Behind the Lens at Homegrown Summer Jam 2026

Photographing Savannah’s Original Music Community at Victory North

Music has always been part of my creative journey. Long before photography became my profession, it was the rhythm, storytelling, and emotion of music that inspired me. As a songwriter and musician, I have always believed that a great song is more than sound. It is a moment, a memory, and a connection between people.

That is what made photographing Homegrown Summer Jam 2026 at Victory North such a meaningful experience. The annual celebration of Savannah’s original music community brought together musicians, songwriters, and fans for an evening centered around creativity, collaboration, and the shared experience of live performance. Through my lens, I had the opportunity to document performances by Eric Britt & Family, The Accomplices, and The Train Wrecks as they celebrated the songs and friendships that have helped shape Savannah’s music scene.

More Than a Concert

Homegrown Summer Jam represents something special about Savannah. This city has always attracted artists, storytellers, and musicians who create because they have something to say. The music community here is built not only on talent, but on relationships. For me, the most powerful moments were often found between the songs.

A musician sharing a glance with another band member.

An audience member completely absorbed in a performance.

Friends reconnecting after years apart.

Those small moments reveal the heart behind live music.

Photography has always been about preserving those fleeting experiences. A concert may last only a few hours, but a photograph can allow that feeling to return years later.

Capturing the Reunion of The Accomplices and The Train Wrecks

The 2026 Homegrown Summer Jam was especially memorable because it brought together two beloved Savannah bands that helped shape the city’s original music community.

The Accomplices returned to the stage with Matt Eckstine, Zach Smith, Colleen Heine, and Stan Ray, blending folk, blues, country, bluegrass, soul, and jazz influences into their distinctive Lowcountry sound.

The Train Wrecks reunited with Jason Bible, Eric Dunn, Stuart Harmening, and Markus Kuhlmann, bringing back the energy and chemistry that longtime fans remembered.

Photographing these performances was about more than documenting musicians on a stage. It was about capturing history, friendship, and the continuation of a creative tradition.

A Photographer and Musician’s Perspective

Being both a photographer and songwriter gives me a unique appreciation for live performance. As a musician, I understand the vulnerability of stepping onto a stage and sharing something personal. As a photographer, I look for the moments where that emotion becomes visible.

The expression before a lyric is sung.

The intensity of a musician lost in a melody.

The connection between performer and audience.

Those are the moments I search for.

Preserving Savannah’s Creative Story

One of the reasons I created Savannah Proper was to celebrate the people, places, and stories that make this city unique. Homegrown Summer Jam represents exactly the type of story worth preserving. It is a reminder that culture is not only found in historic buildings, beautiful landscapes, and traditions passed down through generations. Culture is also created in real time by the people who continue to make something meaningful. Savannah’s music scene continues to evolve because musicians continue to write, perform, and support one another. I am grateful to have documented a small part of that story.

View the Complete Homegrown Summer Jam 2026 Photography Collection

The complete collection of concert photography from Homegrown Summer Jam 2026 is available through Maring Visuals.

For more stories about Savannah’s creative community, visit Savannah Proper.