14 Awesome Photoshoot Ideas in Boston

There’s probably a joke to be made here about photoshoots featuring the 70s-era rock band named Boston (of “More Than a Feeling” fame). But we’re not here to talk about that. We’re here to talk aboutthe City on a Hill, the Cradle of Liberty, Beantown — that Boston. That’s because Boston’s got historical sites galore, character for days, and a creative community that’s downright fierce. With this in mind, we’ve come up with 14 awesome photoshoot ideas in Boston, ranging from classic public locations to under-the-radar private spaces.

1. Live the high life in this luxury apartment with a view

The potential of this elegant penthouse should be immediately apparent. Not only is the tasteful décor bathed in natural light, but just beyond those windows, you’ve got a killer view of the Boston skyline.

2. Have fun with public art at the Meeting House

On the Rose Kennedy Greenway, located between Pearl and Oliver Streets, you can find The Meeting House, a public art installation by artist Mark Reigelman. One of the great things about shooting this piece is that it’s not so big that you can’t capture most — or all — of it with a wide-angle lens alongside your model. As with all good art, The Meeting House is thought-provoking, since it invites viewers to consider the layered nature of Boston’s landscape. On one hand, the city is awash with historical locations that have been meticulously preserved. On the other, many of those sites have become lost to time and replaced with the modern structures that also make Boston what it is today.

3. Duke it out in this urban luxury boxing gym

If you’re looking for a more athletic photoshoot angle, this boxing gym is the place. You’ve got all the workout equipment, punching bags, and cardio machines you could ever want. But what’s really special here is the boxing ring. That’s not to mention the rectangular overhead light above it, which behaves similarly to a studio ring light to provide some surprisingly good lighting options for a gym.

4. Get artsy at the Museum of Fine Arts

Basically by definition, the Museum of Fine Arts is full of visually awesome things. There’s a rotating collection of beautiful, passionate, creative work on display, and any of those pieces is a great complement to a model striking a pose. You can’t exactly set up studio lighting, and you won’t have the place to yourself, but if you get creative, you can take some striking shots as you enjoy the art.

5. Shoot both photos and billiards in this Foxborough game room

This rustic game room would be perfect for some moody, noir-style shots of your subject leaning against the bar or peering over the pool table. Or sprawled out on top of it, if you want to get provocative with it. There’s plenty of space here to move around and try out a lot of different approaches, so get creative.

6. Turn on the creative spigot at this offbeat museum

What could be more unique than a plumbing museum? While plumbing might not be everyone’s favorite subject, we dare you to try living without it. This intimate museum takes a fun, informative look at a marvel of engineering that we take for granted every day. What’s more, the quirky space makes for a cool backdrop for photos, with its one-of-a-kind exhibits and pleasant exposed brick.

7. Take bookwormy portraits at the Boston Public Library

Owing to its impressive architecture and lovely lighting, the Boston Public Library is widely considered one of the most photogenic locales in Boston. You can’t sprawl out with professional equipment, but if you keep it simple, you can photograph to your heart’s content. In addition to its stunning architecture, the library is also home to a wealth of art. 

8. Do behind-the-scenes music photography at this recording studio and performance space

Musicians, take note: this one’s a double-threat. On one hand, you’ve got a wood-paneled professional production room, a perfect place to take photos of the music production process. You can just image your subject bent forward over the sound board, turning knobs and bobbing their head, allowing you to capture that perfect artistic moment. But, on the other hand, you’ve also got a small performance space with theatre-style lighting equipment, allowing you to catch some performance shots.

9. Get some fresh air and use the skyline as a backdrop on this rooftop deck

If you’re looking for an outdoor shooting space with a good skyline backdrop, this is the deck you’re looking for. It’s 800 square feet of space surrounded by excellent skyline views, which means you can shoot in several directions to get photos that feel distinct from one another. There are also patio chairs and umbrellas, as well as a grill, so you can create a relaxing atmosphere while you shoot.

10. Capture chic, stripped-down portraits in a sunlit industrial studio

Sometimes, all you need is a window large enough to let in that glorious sunlight and some minimal white walls. Coupled with plenty of open space to set things up how you want them, this gorgeous space has got all you need for tasteful, chic portraiture.

11. Transform this green screen studio into whatever you want it to be

With this green screen studio, you can put your subject in any situation you can imagine. Photoshoot on the moon? Check. Striking a pose in front of the Eiffel Tower? Throw a beret on them and snap away. There are virtually no limits.

12. Live classic Americana on historic Acorn Street

Acorn Street has been called the “Most Photographed Street in America,” and it’s easy to see why: its narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets feel cozy and old-world, something out of an earlier era of American history. As such, it’s garnered a reputation as a must-shoot location for both locals and visitors.

13. Pause to reflect at this historic Dorchester church

From its timeless stained-glass to its antique wooden pews, this Dorchester sanctuary offers a peaceful, contemplative setting for a shoot. Having full access to use such a space however you’d like is a real treat, and one not to be missed. 

14. Make the Charles River your watery backdrop

Boston’s a city on the water, so getting a shot near the Charles is a good way to make a distinctly Bostonian portrait. Better yet, there are plenty of spots where you can get the river in your shot with the downtown cityscape beyond it. Take a few shots of your model walking along the water with the wind in their hair, and there won’t be any mistaking you’re in Boston.

Between housing several of the country’s finest universities and many famous landmarks, there’s plenty of prestige in Boston. But the city also has a certain grit, as well as a scrappy heart and soul that’s all its own. When you’re in Boston, you’re lucky to be here.

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