Chicago Magazine Photographer: New York Times Magazine 36 Hours in Chicago
![CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 19, 2013: Tourists visit the "Bean," or as its officially known, Cloud Gate, in Millennium Park. CREDIT: John Gress for The New York Times](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/01/15C9740.jpg)
Shooting this travel story for The New York Times Magazine was a great experience. As a Chicago transplant, I make my way around the city just about everyday, but this time I got to really appreciate Chicago through the eyes of a tourist.
A Chicago Cocktail Crawl
![Bartender Charles Joly of the Aviary in Chicago](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/01/RG214211-720x1080.jpg)
I love it when an assignment not only gives me an opportunity to do what I love – shoot environmental portraits – but it gives new insights about the city I call home.
When the New York Times magazine asked me to shoot a series of images showcasing Chicago bars and bartenders I was shown five great places to tie one on, all with a unique knot.
Chicago Food Photographer: Logan Square’s Polanco
![](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/07/porkchopIMG_0903retouchedb.tif2_1-720x480.jpg)
Food photography used to not be my thing. After shooting several restaurant review photos, I leaned how much fun it can be to make colorful compositions out of bite sized morsels and plates of picturesque protein.
New candy so cool, it doesn’t need a freezer
![Chicago,product,photographer,photography,packaging,candy,consumer packaged goods,food](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/05/Klondikead-720x499.jpg)
The top selling frozen novelty ice cream is now a candy and guess who shot the packaging?
Chicago Magazine Food Photographer: Kellogg’s Corn Pops
![Chicago Magazine Food Photographer: corn pops](https://johngress.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/11/RG25423.jpg)
When I was photographing chef Jared Wentworth, I told him this was the most beautiful dish I have photographed all year… my apologies to all the other chefs who have posed for me in the past twelve months.