WE ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED


We are Chicago’s favorite rental photo studio

Why lug all of your gear to and from the photo studio wasting time and energy when you can rent a great loft with everything you need already inside?
Located in the heart of Pilsen and at 1945 S Halsted St., Chicago IL 60608 (near the orange, red and pink line and close to downtown, Chinatown, the south loop and the west loop), our studio features two sets in a clean, renovated building with simple pricing, free street parking, the latest Elinchrom lights, painted canvass and paper backdrops and unbeatable customer service.

Highlights

  • Available 7 days a week
  • Two sets in one 900 rsf studio
  • Exposed Brick, vintage windows and radiators
  • Renovated and clean building
  • High Ceilings (10-foot-3-inches)
  • Full control of the AC thermostat
  • Free bottled water
  • Free Coffee

Pricing

  • 2 hours at $75 per hour
  • 3-7 hours at $65 per hour
  • 8+ hours at $60 per hour

INCLUDED EQUIPMENT (comes with the rental, no extra charge to use):

Lighting

  • 3 Elinchrom ELC 500w/s strobes
  • 2 Elinchrom ELB 500ws Strobes
  • 1 Elinchrom One
  • Elinchrom Pro transmitters for Canon, Nikon and Sony. Plus generic basic transmitters avalible upon request
  • Elinchrom ELC Pro HD heads may be substituted.

Modifiers for Elinchrom

  • White beauty dish for Elinchrom mount
  • 150cm (5-foot) Rotalux Deep Octabox Indirect
  • 120cm (4-foot) Litemotiv Direct Octabox
  • 
35x90cm Rotalux Stripbox softbox (2 total)
  • 33x175cm Indirect Litemotiv Strip softbox (2 Total)
  • Parabolix 35D Paraboloc reflector with focusing rod (like a Broncolor Para 88)

Studio gear

  • Seamless paper (black/white/grey)
  • Gravity Backdrops (Gray, Ultramarine and Green)
  • 4 V-Flat World V-flats
  • 2 Autopole backdrop systems
  • Sandbags
  • Standard C stand with arm 3
  • Short rise C stand with arm 1
  • Matthews baby junior rolling stand (1 guaranteed per studio)
  • Matthews Mini Boom (1 guaranteed per studio)
  • Matthews 10′ Junior Boom
  • Flashpoint Junior Steel Wheeled Stand – 12′
  • Studio Titan Rolling Crank Stand
  • 4 Matthews full applebox
  • 1 Matthews half applebox
  • Gaffers tape
  • A clamps (several in various sizes)
  • 2 7″ Grid Reflectors
  • 7″ 10, 20, 30 & 40-degree grids
  • Studio Camera Stand with laptop shelf STA-06-093

Other

  • Steamer
  • Wardrobe rack
  • Fan for hair
  • Dressing Area
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Makeup vanity station
  • Minifridge
  • 2x 6 foot folding tables
  • Vintage wooden props, flooring and suitcases

 

FAQ / Important Info

1. Is there an elevator?

The building does not have an elevator and the studio is located on the third floor.

2.  Are there any hidden costs or fees?
Most of our photography equipment comes included with your rental at no additional cost. We do have video lights available to rent at an additional fee.

There is a $15 fee for each sweep of seamless paper that needs trimming after use. If you don’t use any paper, or if the paper only touches the ground and doesn’t get dirty, there is no charge.

If you would like us to reserve a specific color of paper for you ahead of your shoot, we can do that for a $15 fee provided there is enough notice to order the paper.

We have about 10 different painted backdrops from Gravity Backdrops and Storm Backdrops which you can rent for $15 each. But at no time may people or props be places on the backdrops.

If your shoot runs into overtime, those hours are billed at the same rate per hour as your original booking.

If you are booking multiple days in a row and wish to leave your setup and equipment in tact, we require either a 8 hour booking OR a $100 fee (if your booking is less than 8 hours) to block out the evening.

If the studio requires significant cleaning after your booking, a cleaning fee of 1 additional hour may be added. You can not use glitter, confetti or anything the produces smoke in the space.

3.  What colors of seamless paper do you keep in stock?
We guarantee black / super white / fashion grey seamless paper at all times. Specific colors outside of those 3 are not guaranteed and your choice will be subject to our current stock at the time. Unless you request we order a specific color for you.

If you would like us to reserve a specific color of paper for you ahead of your shoot, we can do that for a $15 fee provided we have enough time to order the paper.

There is a $15 fee for each sweep of seamless paper that needs trimming after use. If you don’t use any paper, or if the paper only touches the ground and doesn’t get dirty, there is no charge.

Any paper that is reserved for your booking will go back into our inventory of available paper after your booking ends.
We have a very large volume of bookings per week so our seamless inventory is constantly changing. Even if we have a certain color in stock the day before your booking, it may be gone by the time you arrive. Since we cannot 100% guarantee specific colors without the service fee, we do not provide information on the current stock.

4.  What is your cancellation policy?
We require payment up front to book the studio.  If you cancel more than 48 hours before the start of the booking you will receive a full refund. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the start of the booking you will receive a 50% refund.  We do not issue refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of the booking.  Bookings start at the time of the reservation.  If you arrive late and need to extend your booking past the scheduled end time, that will count as overtime.

5.  During what hours am I able to shoot?
The studios are open for bookings from 8am to 10pm. We can be open for bookings earlier and later than those times only with prior approval. Please contact us if you wish to book the studio outside or normal business hours.

6.  Can I bring outside equipment?
You may bring whatever equipment you would like into the studio.. even rented equipment from other studios and rental houses.  We do not charge for any outside equipment brought to Egg.  We’ll even arrange to assist with rental equipment drop off and pick up at no additional charge.

7.  Where can I park?
There is free street parking in the neighborhood. Please arrive early to allow time to find parking. We do not have private parking available. You may park on Johnson Ave after 7pm during weekdays and anytime on the weekend.

8. How many things can I plug in before I blow a fuse?
The space has 40 amps total available (2 circuits with 20 amps each). The AC units and refrigerator are on these circuits. Wall outlet only – no distribution box

9.  Can I book for just 1 or 2 hours?
We do not offer booking durations shorter than 3 hours.

10. Can I bring my dog?
No pets of any kind are allowed in the building.

11. Can we use the space for a party?
No.

12. Can I smoke in the building?
No, you can not smoke anything inside the building

13. Will an attendant be present?
Someone will give you access to the space and will then wait in the building or near by for the end of your rental or to insure the building rules are followed.

14.  I forgot a piece of equipment – where should I go?
For equipment and expendables purchases we recommend https://magnanimousrentals.com/

15.  Is there a restroom in the space?
There are public restrooms and a kitchenette down the hall.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

BY BOOKING YOU AGREE TO OUR STUDIO POLICIES:

BOOKINGS
We require payment in full to secure a booking.

AVAILABILITY
The studios are open for bookings from 8am to 10pm. We do our best to answer emails and texts ASAP, 24/7.

CANCELLATIONS
If you cancel more than 48 hours before the start of the booking you will receive a full refund. If you cancel between 24-48 hours before the start of the booking you will receive a 50% refund. We do not issue refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of the start of the booking. Bookings start at the time of the reservation. If you arrive late and need to extend your booking past the scheduled end time, that will count as overtime.

HOLDS
Because of our generous cancellation policy, you can place a hold by making a normal booking and then you can cancel it if your shoot falls through.

DELIVERIES / PICKUPS / OVERNIGHT STORAGE & EQUIPMENT HOLD OVER
Any deliveries or pick-ups before or after the booking must be pre-arranged with the studio. We try our best to accommodate deliveries and pickups but we cannot 100% guarantee that these can be accommodated.
If you are booking multiple days in a row and wish to leave your setup and equipment in tact, we require either a 8 hour booking OR a $100 fee (if your booking is less than 8 hours) to block out the evening.

NOISE POLICY
Noise must be kept to a respectable volume as we have other tenants and neighbors in the building.  Music should not be able to be heard from the hallways from outside the studio doors. Any noise generated that would be considered outside of a normal office volume such as live instruments, singing, dance rehearsals, is strictly prohibited and you will be asked to cease your production and/or leave the studio. Please coordinate with the studio ahead of time if you feel your booking may generate noise beyond a reasonable volume.

OVERTIME
Overtime hours are billed at the same rate per hour as the original booking (not factoring in any promo codes or discounts used).

You may extend into overtime if needed as long as it does not conflict with a booking after yours. Please note that we close at 10pm, so you may also not extend past that time.

You must be COMPLETELY wrapped by the end of your booking to avoid overtime hours being billed.  If you are still shooting and/or wrapping up when your booking ends, this will count as overtime.

By going into overtime you authorize us to automatically charge the credit card you used to make your booking.

CLEANING
The studios must be left the way you found it. All equipment must be put away, with trash brought to the trash bins. If the studio requires significant cleaning after your booking, a cleaning fee of $100 will be added.

THE USE OF GLITTER IS NOT ALLOWED. A $500 cleaning fee will automatically be applied if glitter is used.
By booking at shoot at our studio you agree that we can charge the credit card you used to make your booking for cleaning fees.

SEAMLESS PAPER
We guarantee black / super white / fashion grey seamless paper at all times. Specific colors outside of those 3 are not guaranteed and your choice will be subject to our current stock at the time. Unless you request we order a specific color for you.

If you would like us to reserve a specific color of paper for you ahead of your shoot, we can do that for a $15 fee provided we have enough time to order the paper.

There is a $15 fee for each sweep of seamless paper that needs trimming after use. If you don’t use any paper, or if the paper only touches the ground and doesn’t get dirty, there is no charge.

Any paper that is reserved for your booking will go back into our inventory of available paper after your booking ends.
We have a very large volume of bookings per week so our seamless inventory is constantly changing. Even if we have a certain color in stock the day before your booking, it may be gone by the time you arrive. Since we cannot 100% guarantee specific colors without the service fee, we do not provide information on the current stock.

AUDIO RECORDING
We are NOT a sound stage. The studio is NOT noise proof and is located on a busy city street. We cannot guarantee complete silence. There may noise from the hallways, traffic noises outside the windows, construction happening outside, or any number of other noises which may interfere with your shoot. If you choose to record audio please understand that you are doing so at your own risk.

CONDUCT ON PREMESIS
Rooftop access is strictly prohibited. Attempting to access the roof will result in the building alarm being triggered.
Drug use is strictly prohibited.
Smoking/vaping of any substance is strictly prohibited anywhere within the building.
Use of smoke/haze machine of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Alcohol consumption is not permitted.
DO NOT use the public areas (hallways, lounge, kitchen, lobby, etc.) as an extension of the studio.  Filming and shooting is only permitted within the studio spaces.
Please do not drag any furniture or heavy objects across the floors.  Please ask if you need assistance moving anything.

INDEMNIFICATION ON PREMISES
The studio shall not be responsible or liable to Client, or any person claiming, by, through, or under Client, for any loss or damage to any property or business in the premises. The studio shall not be responsible for any accident or injury, including death, to any of Client’s employees, agents or invitees in or about the Demised Premises.
Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The studio its officers, directors, partners, employees, and agents of the Demised Premises or any portion thereof, from and against any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

LIABILITY
The client hereby accepts full responsibility for the replacement costs of any damages or loss incurred during their time at the studio This includes but is not limited to equipment repairs and damage you cause to the building. Because of this we require that you carry commercial liability insurance.

If any equipment is damaged during the shoot or is misses, you will be charged the replacement cost for the item (s) and if a repair is possible, or the missing equipment is returned in good order immediately, we will refund the amount in excess of the actual costs. These costs may includes shipping, repairing or renting replacement equipment during the repair.
The Studio is not responsible for any left or lost items in the studio.

RIGHT TO CANCEL AND REMOVE FROM PROPERTY
The studio reserves the right to cancel and remove an existing booking at any point, before or during a shoot, if deemed appropriate.

POWER
Each studio has a total of 40 available amps. There are 2 circuits with 20 amps each.

CHARGES
By booking an appointment at out studio you agree to allow us to charge your credit card for any damages, overtime, cleaning fees or any other costs as outlined herein.