Boise Residents Documented City Growth With PhotoGrid
Launched in early 2025, the project tracks urban change through a grid-based photography initiative.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Geography
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John Francis launched the Boise PhotoGrid project in early 2025 to capture the rapid development of the city. Fourteen local photographers are documenting Boise by systematically photographing 42 designated geographic squares.
Why it matters
This initiative provides a visual archive of Boise's expansion for future generations to study. By systematically recording the landscape, the group creates a comprehensive record of how the city transforms over time.
The project utilizes 14 photographers to systematically capture 42 distinct geographic grids across Boise. As of September 2026, the team is currently documenting the 20th grid location.
The players
John Francis
John Francis is the founder of the Boise PhotoGrid who initiated the project to document urban growth.
Boise PhotoGrid
Boise PhotoGrid is a local photography collective dedicated to capturing the changing landscape of the city.
The details
Inspired by the 2024 Portland Grid Project, participants randomly select one grid each month to photograph. The photographers then meet monthly to review their collective work and ensure the entire city is covered effectively.
Timeline
The project inspiration originated in 2024.
The Boise PhotoGrid project officially began in early 2025.
The group is photographing the 20th grid as of September 2026.
The Big Picture
The project follows a structural model established by the Portland Grid Project to maintain consistent documentation. This systematic approach allows participants to standardize visual data collection across disparate geographic areas.
This project creates an accessible, historical timeline of urban growth that local residents can use to visualize neighborhood changes. The archive offers a concrete resource for understanding how city planning and population spikes alter the physical character of the area.
The takeaway
Systematic photography projects offer a unique way for communities to track urban evolution through a structured lens. Interested photographers can participate by contributing to the monthly grid-selection and review process.
Further reading
Learn more about the local landscape and spatial changes in Boise.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Arbiter.
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