Chicago photography has been a part of my DNA since I picked up a camera. In early 2003, I purchased my first camera, a film Canon Rebel, and never looked back. Since then, photography has taken me to all seven continents and more countries than I care to count. Camera technology has changed. I have certainly grown a ton as an artist since those early days, but one thing remains the same: Chicago is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Please enjoy a collection of my favorite Chicago photography prints from my career as a local photographer.
The most famous photo of Chicago
In the days and nights after the George Floyd riots in the city of Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot decided to pull up the famous drawbridges crossing the Chicago River. This was an attempt to stop people from crossing back and forth, looting businesses in the affluent retail sector. During this time, cities across the United States were all dealing with the call for justice, and tension was building. I wanted to capture this historic time for our nation. Finding the perfect spot along the Chicago River, where I had a shot down the length of the east branch, I composed a panoramic image. This image has become my most famous photo of Chicago, contributing to my “best in show” honor at Chicago’s Old Town Art Fair.
Historic Chicago photography prints
At the time, these shots were me getting my feet wet in photography. However, looking back, these shots are now moments in time when Chicago was dealing with historic weather and trying times. I will speak to each of these images separately.
Super Moon Sail – In late August of 2023, I went to Navy Pier to photograph a rising supermoon over the Chicago Lighthouse just offshore in Lake Michigan. Getting there early, setting up my tripod, and using a star tracker to predict the location of the moon rise was the best decision. Soon, the edge of Navy Pier was lined with local photographers looking for the perfect places to set up. The moon hit the horizon, and the images came out incredible. I would have been pleased if this was the best it got, but then I saw a sailboat heading toward the lighthouse. It looked as if it was going to cross in front of both the moon and the lighthouse. I dialed in all my settings and captured my favorite Chicago photo of 2023.
Great Chicago Storm – Many years ago, before composite photography was popular, I decided to watch an approaching storm from the Adler Planetarium. The storm had a particularly narrow rain wall in front of it, allowing me to get great photographs of lightning using long exposure techniques. Two massive bolts rained down over downtown Chicago, captured by a single exposure, while another one that split into two was captured in a different exposure. I then took the two images and merged them into one, creating a wild panoramic image of a major storm over Chicago. Planetarium Drive is one of my favorite places to watch incoming storms.
Chicago Marching Strong –
Democracy is the foundation of the American political system; it ensures that power comes from the people, not from a monarch, dictator, or single ruling class. In a democracy, citizens have both the right and the responsibility to shape their government through voting, civic participation, and public debate. This system protects freedom, encourages accountability, and allows peaceful change over time. It gives every person regardless of background or wealth a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Democracy also fosters innovation and progress because it depends on open dialogue, competing ideas, and the ability to challenge authority without fear. At its best, it reflects the belief that government exists to serve its citizens, not the other way around.
The First Amendment is often called the cornerstone of American freedom because it protects the rights that make democracy possible: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. These protections allow people to express opinions, criticize leaders, publish ideas, gather in protest, and advocate for change all without government control or punishment. Without the First Amendment, citizens couldn’t hold those in power accountable, share new ideas, or push society toward justice. It’s what allows social movements, investigative journalism, and public debate to thrive. In short, the First Amendment isn’t just about individual liberty; it’s the oxygen that keeps American democracy alive.
Aerial photography of Chicago
I am admittedly not a huge fan of drones. All too often, I have been in a gorgeous place out alone in nature and gotten annoyed by the buzzing sound of an invasive drone. I do love the results of drone photography, but I choose to do very little myself. That being said, I find it way more fun to get on top of skyscrapers in cities to capture the top-down look of their skylines. With a few connections with residents in some of Chicago’s tallest buildings, I like to get on the rooftops of these buildings and catch the sunrise with my professional, high-resolution camera. Using a high-power professional camera lets me pull out incredible details that most drones cannot.
Abstract Chicago photography prints
Chicago is known for its architecture, but instead of always taking grand skyline shots, it is sometimes fun to zoom in on the details that make this city unique. I walked around the heart of Chicago using a 100-500mm lens to find various compositions inside the towering skyscrapers. From Jeanne Gang’s Aqua to Benjamin Howard Marshall’s The Drake Hotel, I wandered around the city, pulling the soul of the city out one frame at a time.
Michigan Avenue photography
Michigan Avenue stretches from the Gold Coast down through Grant Park, terminating at Sibley Boulevard in the Southern suburb of Dolton. Along the way, you’ll find famous landmarks like the former Hancock building, the famous old WaterTower, the Art Institute, Tribune Tower, and countless historic hotels and cultural institutions. For anyone looking to practice their urban landscape photography, Michigan Avenue has it all. As shown above, Michigan Avenue explodes with tulips every spring, making it one of the most beautiful avenues in the United States to drive, walk, and photograph.
Chicago skyline photography
Chicago has one of the best skylines of any city in the world. It is, after all, the home of the skyscraper. With a skyline filled with iconic buildings, Chicago lends itself to be photographed.
Early in 2026, a large storm hit Chicago, creating an angry Lake Michigan. The waves crashed up against the breakwalls, lifting huge blocks of ice onto the shore. The blocks, stranded by their weight, created a black canvas for my creativity. Early the next morning, I headed down to the lake and placed lights behind the ice to illuminate it from behind. The effect was like no other photograph of Chicago I have ever seen. An already beautiful skyline accented with nature’s diamonds.
Winter Glow – Limited Edition Fine Art Print of 6 – Derek Nielsen Photography
Chicago Blues – Limited Edition Fine Art Print of 6 – Derek Nielsen Photography
Chicago wildlife photography prints
Known for its beautiful skyline, history of crooked politicians, and great food, Chicago also has a hidden wild side. Several locations around the city house healthy coyote, fox, deer, reptile, and bird populations.
Winter Warrior – Limited Edition Fine Art Print of 6 – Derek Nielsen Photography
In the winter months of late 2025, a pair of snowy owls took residence on the pier extending away from Montrose Beach. I had to get out there one morning for sunrise in the freezing temperatures to find out for myself. They spent most of the time resting, but for a few short moments one of the siblings decided to harass the other. This was the perfect opportunity to get shots of them in flight. The light was perfect.
Fox – As a fine art photographer who specializes in large-format prints of nature, I was ecstatic to find out a mother fox gave birth to fox kits in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Each morning, I headed down to the protected area to see them playing. I was so proud of the city for leaving them alone. By using a 500mm lens with a 1.4x extender, I was able to capture beautiful, intimate images of the foxes before they moved on.
Whitetail deer -In Rosehill Cemetery, a herd of white-tail deer has moved in to become permanent residents. I had to see this for myself one day, so I packed up my powerful equipment and looked for them on the property. It didn’t take long to come across two large males quietly grazing in the winter sun. I framed a few nice compositions of them and left them to their quiet afternoon.
Wood Ducks and Mallard Ducks -On Chicago’s west side lies a very large park named Humboldt Park. This park and neighborhood have a bad reputation for being troubled with gang activity. Despite these issues, most of the time, the park is safe, with children playing and families out enjoying the outdoors. On the North end is a large pond with natural areas along its edges providing great nesting opportunities for ducks. One late winter evening, when the sun was casting beautiful light across the pond, I got down very low to the ground, placing the ducks between myself and the sun. This angle allowed me to capture the wings potentially illuminated by the back-lit positioned sun. Then it happened. A Drake Mallard duck rose up to shake off his feathers. Using a fast shutter speed and wide aperture, I nailed my favorite bird photograph of my collection.
Cooper’s Hawk – In relatively the same location as the aforementioned ducks were photographed, I spotted a Cooper’s Hawk sitting atop a park light. With all the trees around, the raptor still decided the light was its best vantage point. I wanted to frame this scene with a post-apocalyptic feel to it. A scene where the wild animals were taken back over.
Top-selling Chicago photography prints
Of all my photography prints of Chicago, four photos have sold more copies than any other. Like a parent struggling to pick their favorite child, as a photographer, I struggle to choose my favorite. For this reason, I will leave this list up to my collectors. A photographer’s best sellers may differ from their own favorites because a collector only sees the final product. Often, the experience behind a certain photo may be why a photographer loves a print.
- Bridges Up – panoramic photo of the Chicago River downtown during the George Floyd riots.
- Super Moon Sail – image of a sailboat passing in front of Navy Pier’s lighthouse with a full moon
- Great Street – an image of the Chicago Theatre with a Chicago sewer cap as the foreground element
- Great Chicago Storm – image of a massive storm shooting lightning over Chicago’s skyline.
Sweet home Chicago
I love this city. Chicago has been home my whole life, and as an artist, it has been a wonderful place to grow. Anyone who has attended live concerts at Soldier Field or spent a lazy afternoon in Lincoln Park would agree this is a great city. For a complete list of my top photography spots, check out my detailed article. This city is full of authentic moments on any given day. Start up in the Willis Tower Skydeck and end up laughing until your stomach hurts at Second City. Bring a camera, a great attitude, and an appetite. Chicago will fill your heart and soul with lasting memories you will never forget.
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Imagine always wondering what would have happened if you had only invested in yourself and your passions. Think about how quickly life goes. Don’t wait for tomorrow to do the things you have been thinking about doing! Take the trip. Start that business. Invest in yourself. Without photography, I don’t know what my life would look like, but it would be a lot less inspiring. Don’t let another day go by without creating the life you truly want.
Hello! I'm Derek.
DEREK NIELSEN PHOTOGRAPHY RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE GLOBAL NEED FOR CONSERVATION THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY AND DONATES UP TO 15% OF ALL SALES BACK TO ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.