Sunrise at the Bean

Join us for a spectacular morning at Millennium Park to capture one of Chicago’s most iconic photographic events: the Spring Equinox Sunrise.
Twice a year, the sun aligns perfectly with the city’s east-west grid, allowing the light to glow directly through the "omphalos" (the central arch) of Cloud Gate. This "Chicagohenge" effect creates a stunning golden starburst framed by the curves of the Bean ... a must-have shot for your portfolio.

### What to Bring

• Gear: A wide-angle lens is great for the scale, but a mid-range zoom (such as 24 - 70mm) is often better for compressing the sun under the arch.
• Support: Tripods are highly recommended for the low-light pre-dawn shots, though the park can get crowded, so be mindful of your footprint.
• Settings: Prepare to stop down to $f/16$ or $f/22$ if you want to capture that crisp "sunstar" effect.
• Comfort: It’s March in Chicago! Even if the forecast looks clear, the lake breeze can be biting at 6:00 AM. Dress in layers and wear comfortable boots.

After the sun is up and the "Golden Hour" fades, we’ll head to a nearby cafe (likely Wildberry or Intelligentsia) to warm up, share our best frames, and talk shop.

Car Pool: Message me directly if anyone interested in Carpooling from Naperville - I can take up to 3 people - $15/head round trip.

Note: This event is weather-dependent. If we have heavy cloud cover or rain, we will post an update by 5:00 AM the morning of the event.