Boston Photo Spots
Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over three million memories worldwide. Today, we asked our local photographers in Boston, Massachusetts, to show us around all the very best spots for pictures, and we can’t wait to share some of their favourite places to take photos in Boston! 📸
Photo: Meghan in Boston for Flytographer. Ashley and family capture memories of their trip at Beacon Hill in Boston on a family photoshoot.
1. Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most historic and picturesque neighbourhoods—a perfect place to explore. 📍 With charming rowhomes, brick sidewalks, cobblestone streets, flower boxes, and flickering lanterns, the steep streets of Beacon Hill are perfect for your Flytographer photoshoot. The famous Acorn Street is located in Beacon Hill, as is the Massachusetts State House and Boston Common (which we’ll get to in a moment).
The quaint Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is one of the most beautiful bookstores on the entire East Coast and is a perfect pit stop while you’re exploring Beacon Hill. 📚 We also recommend a visit to the Museum of African American History where you can learn about the lives and experiences of Black Americans in Boston in the 18th and 19th centuries.
To get inspired by this amazing Boston route, be sure to check out galleries from Beacon Hill! 👍
Photo: Sarah S. in Boston for Flytographer. Sara and partner capture memories of their babymoon at Beacon Hill in Boston on a couples photoshoot.
2. Copley Square
Formerly known as Art Square, Copley Square is located in the Back Bay neighbourhood of Boston (more on Back Bay is below!). Copley Square is surrounded by stunning Boston architecture, upscale shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Copley Square is also adjacent to the grand Boston Public Library—be sure to visit the world-famous Reading Room here in the library. It is a stunner. Depending on the season you travel, we definitely recommend you also check out the Farmers Market in Copley Square, held twice a week from May through November. 🍓
Photo: Sabine in Boston for Flytographer. Chelsea and partner celebrate their anniversary at Copley Square in Boston with a couples photoshoot.
3. Boston Common
Founded in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest park. With a heavy history and endless stories to tell, Boston Common is a must-see while you’re in Boston.
Boston Common is the start of the 2.5 mile/4 km Freedom Trail—something that should be at the very top of your Boston must-see list! Boston Common is centrally located and easy to access no matter where you’re staying or what you’re planning to see while you’re in town. 🚶♀️
Boston Common is just next to Boston Public Garden—the two share public spaces but serve different purposes. While the Public Garden is more of a manicured garden and ornamental space, Boston Common is a recreational green space. (More on Boston Public Garden below.)
Fun tip: After visiting Boston Common, be sure to stop at the Brattle Book Shop nearby! 📖 Brattle Book Shop is one of America’s oldest and largest antique book shops.
Photo: Eva in Boston for Flytographer. Mandy and partner capture memories of their trip at Boston Common in Boston on a couples photoshoot.
4. Back Bay
Lined with some of America’s most beautiful Victorian brownstones, Back Bay is one of Boston’s most iconic (and expensive 🫰) neighbourhoods. Did you know, before it was the exquisite waterfront landscape it is today, Back Bay was once an actual bay?! 💧 Seriously! In addition to incredible residences and luxurious hotels, Back Bay is today home to the previously-mentioned Boston Public Library, Boston Architectural College, as well as some of Boston’s most significant commercial buildings and skyscrapers.
Back Bay is considered one of the country’s best-preserved examples of 19th-century urban architecture, and these are just some of the reasons why Back Bay is on our list of one of the best places to take photos in Boston!
Don’t miss the Charles River Esplanade while you’re in Back Bay, especially if you’re a runner, jogger, or biker. This stretch of greenway along the water is perfect for those who are active—not to mention, it’s a great stretch to capture some fantastic photos of the Boston skyline as you move. 👀
Photo: Meghan in Boston for Flytographer. Muskaan and partner capture memories of their trip on a custom route in Boston on a couples photoshoot.
5. Boston Harborwalk
Boston Harborwalk is one of our most popular locations for Flytographer photoshoots! Harborwalk is a 40+ mi./70+ km public walkway that extends around Boston’s shoreline, connecting visitors to parks, museums, beaches, restaurants, stores, and so much more making it one of the best places to take photos in Boston. Harborwalk is safe, accessible, and photogenic, with stunning views of both the water and city! Catching a glimpse of Boston’s skyscrapers is an incredible sight both day and night, with a favourable view of the city no matter the time of day or season. 🌆
Photo: Caroline in Boston for Flytographer. Kelly and partner capture memories of their engagement at Boston Harbourwalk in Boston on a proposal photoshoot.
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6. North End Neighbourhood
We love Boston’s North End, and we know you will, too. This area really is the heart of Boston. The North End, where you’ll also find Boston’s (delicious) Little Italy, is slammed full of the best Italian restaurants, bakeries, bars, markets, and more. 🇮🇹 In addition, the North End is a perfect place to get lost in the maze of narrow streets. As part of the Freedom Trail, you’ll likely wind through the North End to see its historic sights, such as the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and Hanover Street. So have your camera ready, come hungry, and leave happy!
While you’re in the neighbourhood, don’t miss Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall! 🥧 Located in downtown Boston, Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are just a short walk from the highlights of the North End and feature great shops, food, and performers. Also along the Freedom Trail, they’re an easy spot to visit… you’ll practically run right into them! They’re perfect for shopping, eating, and great photo ops! 🛍
Photo: Sarah B. in Boston for Flytographer. Rosa and family capture memories of their trip at North End Neighbourhood in Boston on a family photoshoot.
7. Castle Island
Have you heard of Castle Island? In 1928, a narrow strip of land was added to connect the 22-acre Castle Island in South Boston to the Boston Harbor shore, thus making Castle Island a peninsula! This is a favourite spot of ours but one that’s not as well-known to many who visit Boston. 🥳
We’re including Castle Island to our list of best places to take photos in Boston because of the terrific views of Boston Harbor and Logan Airport, where you can watch planes taking off and landing. 🛫 In addition to the historic sights, Castle Island features walkways that are wide and open, with entertainment for all ages, including beaches, a playground, benches, lawns, and picnic tables to enjoy the views during your time here.
Photo: Eva in Boston for Flytographer. Michael and partner capture memories of their engagement at Castle Island in Boston on a surprise proposal photoshoot.
8. Boston Public Garden
As previously mentioned, Boston Public Garden is the neighbour adjacent to Boston Common. Boston Public Garden is more ornamental with lush greenery, winding paths, fountains, statues, and even a pond with swan boat rides (these boats are seasonal, however)! 🦢 Boston Public Garden is free and open daily. It’s a perfect place to take elegant, romantic photos in Boston, while still capturing an incredible view of the city in all directions. Boston Public Garden is one of our most Instagrammable places in the city! 🤳
Photo: Lyndsay in Boston for Flytographer. Jaime and family capture memories of their trip at Boston Public Gardens in Boston on a family photoshoot.
9. Charlestown
Charlestown is a waterfront neighbourhood in Boston—in fact, it’s the oldest Boston neighbourhood! Charlestown is found at the end of the Freedom Trail and is the site of both the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill monuments. Known as a neighbourhood with Irish-American roots, Charlestown is also filled with brownstones and cheerfully-painted pastel houses. Offering countless sneak peeks and beautiful views of the Boston city skyline, Charlestown is one of our top destinations for places to take photos in Boston. 💯
Photo: Meghan in Boston for Flytographer. Michelle and family capture memories of their trip on a custom route in Boston on a family photoshoot.
10. Fenway
The word Fenway is synonymous with Boston, isn’t it? Fenway Park is not only home to the world-famous Boston Red Sox, it’s also located in the Fenway-Kenmore neighbourhood. 🏟 As a major neighbourhood for students and twenty-somethings, Fenway is lively, energetic, and awesomely Instagrammable. If you’re itching for photos in Boston that feel different than the average tourist-snap, Fenway is a great photo destination. 🧢
Hot tip: Be sure to check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—built to emulate a 15th-century Venetian palace, you can imagine just how lovely this museum is. Housing European, Asian, and American art, including paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and more, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a favourite of ours. 🖼 For the mystery buffs out there, the museum may sound familiar, because in 1990 thirteen pieces of art were stolen—valued at $500 million, and none have ever been recovered. 🕵️♀️
Photo: Eva in Boston for Flytographer. Kara and partner capture memories of their babymoon at BU Bridge & Fenway in Boston on a couples photoshoot.
Capturing Memories in Boston
Okay, one more thing. A neighbourhood we didn’t touch on but also really love is Cambridge. About 20 minutes from downtown Boston, Cambridge is home to MIT, Harvard University, Harvard Square, and more. 👨🏫 Cambridge is a great addition to your Boston itinerary and another awesome spot to take photos in Boston!
As one of New England’s most historically significant cities, Boston, Massachusetts, has tons to offer for everyone. With some of the most Instagrammable places in the city, we hope we’ve helped confirm some familiar photo spots and inspired new locations to capture while you’re in Boston. Whether you’re a lover of social media or prefer to keep your photos on the private side, don’t miss the incredible photo opportunities Boston provides! ❣️
We can’t wait to see what you capture in Boston! 👏
“We absolutely loved Sam. She was so friendly and fun to work with. She was patient with my kiddos and gave us some great info about the historic area, Beacon Hill, that we were in as well as places to visit while we were in Boston. She offered to be a resource for me while we were there and welcomed me to reach out with any questions about the area. She was absolutely wonderful and we love our photos. She listened to what I had to say and embraced my request for some “personality” photos of my kids. I was less concerned with posing and totally welcomed photos of my kids just being themselves. She knew exactly where to go to get the best shots and made it fun for all of us.”
Leanne
“Our shoot with Meghan was such a great experience! Meghan was personable and professional the entire time. She was great with our two-year old daughter, and she made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Meghan was quick to edit our photos, and there are so many we will print because they turned out so well. This is our first experience with Flytographer, but it will not be our last because it was such a positive experience.”
Kristin
“This was my first time ever booking a photo shoot and it could not have gone any better! Sarah is extremely professional and knowledgeable in the field and made sure everything went as intended. She captured every moment perfectly and was a great guide through the entire process! I can obviously tell the passion and commitment she has to being a professional photographer and it shows in the work she does. We love our photos and have shared them will all our friends and family that are left in awe!”
Taras
