BobbyShakes

Concert, culture and sports photographer. Bristol-born, Jamaican roots, Boston-based. In the pit since 1996, with more than 10,000 shows and 500 artists documented and over a billion image impressions.

Dancehall artist Kranium performs at The Grand in Boston in 2026, microphone raised into orange stage light, photographed by Bobby Shakes
Kranium, live at The Grand, Boston, 2026.

Selected artists

The work

Reggae and dancehall. The New England scene, from arena headliners to Island Saturdays at Alchemy in Providence, the longest-running dancehall night in the region, shot every weekend.

Soca and Carnival. The Boston Caribbean Carnival and J'ouvert each August, plus the mas bands, soca collectives and promoters that keep the culture moving year-round.

Sports. Every Red Sox World Series since 2004. Ringside at Lomachenko vs. Ortiz, Madison Square Garden, 2022.

Fashion and brands. Official photographer for the Ed Hardy fashion show at Mantra, Boston, in 2009, and brand work for Ed Hardy and Handsome Boy clothing from 2006 to 2011, before Instagram existed.

Black-and-white photo of models backstage at the Ed Hardy fashion show at Mantra, Boston, 2009: one fans herself with a feather fan while another sticks out her tongue, drink in hand Black-and-white photo of a stylist trimming a model's hair backstage at the Ed Hardy fashion show at Mantra, Boston, 2009
Backstage, Ed Hardy fashion show, Mantra, Boston, 2009.

Published in

The Boston Globe, New York Post, Boston magazine and The Bay State Banner.

Vogue Knitting, Skope Magazine, High Times and Skunk Magazine.

Record

Now
Host, #SHAKESCITYUNCUT, live Mondays 9PM ET on YouTube
2025
Boston Caribbean American Association Award
2021
Listing photographs of a Jamaica Plain condo's open-concept bathroom, shot for Boston Trust Realty Group, went viral and ran in Boston magazine, The Boston Globe, CBS and Fox Business, among others
2017
Photographs in High Times, "Would You Smoke Out Of This Million Dollar Pipe?", on Kevin Murray's glass skeleton at Milked, Watertown
2009
Official photographer, Ed Hardy fashion show, Mantra, Boston
2008–2011
Brand influencer and photographer for the Ed Hardy store on Newbury Street, Boston, from its opening
2006–2008
Brand influencer for Handsome Boy clothing, before Instagram existed
2000
Assistant sound engineer, Hangmen 3, No Skits Vol. 1 (The Source Sound Labs)
1998
Founded bobbyshakes.com, one of the first reggae platforms online, while doing street team and promotions for The Source Magazine and JAM'N 94.5 FM
1996
First show in the pit

Ventures

bobbyshakes.com is the reggae and dancehall culture hub, online since 1998. FLYAHS is a curated event board for the scene. The professional portfolio lives at orettrobinson.com.

Training

Associate degree in sound engineering, Massachusetts College of Communication. Graphic arts, Don Bosco Technical High School.

Work with me

Available for tour and press photography, artist campaigns, brand activations and licensing from a 30-year archive.

bobby@bobbyshakes.com