in town for a few days. Whew, what a tiring but fun day! We started at Navy Pier. One of my favorite areas to photograph is the new stairway up to the Ferris Wheel. Good opportunities for some abstracts with the lines of the steps, curves of the banister and reflections in the glass (or plexi??) railing.

A short walk west is Lake Point Tower. My favorite area is definitely the parking entrance looking up. There’s a circular opening that fun to use as a foreground element to play off the curves of the top of LPT.

Onto Burberry, so much fun with reflections!



Not too far south is the new Apple Store right along the Chicago River. Not the easiest building to photograph but the glassy, curved edges make for some fun reflections.

Across the street is the Wrigley Building. For sure one of my favorite older buildings in the city. Love the white playing off the blue of the building in the background.

Onto Trump Tower. Always trying to find ways to play with the great reflections of the curvy riverside facade.


A quick stop by Marina Towers. Been likely the high-key look with this one lately. Sure helps in the cleanup of the worn concrete.

After a break for lunch we spent some time with Aqua’s curves.


We headed back indoors, which was a nice break from the crazy heat that day, to explore the Chicago Cultural Center. Always a favorite. So beautiful. Thought I’d play with the layering of arches and curves around the world’s largest Tiffany Glass dome.

We then spent some time at the new-ish Washington/Wabash CTA stop. Love layering the new structure with the surrounding historic buildings.

It’s also fun to focus in on the awning and its great geometry and shadow play created on a sunny day.

We headed to South Michigan Ave to spend some time outside and inside the Spertus Institute. Another location for some great geometry.




More geometry with the balconies at 235 Van Buren.

I think I’ve finally found a way I like to photograph the Sears (Willis) Tower. Using a telephoto and zooming in on the boxiness of all the cubes of the tower.

On the way to our last stop we saw this great light and reflection of an older building in the modern facade of its neighbor.

And, finally, the Calder Flamingo.

To see all the shots from the day, head over here 🙂