Atlanta and Charlotte
The journey was short but not without its challenges. Between blown tires and Atlanta’s infamous rush-hour traffic (where "standstill" might as well be the city motto), it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. But here’s the thing: What could’ve been a full-blown logistical nightmare turned into just another day on tour, thanks to the band’s cool-headed professionalism.
They’ve been here before. Within minutes, they had the situation handled—calls to roadside assistance, gear secured, and a backup plan in motion—all without missing a beat. No panic, no ego, just a quiet confidence that comes from years of rolling with the punches on the road. It was a reminder of why I love working with veterans: When chaos strikes, they don’t just survive it; they make it look easy.
for most people, getting a flat tire halfway through a road trip would be a frustrating interruption. For me? It’s an unexpected photo opportunity.
The guys at the repair shop definitely thought I was nuts, snapping pictures around their garage like we’d stopped at some scenic overlook. But there’s something beautiful in these unplanned moments – the way the afternoon light hit the stacked tires, the candid laughter as the band helped with the jack. Tour stories aren’t just made on stage; sometimes they’re waiting in a roadside garage with grease on your hands."
Seeing Atlanta's skyline at 5 PM is a cruel joke - you're still 90 minutes of gridlock away from 'arrived.
The box truck flat tire was a little more intense —a full-on blowout at 70 mph. So thankful nobody was hurt.
Stuck in highway traffic for over an hour—maybe more. Love how Billy is framed in this shot. Wish I could’ve shown the full highway scene, or even gotten out to take some unique roadside photos. But of course, the second he stepped out of the van, traffic started moving again. Classic timing. Sat there forever, then boom
Our run kicked off at the Variety Playhouse, a venue that’s been the heartbeat of Atlanta’s music scene since its 1940 debut as a cinema. After its 1989 conversion to a concert hall, it quickly became hallowed ground – the kind of room where future legends cut their teeth and established acts deliver career-defining nights.
The Variety Playhouse nails what every music venue should be - a space that transforms to fit how you want to experience the show. Up front, the pit thrums with energy, while the sloped theater seating (a holdover from its 1940s cinema days) serves up perfect sightlines without strain. Terraced standing areas flank the sides - the sweet spot for dancing with a view - while balcony offers a bird's-eye perspective of the entire spectacle.
What amazes me is how these zones flow together. During Papadosio's set, I wandered from the pulsing pit to the airy balcony and never lost that connection - the sound remained crisp, the vibe electric. This is a room that remembers its history while serving every kind of fan, proving great design doesn't call attention to itself - it just works.
Mike putting the final touches on his drum setup. Gives you a little peek at the venue layout too. These mixed lighting situations can be tricky to shoot, but I love how the colors turned out - especially how the light hits Mike's face, making him stand out from the scene.
A 'candid' of Jake... though I’m pretty sure he caught me shooting and decided to strike a pose. Love how this one came out—the composition’s clean with those natural leading lines, and the stage lights hit him just right. Looks almost like I used a flash
Possibly the narrowest venue hallway I've ever seen - had to turn sideways just to squeeze through with my gear. Pretty sure the guys are used to me lurking in these awkward spots by now, waiting to catch that perfect walk-through shot. (One I've definitely taken...a few hundred times.
Love the composition here—every corner of the frame tells its own story. The can, the carpet’s texture, the rough concrete, and Mike quietly working out drum rhythms on his leg. Simple, but full of little moments
Another attempt at those layered compositions I'm obsessed with capturing. This one's close... but not quite there yet. The hunt continues
The hallway again.
Still getting the hang of shooting lasers - these last few shows have been my trial runs. But this one? Definitely my best attempt yet. Slowly figuring it out!
I’ve been chasing this shot for ages—but usually, when the light hits someone in the crowd, they just look blinded. This time? Magic. That beam isolates them perfectly, like they’re the only two people in the room... even as chaos erupts around them. Love how concert lights can turn a crowd into a private moment.
Love how cinematic this shot feels—the suspended drumsticks, the electric glow of the crowd, those perfect reddish-pink accents tying everything together. One of those frames where every element just works.
I knew I had something good here if I just got some kind of gesture from Anthony. I really like how the light is creating a rim light effect, separating him from the background, and Billy’s silhouette brings even more depth to the photo
This might be my favorite shot from the night. That rare moment of perfect balance in a chaotic concert setting – where moving subjects and ever-changing light somehow align into minimalist magic. If I could tweak one thing? Just a hair more space at the bottom to let the guitar breathe. But when the universe gives you frames like this, you don’t complain.
That magical moment when a photo just works - cinematic softness meets razor-sharp detail. Not easy to pull off, but so worth it when it happens.
A little shutter drag experimentation. Playing with motion and light to see what kind of energy I can capture
I’ve shot this moment at every single show. The secret? The closer I get with the fisheye, the wilder it looks—that outstretched hand warps into something unreal. Never gets old.
This moment between Mike and these young fans is everything—their pure excitement at getting drumsticks and setlists is priceless. But the best part? Being able to send this photo to their parents, so they can relive the magic too
Day 2: Blackbox Theater – Where Traffic and Geese Can’t Kill the Vibe
What should’ve been a 4 and a half hour cruise to Charlotte turned into a 6-hour parking lot on I-85. Classic.
This marked my second visit to the no-nonsense Blackbox Theater – a venue that embraces its name with industrial honesty. The surrounding area feels like an urban experiment (watch your step – the local geese mafia runs these streets), but step inside and the magic happens. All those "un-pretty" backstage realities vanish the moment the lights drop.
Dustin’s production transformed the box into a portal: that massive video board and lighting array turned stark walls into a canvas for crisp, almost holographic visuals. There’s something about this room – maybe the angles or the LED saturation – that makes every shot look razor-sharp.
I leaned into video tonight but still grabbed a few stills where the light hit just right. Because when the geese outside are judging your parking skills and traffic tries to murder your morale, the show somehow becomes more vital.
Jon focused on dialing in the sound during soundcheck, while clearly something hilarious was unfolding on stage. Love these unguarded moments where the real show happens off-script.
Any time I can capture a genuine smile on stage? That's an instant keeper. Those unguarded moments are always the best
Solid color tones usually mean I’ll go black and white—but this one kept so much depth. Just another reason to love shooting medium format. That tonal richness
When someone who’s always seated suddenly stands up? Instant spotlight. Love how Billy and Anthony mirror each other here—like they’re moving in sync without even trying.
Another shot with that cinematic vibe I love. Rob's usually tough to photograph given his stage position - I rarely shoot from directly out front. But when he steps over to his amp? That's my golden opportunity.
This photo immediately grabbed me - love how Mike appears solitary against the massive crowd. The only thing that could've made it perfect? If his head was tilted just enough to reveal the silhouette of his hat against the lights. Next time!
