Chicago Film Photography | Capturing the Moments

January 17, 2026

For me, Chicago film photography isn’t just a hobby. It is a philosophy. Whether I am documenting a sweeping urban landscape or a wedding day on film, film demands presence. Digital simply cannot replicate that feeling.

There is a specific kind of patience that only exists when you have exactly 36 frames in your hand. Recently, I spent a day exploring the city with my favorite analog bodies. I traded the rapid-fire shutter of a digital sensor for the deliberate, quiet click of a film camera. Consequently, the day became about more than just a location. I wanted to capture the “soul” of the city through texture and light.

Finding the Light: Chicago Film Photography at the Art Institute

I started my morning at the Art Institute of Chicago. Most visitors were busy snapping quick photos on their phones. However, I stood still. I waited for the light to hit the marble just right. For the grand, quiet halls of the museum and photographs of the artwork, I chose Kodak Gold 400 (pushed 1-stop as I avoided flash). The outside exterior was captured on Lomography Lomochrome ’92.

The iconic bronze lion statue at the Art Institute of Chicago entrance captured on 35mm film.
A wide-angle landscape shot of a quiet gallery inside the Art Institute of Chicago on Portra 400.
High-contrast color film photo of the grand marble staircase at the Art Institute.
Soft morning light hitting the minimalist architecture of the Art Institute Modern Wing on film.
A film landscape of the Chicago skyline reflecting in the glass of downtown skyscrapers.
A candid street scene in downtown Chicago shot on medium format film for a fine-art look.
Artistic film photography of The Bean in Millennium Park showing distorted reflections of the city.
Close-up of textures and tall grasses in Lurie Garden with the Chicago skyline in the background on film.

The way film handles the transition between highlights and shadows in these galleries is unmatched. Specifically, I focused on the “art within the art.” I watched how a shadow fell across a 19th-century sculpture. Moreover, I captured the physical grain of a canvas under the soft museum lights.

  • The Intentionality: Using film inside the museum reminded me why I encourage my wedding clients to choose analog. You get highlights that don’t “blow out” and skin tones that feel alive.
  • The Composition: I spent time capturing the architecture of the Modern Wing. These straight lines perfectly frame the softness of the natural light.
A timeless landscape of Cloud Gate in Millennium Park captured on fine-grain color film.
A detail shot of the water and glass brick textures at Crown Fountain in Chicago on 35mm film.

From Downtown Streets to the Textures of Millennium Park

After leaving the museum, I walked into the heart of downtown. The energy changed immediately, yet my process stayed the same. Once I finished my Lomo ’92, I used a roll of Kodak E100 for the walk toward Monroe Harbor and Buckingham Fountain. This film offers high saturation and fine grain.

I did not look for standard tourist shots. Instead, I looked for textures. I wanted to see the contrast of cold metal against the organic curves of the Lurie Garden. I take this same approach during a wedding. While the portraits matter, the landscapes and the “feeling” of the venue complete the story.

In Millennium Park, I moved slowly through the gardens. Seeing the city through a viewfinder forces you to notice everything. For example, I watched the wind move the tall grasses against the skyscrapers. It was a reminder that beauty is found in the stillness.

A serene landscape of sailboats at Monroe Harbor in Chicago captured on medium format film.
The intricate water displays of Buckingham Fountain captured with the soft grain of analog film.
A wide-angle landscape of the Chicago skyline viewed across the water from Monroe Harbor on film.
Artistic close-up of the pink marble details of Buckingham Fountain in Chicago on 35mm film.
The peaceful atmosphere of the Chicago lakefront with sailboats docked at the harbor on color film.
Golden hour light hitting the masts of boats in Monroe Harbor, showcasing the warmth of film.
A thoughtful, slow-shutter film shot of water movement at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park.
A detailed shot of architectural textures near the Chicago lakefront captured on black and white film.
A romantic, fine-art landscape of the Chicago harbor, perfect for wedding inspiration on film.
A quiet pathway leading through Grant Park toward the city skyline, captured on analog film.
A detailed film study of a classical sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago showing soft light.
chicago film photography
Creative reflections of the Chicago skyline in a puddle near Millennium Park on analog film.
A grainy, artistic black and white street scene in downtown Chicago showing urban movement.
Soft floral bokeh in the Lurie Garden with the Chicago skyline blurred in the background on film.
Close-up of limestone textures on a historic Chicago building captured on fine-grain film.
A minimalist, abstract crop of Cloud Gate (The Bean) highlighting its polished steel on film.
A deliberate, slow-paced landscape of a quiet Chicago corner during a film photography walk.
Abstract lines of sailboat masts at Monroe Harbor against a clear blue Chicago sky on film.
The Chicago skyline appearing through a soft morning haze on the lakefront, shot on analog film.
A painterly landscape of the Grant Park gardens captured on color slide film for high saturation.
Looking down Monroe Street toward the lakefront on a sunny day in Chicago on 35mm film.
A timeless, vintage-inspired view of a Chicago park bench and skyline on grainy film.
A wide, cinematic landscape of Chicago's lakefront architecture captured on medium format film.
monroe park downtown chicago film photography

Why Film Matters for Your Story

You might wonder why I choose the “limitations” of film in such a fast-paced city. The truth is, those limitations are actually freedoms. Because I do not check a screen after every shot, I am fully immersed in the moment.

For clients who value a fine-art approach to their wedding day, this is the magic of film. It is not just a photo; it is a tangible memory. The grain and the depth make the images feel human. My day spent practicing Chicago film photography reminded me of an important truth. Whether I am shooting a skyscraper or a bride, I am creating a piece of art that stands the test of time.

If you’re looking for a film photographer for your wedding or just a session, I’d love to chat!

Inquire Here