november 26,2025
A look behind the scenes of the Rebel Grace tour Summer 2025. See how this Milwaukee editorial photographer used a Jim Marshall-inspired aesthetic to capture the raw energy of live music in Wisconsin. idea.
There is a distinct energy that comes with live music. A chaotic, beautiful rhythm that you can’t quite replicate in a studio. During the summer of 2025, I traded the quiet of the editing room to become part of the "traveling circus" known as Rebel Grace.
This week’s featured image comes from a show early in the run, located in a town I had honestly never heard of before pulling into the venue: Boltonville, WI. While much of my work as a Milwaukee editorial photographer takes place in the city's urban landscape, there is a raw, electric magic to these rural Wisconsin shows that demands a specific visual approach.
The Inspiration: Channeling Jim Marshall
When I looked through my viewfinder in Boltonville, I wasn’t just thinking about digital sharpness. I was thinking about the legends. One of my biggest influences is Jim Marshall, the iconic photographer who documented the explosion of rock 'n' roll in the 60s and 70s. Marshall famously used a Leica M4 to capture everyone from Hendrix to The Stones, creating images that felt intimate, dangerous, and real.
For this specific shot, I wanted to pay homage to that golden era of music journalism.
In a world where modern digital photography can sometimes feel too polished or "clean," I wanted this image to feel like a memory. I edited this photograph to emulate the look of Kodak Tri-X 400 film—the same stock Marshall would have pushed to its limits in dark backstage rooms.
Why Editorial Style Matters
You can see the high contrast, the deliberate grain, and the timeless black-and-white tonality. This isn't just a concert photo; it’s an editorial portrait of a moment in time.
Whether I am working as a Milwaukee portrait photographer for a family session or capturing a lead singer mid-note, the goal remains the same: storytelling. It’s about stripping away the pretense and finding the soul of the subject. This image from the Rebel Grace tour is a testament to the power of documentary photography—freezing a split second of passion that will never happen exactly the same way again.
I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the Summer of 2025. It was a season of loud music, new friends, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect shot.