You’ve seen the shot a thousand times. Every October, or sometimes right before the playoffs, the lights in the Auerbach Center or the TD Garden get cranked up, and the entire roster lines up in those iconic home whites. It’s the Boston Celtics team photo, a tradition that feels as permanent as the parquet floor itself. But if you actually look at these images over the last few years—from the 2024 championship squad back to the grit-and-grind era of Marcus Smart—the photo is way more than just a PR requirement. It’s a snapshot of the team’s soul at a specific moment in time.
Honestly, team photos are usually boring. Most people scroll past them to get to the highlights. But for a franchise with 18 banners, the positioning matters. Who is sitting next to Joe Mazzulla? Who is standing in the back row looking like they’d rather be literally anywhere else? The 2023-24 photo, for instance, captured a group that looked eerily calm, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the Ime Udoka transition or the "will-they-won't-they" chemistry issues of the Kyrie Irving years.
The Anatomy of a Modern Boston Celtics Team Photo
When the shutter clicks, the hierarchy is on full display. In the most recent championship-winning Boston Celtics team photo, you see the "Blue Chips" front and center. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown usually anchor the middle. This isn't an accident. The team’s media relations staff and photographers like Brian Babineau—who has been capturing the C's for decades—meticulously arrange these guys.
It’s about visual balance. You put the bigs in the back because, well, Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis are massive human beings. If they sat in the front row, you wouldn't see the coaches.
But there’s a psychological layer here too.
Look at the 2024 photo again. Notice the spacing. There’s a certain level of comfort among the guys that didn't exist three years ago. When you have a roster that finally "clicked" after years of Eastern Conference Finals heartbreak, the body language changes. Tatum’s posture is different. Brown looks more settled. Even the bench guys, the "Stay Ready" crew like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, carry themselves with a specific kind of confidence that reflects their role in the rotation. It’s a literal image of a cohesive unit.
Why Media Day is the Best Time for the Shot
Most of the time, the official Boston Celtics team photo happens on Media Day. This is the one day of the year where everyone is guaranteed to be in the building, healthy, and wearing the correct jersey. It's also the day where the vibes are at an all-time high. Everyone is 0-0. Nobody is complaining about minutes yet.
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Think about the 2022-23 photo. That was a weird one. The team was dealing with the sudden suspension of Udoka and the elevation of Joe Mazzulla. If you look closely at the media day assets from that year, you can almost feel the "what happens now?" energy. The smiles were a bit more forced. By the time the 2024 photo rolled around, that tension was gone, replaced by the steely resolve of a team that knew they were the best in the league.
Historic Comparisons: 1986 vs. 2024
If you want to understand the weight of a Boston Celtics team photo, you have to compare the modern era to the legends. Go back and find the 1986 team photo. Larry Bird is there, looking typically unimpressed by the pageantry. Kevin McHale and Robert Parish are towering behind him. That photo screams "we are going to beat you and then tell you exactly how we did it."
The 2024 squad’s photo has a different vibe. It’s more "positionless." While the '86 photo felt like a rigid collection of specialized stars, the current era reflects the modern NBA. The guys are leaner. The tattoos are more prominent. The sneakers are louder. But the common thread is the "Celtics Pride" that Red Auerbach hammered into the floorboards.
- The 1986 photo features short shorts and high socks.
- The 2008 photo (the Big Three era) shows Kevin Garnett's intense, borderline terrifying game face.
- The 2024 photo shows a group of guys who grew up together in the playoff trenches.
What the Photographer Sees
Brian Babineau has a tough job. Imagine trying to get 15 multi-millionaires, a coaching staff, and front-office executives to all look at the same lens at the same time. Usually, there's a lot of chirping. Luke Kornet is probably making a joke. Derrick White is likely being the most professional person in the room.
The lighting has to be perfect. The Celtics use high-key lighting to make those white jerseys pop against the green backdrop. If it’s shot at the practice facility, they use the natural light coming through the massive windows, mixed with professional strobes. This gives the Boston Celtics team photo that crisp, "prestige" look that fits a team with 18 titles.
The Missing Faces
Sometimes the most interesting thing about a team photo is who isn't in it. Mid-season trades can make an October photo look like an alternate reality. Remember the photos with Marcus Smart? It still feels wrong to see a Celtics team picture without No. 36 diving for a loose ball in the background. Or the photos from the Isaiah Thomas era, where the height difference between him and the rest of the roster made for some of the most endearing images in franchise history.
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How to Find High-Resolution Versions
If you’re a fan looking for a high-res Boston Celtics team photo for your desktop or a man cave print, you have a few options. The official Celtics website usually hosts a "Media" or "Gallery" section. However, the best stuff is often found through Getty Images or the Associated Press, though you usually have to pay for those licenses.
For the casual fan, the Celtics' social media channels (Instagram and X) are the gold mine. They often release "behind-the-scenes" looks at the photo shoot, which are honestly better than the final product. You get to see the bloopers. You see Jaylen Brown fixing his jersey or Jayson Tatum laughing with Deuce. That’s where the "human" side of the team really lives.
Why You Should Care About the 2024-25 Photo
The upcoming Boston Celtics team photo for the 2024-25 season is going to be a collector’s item. Why? Because they’ll likely be wearing the championship patch on their jerseys (or at least posing with the Larry O'Brien trophy in some versions). There is a specific glow that comes with being the defending champs.
When you look at that photo, look at Al Horford. He’s the elder statesman. His position in the photo is usually near the center or anchoring a side, acting as the bridge between the young stars and the coaching staff. He is the glue.
Common Misconceptions About the Shoot
People think these photos take hours. They don't. These guys have zero patience for standing still. The actual "team photo" part of Media Day usually lasts about 15 to 20 minutes tops. The photographer has a very narrow window to get the shot before someone starts dribbling a ball or walks off to do a radio interview.
Another misconception is that it’s all one shot. It’s usually a composite or a series of dozens of bursts. The photographer will take 50 shots and then use post-production to make sure everyone’s eyes are open. With 15+ players, the odds of someone blinking are basically 100%.
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Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to do something with these images, don't just save a low-res thumbnail from Google Images. It'll look grainy and terrible if you try to print it.
- Check the Official NBA Newsroom: They often provide high-resolution assets for press use that are much higher quality than what you find on fan blogs.
- Look for the Anniversary Editions: Every few years, the Celtics do "legacy" photos where they bring back alumni. These are the holy grail for collectors.
- Digital Archiving: If you're a die-hard, start a folder on your drive for every year's photo. It’s a fascinating way to watch the evolution of NBA fashion, fitness, and roster construction.
- Social Media Scavenging: Follow the team's official photographer on Instagram. Sometimes they post the "B-sides" that didn't make the official cut, and those are often the most candid and authentic.
The Boston Celtics team photo isn't just a piece of marketing. It's a historical document. Ten years from now, we’ll look back at the 2024 photo and remember exactly where we were when the C's finally hung Banner 18. We'll see how young the Jays looked. We'll remember the impact of Porziņģis. And we'll see a team that, for one moment, was perfectly in sync.
The next time you see the roster lined up, don't just look for your favorite player. Look at the way they stand together. In a sport defined by individual stats and trade rumors, the team photo is the one time everything is about the collective. It's the only time the names on the front of the jersey truly outweigh the names on the back.
Keep an eye on the official team feeds during the first week of October. That's when the next chapter of Celtics history gets its first official portrait. Whether they're defending a title or chasing a new one, that image will be the baseline for everything that follows in the season. Look for the small details—the handshakes, the smiles, and the placement of the veterans. That's where the real story is told.
Next Steps for Fans:
Start by visiting the official Celtics website's "History" section to compare the 2024 championship photo with the 2008 and 1986 versions. Pay close attention to the coaching staff's positioning relative to the players; it often signals the internal team culture of that specific era. If you're looking for a physical copy, wait for the official "Season Review" books or programs sold at the TD Garden Pro Shop, as these contain the highest-quality lithographs available to the public.