Sunsets + Stagelights: 2025 Summer Tour with Buffalo Rose
Buffalo Rose is a dynamic modern americana band whose rich + soulful sound, and vivid live presence, have drawn fans all across the Northeast. I had the privilege of photographing them for a previous album-cover photoshoot (soon to be released!!!!), where I captured their electric energy and tight-knit group dynamic in a photography studio. On this tour, I stepped into new territory and captured them in action, live on stage, and behind the scenes in the van as their +1 while we traveled from Pittsburgh the whole way to Canada.
The entire trip was a whirlwind of color, light, and connection, and exactly the kind of work that reminds me why I love being a photographer capturing vibrant portraiture and live events. This experience was the perfect combo of both. Working with Buffalo Rose was nothing less than a dream come true and I can’t wait to hit the road with them again come November.
Here is a little recap of the epic trip!
KDKA Talk Show Debut – “Women Who Rock” Promo (Monday, July 14th)
Our adventure kicked off in Pittsburgh, where the band performed their soaring single “Solid Ground” live on KDKA Talk Pittsburgh to promote the upcoming Women Who Rock showcase at Stage AE on September 5th. Jessica Simpson headlines the event, which raises funds for Magee-Womens Hospital research and celebrates female talent. As someone who had never been inside a television studio, I was thrilled by the fast-paced energy of the production with camera crew, countdowns, and mic checks filling the space. Here is a link to their segment!
Festival on the Green – Middlebury, VT (Friday, July 18)
Straight from Pittsburgh, we drove to Middlebury, Vermont, for the Festival on the Green. We stayed at the charming Middlebury Inn, which is housed in an elegant old mansion right next to the performance setup. Middlebury’s historic college town vibe with New England architecture and tree-lined streets created a uniquely scenic stage. It was my first opportunity to photograph the band performing live, and daylight fading into golden-hour glow under the festival tent gave the shots a warm magical quality.
Wedding Performance – Middlebury, VT (Saturday, July 19)
On Saturday, Buffalo Rose played at a lovely wedding on a private field beside a mid-century modern house where we also lodged later in the trip. The band wore bright pink, adding a joyful pop of color, and performed upbeat cover songs that got everyone dancing. Unfortunately, I ate shit while we were packing up the van and twisted my ankle. On the plus side, I was able to stretch out in the back of the van as we drove into Canada that night.
Stewart Park Festival – Perth, Ontario (Sunday, July 20)
Next stop - Perth, Ontario for Stewart Park Festival. Buffalo Rose played two sets that day: one on the main stage and another at Perth Brewery’s Crystal Palace. The town is ridiculously charming, and the people could not have been kinder.
Something clicked during that day… A few festival-goers started asking about lil ol’ me and my photography, and I realized how lucky I am to do this for a living. That night we celebrated with a motel pool hangout and a pizza party, which was a fun nod to the band’s song “Pool Party.”
Club Passim – Boston, MA (Tuesday, July 22)
Tuesday night in Boston meant a stop at the iconic Club Passim. The venue is small but legendary, and the vibe was unmatched. The band’s friend Chris Sartori made a surprise guest appearance, handing off the bass with Jason mid-set, and the crowd went wild.
With no natural light and only the moody glow of stage bulbs and string lights, I got creative with angles and composition. Some of my favorite shots of the whole trip came from shooting through the strands of lights around the stage and from outside through the window.
Bandstand Performance – Middlesex, VT (Wednesday, July 23)
On Wednesday we wrapped up the first leg of the trip in Middlesex, Vermont, performing at the town’s historic bandstand. With rolling mountains in the background and the sun setting behind the stage, I embraced unusual vantage points like low angles. I really loved how the pattern of the wood on top of the gazebo photographed.
Second Leg – Lake Orion, MI (Wednesday, July 30)
After a brief break, the tour resumed in late July. The first stop was Lake Orion, Michigan. Although the planned outdoor set was moved indoors, the venue at 20 Front Street had a cool industrial charm and warm glowy lights. The tight space and high-energy set inspired more playful compositions. My favorite moment was Shane doing a dramatic scoot on his back across the stage during “Green Light.”
The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI (Thursday, July 31)
Our final stop of this stretch was the legendary Ark in Ann Arbor, a venue that has hosted everyone from (my favorite) The Avett Brothers to John Prine. The show ended with an unplugged sing-along in the middle of the room, surrounded by fans who had followed the band from the previous night. It was intimate and the perfect way to close out the run.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with Buffalo Rose was a highlight of my career. Overall, I had a lot of fun flexing my creative brain and utilizing my photography skills in an entirely new way. It was refreshing to have a project that existed outside of my comfort zone, and to be constantly surrounded by people who believed in my skills + encouraged me to have as much fun as possible.
I’m feeling like I left this experience with a bazillion stunning/strong/portfolio-worthy images, but more importantly, 6 new friends!