Home / Engagement Locations / Chicago / LaSalle Street Bridge
Connecting the River North neighborhood to The Loop, LaSalle Street Bridge serves as a gateway to the center of Chicago and a favorite choice of couples for engagement photos and wedding day portraits.
The Marshall Suloway Bridge as it’s officially recognized, is probably the most famous of Chicago’s many iconic river crossings. Chicago’s bridges fall into one of four structural types (Deck Truss, Through Truss, Pony Truss and Rail Height Truss).
LaSalle Street’s “Pony Truss” architecture is the best blend for photography purposes. It’s the only style that doesn’t have street-level fencing to obstruct shots from across the street. The trusses themselves and their iconic “"old bordeaux" color serve as their own aesthetic feature.
To the west you have sunset, to the south you have the view down LaSalle toward the Board of Trade Building. To the North you have an immediate view of the Merchandise Mart and to the East you have the view down the river toward Chicago classicss like Marina Towers and London House alongside Chicago’s third tallest building, Vista Tower.
In the fall afternoons, the sun screams down the river and reflects off the glass skyscrapers to make for some truly magical light.
LOCATION DETAILS
Address: 300 N. LaSalle Dr., Chicago, Il 60601
Neighborhood: The Loop / River North
Permit: Not Required
WHY WE LOVE IT
LaSalle Street Bridge is so centrally located downtown, that it's great on both a wedding day and for engagement photos. You're a few steps away from the Riverwalk and within blocks of landmark locations like the Chicago Theatre.
I've probably shot more couples on LaSalle Street than any other single Chicago location, and I personally enjoy the challenge of finding new and creative ways to make photos in a familiar space.
If you're feeling especially ambitious, one of my favorite photos to make is with the couple standing on the truss at the middle of the bridge. I promise it's not as scare as it sounds!
Fun fact: While there are four Beaux Arts-style bridge houses (each corner), only two are needed to lower and raise the bridge. The other two are purely ornamental.
