Chicago Streets

Trains, buses, and a ton of walking—this is how I immersed myself in the streets of Chicago. I spent the day with Teresa Peek, a very talented local photographer.

We toured her city from morning till dusk. She unveiled hidden gems and educated me on sites I would have overlooked. For instance, I had no clue that on August 8, 2004, a bus belonging to the Dave Matthews Band crossed the Kinzie Street Bridge and emptied its septic tank over the Chicago River. The sewage passed through the metal grates of the bridge, splattering onto more than 100 people on a sightseeing boat below. A sticker on the bridge now makes perfect sense, knowing this backstory.

Chicago's unique position made it the major hub for transporting goods between the Great Lakes and the Great Plains. It's a vibrant tapestry of new and old architecture, offering countless unique spots to photograph people, places, shapes, and shadows. I've always planned on visiting Chicago, and this was an incredible way to do so.