Brooks Payne (@brooksbos) header
Brooks Payne (@brooksbos) profile picture

Top Google Photographer + Commercial/Creative Photographer for Getty Images. Hiking & Photography.

Boston, MA
Joined July 2009
Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)Photo by Brooks Payne (@brooksbos)
Boston, one of the world's most beautiful and historic cities, is stunning with the vibrant colors of autumn in our Public Garden and Common! Our sporting Charles River can be seen in the distance, host to the world's biggest 3-day rowing regatta, the Head of the Charles! Here's my aerial footage from two days ago, shared in celebration of Election Day 2026!๐Ÿ˜€โœจ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ฏ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Two days ago, I cycled along the Charles River to Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge/Watertown to soak in and photograph the peak vibrant autumnal foliage! The dedicated landscaping and horticultural team caring for this luxurious garden cemetery was working with meticulous attention to keep the lush space in perfect harmony. I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to them, as this is where I come to visit my Mom and Dad, who are resting here in eternal peace. ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ๐ŸŒฟโ˜€๏ธโœจโœ๏ธ๐Ÿชฝ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿšตโ€โ™‚๏ธโ›ช๏ธ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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I cycled along the Charles River to Mount Auburn Cemetery to take in the incredible autumnal foliage and visit the Peace Angel! The landscaping and horticulture team maintain this renowned garden cemetery in perfect harmony, keeping it pristine and earning it the title of a true "Heaven on Earth." I always visit with my Mom and Dad, who rest in peace here in the Story Chapel. ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿชฝ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒฟโ˜€๏ธโœจโœ๏ธ๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿšตโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Yesterday afternoon was ideal on the river for the final day of the 3-day Head of the Charles (HOCR). I captured the Boston University Women's Lightweight Fours gliding powerfully past in Race 63! ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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This afternoon, I biked across the Mass Ave Bridge and along the Cambridge side of the Charles River to watch and photograph the Head of the Charles Regatta as crews lined up at the basin for the start. Despite the cold and windy weather, it was exhilarating to feel the energy and spirit of the rowers and spectators! ๐Ÿ˜€โœจ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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I met BU Rowing cox Declan Boyles yesterday while taking photos at Goose Park. Heโ€™s a very nice young man, and I wish him the best! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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The last race of the 2026 Head of the Charles Regatta was the Directors' Challenge Mixed Eights at 4:30 PM. My video features the Riverside Boat Clubโ€™s โ€œGreat 8โ€ at the starting line, with rowers ranging in age from 45 to 66. They came in 5th place out of 35 entries. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Around noon today, while cycling from my Boston home along the Cambridge side of the Charles River, I met a wonderful group of people getting their boat ready at the Riverside Boat Club. They are the Minerva Rowing Club Eights from the Netherlands, competing in The Head Of The Charles Regatta (HOCR) this Sunday afternoon, October 18, 2026. They were wonderfully generous with their time and gracious in answering all my questions. I truly appreciate their kindness and wish them the best of luck in their competition! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ†โœจ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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The Minerva Rowing Club will compete in Event #69 Men's Championship Eights (M CHAMP 8+) tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:20 PM. (*Event times, if listed, are tentative and subject to change) Best wishes! ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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This morning, I cycled to Boston University's DeWolfe Boathouse to capture videos and photos of the Head of the Charles (HOCR) crews practicing in the Charles River basin. The three-mile course starts right here among colored buoys marking the channels. I stayed from 11:30 AM until almost 3 PM and am sharing four video clips that capture what I experienced. It was a gorgeous sunny day, but Iโ€™m feeling pretty worn out from all the cycling and adventures. Still, itโ€™s a good kind of tired. Kudos and best wishes to all participants and volunteers! ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธโœจ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Crews row by the Riverside Boat Club below, getting in some practice for the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR), which kicks off this Friday. ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ™
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One of the most stunning spots on Earth can be found right here in Cambridge and Watertown: the serene and historic Mount Auburn Cemetery. I always visit my Mom and Dad, who are resting in peace in the Story Chapel. This is Auburn Lake, which I captured in autumnal colors today.โœจ๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿšตโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Yet another beguiling view, including the Story Chapel. โœจ๐Ÿ™
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I spent a fantastic, perfect day cycling around the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge, watching various Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) activities! Here, two Eights practice with coaches while a lone kayaker glides by me. The 2026 Menโ€™s Championship Eight field features elite crews from top universities, national teams, and international programs, with Cambridge University and Holland Acht among the standout contenders. The 61st Head of the Charles Regatta will run October 16โ€“18, 2026, on the Charles River in Cambridge, MA, with the Menโ€™s Championship Eight race starting at 3:20โ€ฏPM EST on Sunday. This is the premier menโ€™s eight event, drawing the fastest crews from around the world! The HOCR is the World's largest 3-day Regatta, drawing hundreds of thousands to the banks and waters of one of the world's most beautiful rivers! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ†๐ŸŒŽ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿšฃโœจ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™
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A solo rower glides past the Head of the Charles Regatta, taking place October 16-18, 2026, as the Cambridge Boat Club celebrates its Charles River legacy since 1909! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™
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The Head of the Charles Regatta starting line is at the BU DeWolfe Boathouse, located on the right bank of the Charles River on the Cambridge side. Just beyond, the Boston University Bridge is one of only three spots in the world where a boat can sail under a train, the train runs under a car, and the car drives under an airplane! The World's largest 3-day rowing competition is only 4 days away, Oct. 16-18, 2026! This is my photo from 2 days ago; the autumnal foliage has arrived! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Iโ€™ve volunteered as a professional photographer for decades, and yesterday I captured a stunning 360-degree aerial video panorama of the beautiful Charles River, showcasing Boston and Cambridge. The wonderful greenery and bike paths are courtesy of our Commonwealth's Department of Recreation & Conservation. I don't own a car; if I can't bike to a place, I simply don't go, and I'm 81 years old. Since its origin in 1965, the Head Of The Charlesยฎ Regatta (HOCR) has welcomed the worldโ€™s best crew teams to the banks of the Charles River for the ultimate three-day rowing competition! The HOCR will be held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, OCT. 16-18, 2026. โœจ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿšตโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒฒ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿšฃโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿšฃ๐Ÿšฃโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Boston, known as the "City on the Hill," was famously described by John Winthrop in his 1630 sermon, "A Model of Christian Charity." His sermon emphasized moral responsibility and the need to uphold a covenant with God. Matthew 5:14๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธโœจ๐Ÿ™‡โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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Beautiful city plaza and people! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿ™
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