How to choose a Boise portrait location
Anne Frank Memorial / Log Cabin
Go for the iconic Boise look with this famous bridge!
The stonework of the memorial itself is perfect for perching, especially in autumn
If you don’t have a particular style in mind for your portraits, I usually recommend starting at the Anne Frank Memorial by the Boise Public Library. There’s so much variety, from the brick backgrounds of the library, rustic logs and ivy of the Log Cabin Literary Center, stonework and benches of the Anne Frank Memorial, the bridge across the river, and quick access to the Greenbelt itself! Walk across the bridge and down to the path at left to shoot at the pretty white stone at the base of the bridge, or make your way out to the river itself.
The amphitheater-like benches of the memorial are great for reclining!
Go ivy league with the rustic side of the Log Cabin Literary Center
Meander down the steps to the flower beds here for the fun geometry of the stonework!
Head across the river and down to the water for the more grungy underside of the bridge (not for arachnophobes)…
Or head straight to the Boise River!
You could even get IN the river…or stay safely dry on the rustic steps of the Log Cabin
Take the bike path under Capitol from the Log Cabin for these great steps and railing
The Greenbelt
Poodle optional!
Beautiful with spring and summer greenery, and also perfect with autumn leaves!
Stretching for miles upon miles along the Boise River, it can be hard to know where to start narrowing down spots with the Greenbelt! One of my very favorites is a short two-minute walk down the Greenbelt from the Anne Frank memorial – with its red wood posts and steps, the river as a background, and trees all around, it always yields gorgeous results. A fallen tree next to the dock-like area is perfect as a perch, too!
Build your own fairytale
Or just hang out in the leaves
Or throw them!
Outdoor Centennial Amphitheater on the BSU campus on the south side of the Boise River is great as well (left), as are the forested areas by the Greenbelt not far from Municipal Park (right)
Another favorite by Municipal Park, with the perfect gap in the fence
Downtown Grunge
Torn down in July 2015 to everyone’s great distress, by which I mean mine!
For such a non-grungy city, Boise definitely has some faux-grunge areas! Unfortunately the city seems to be bent on cleaning up them up lately via demolition or paint jobs. One of my favorite and most-requested spots, a quirky blue window at 8th and River surrounded with fun rusty corrugated metal, was first vandalized and then completely torn down in July 2015. RIP, blue wall. Still, you can always hunt down some grungy spots in our few alleys!
This great green door on an alley by the southeast corner of 6th and Idaho might be an acceptable substitute for my beloved blue door…maybe.
Hop on up for a grungy window seat (Myrtle between 8th and Capitol)! Due warning: the red has been tidily repainted and isn’t quite as fun now.
Become an alleycat on 9th St between Bannock and Idaho
Or pose gracefully on this photogenic metal staircase further down 9th between Idaho and Main!
Downtown Boise, not as grungy
A passageway between 8th and 9th just south of Myrtle leads through the grounds of the Esther Simplot Performing Arts center, and with columns, fountains, and stairs, it provides great architectural backdrops without being too grungy.
Further into town, hop on the escalator up to the 8th St balcony between Idaho and Main for some upper-level fun
The balcony is enclosed during the winter, making it a good place to warm up during holiday sessions
A good place to take cover when it rains, too! Consider the BoDo parking garage stairs for a whimsical look as well.
This vivid orange wall on Jefferson between 8th and 9th adds a great touch of color without being too grungy
And this reading corner by the library at 8th and River is perfect for bookworms!
The Linen District
The Linen Building graffiti has that perfect urban look
You can’t go wrong with the dappled light on the stairs at the Modern Hotel!
Looking for a grungy look a little outside of downtown? Try the Linen District around 14th and Grove! There’s plenty of graffiti and texture right around the Linen Building, along with quite a few fun mosaics, and the Modern Hotel across the street has great stairs and light patterns for a different look.
Keep an eye out for yarn bombers!
You might need a boost up but these funky doors on 14th between Main and Idaho are amazing
Sometimes a simple urban backdrop works best
More locations on Page 3 below!
2 Comments
Love…love your work!! Great blog and awesome photography! I’m an upcoming photographer and would love to follow you around/free help!!
So I was curious about what are some of the places in Meridian, Idaho that would be good for taking pictures. I am 15 almost 16 and love doing photoshoots with my friends. I always find new place to venture too, but I am wondering if you have any recommendations. I have gone to a lot of common places already and want something new that most people haven’t seen. When doing photoshoots I mostly do nicer looks, but sometimes we do more sporty or casual. If you could recommend some places that would be amazing. I’m willing to look in some places of Boise, but lots of my past places have been in that area. With some recommendations, if you are also willing to tell me the time of year they look best that would be great.
Thank you,
Faith Loewen