CBMF 2025
f there's one thing I’ll never forget about summer 2025, it’s the pure, electric energy of Cavendish Beach Music Festival and the moment I stepped into the media pit for the very first time. As a photographer, this was a milestone. As a fan of music, it was a dream come true.
CBMF is no small town affair it’s Atlantic Canada's biggest party of the summer. Over the course of three days, country legends and rising stars took the stage, and I had the honour of capturing it all up close. With camera in hand, heart pounding, and boots in the dirt, I documented moments that will stay with me forever.
SHANIA TWAIN — The Legend Herself
Let’s be real when Shania Twain steps on stage, time stops. Seeing her live was surreal enough, but photographing her from the media pit? A once in a lifetime moment. Every movement, every note, every glance to the crowd felt iconic. She’s not just a performer she’s a presence. Watching the crowd scream “Let’s go, girls!” with their whole soul? I had goosebumps. Shania didn’t just headline she owned the weekend.
LAINEY WILSON — The Powerhouse Headliner
Lanky Wilson closed out the festival with the kind of set that shakes you to your core. His gritty vocals, high-energy presence, and heartfelt storytelling made the crowd roar louder with every song. Watching thousands sing back his lyrics as fireworks lit up the sky? Unreal. Standing just feet away from him in the pit, I knew I was witnessing a CBMF moment that fans would talk about for years.
TYLER HUBBARD — Country Royalty Goes Solo
Tyler Hubbard, best known as half of Florida Georgia Line, brought serious heat to the stage. His solo set was a perfect blend of new material and nostalgic FGL anthems. His charisma lit up the crowd, and capturing that through my lens felt like photographing country royalty reborn.
JOSH ROSS — A Star on the Rise
Josh Ross owned the stage with confidence and charm. His voice is smooth, emotional, and distinctly Canadian something about hearing it live on PEI soil felt right. His performance was intimate but explosive, and photographing his connection with fans was something special.
BRYAN MARTIN — Grit & Authenticity
With a voice like gravel soaked in honey, Bryan Martin delivered a set that felt like a southern campfire singalong on steroids. His authenticity translated beautifully on stage and through the lens. He sang from the soul and the crowd knew it.
STEPHEN WILSON JR. — Raw, Real & Unforgettable
Stephen Wilson Jr. brought a gritty edge to the lineup. His performance was haunting and raw in the best way possible the kind that commands silence and attention. I captured him mid-note, sweat-drenched and eyes closed, and I knew I had something magical in my camera roll.
MEGHAN PATRICK — Fierce & Fearless
Canada’s very own Meghan Patrick lit up the stage with her fierce vocals and unapologetic presence. She’s a firecracker in fringe, and her energy is contagious. As a female artist carving her space in country, her performance felt empowering to witness and empowering to shoot.
WYATT FLORES — The Heart of Honky-Tonk
Wyatt Flores brought that down-home, honky-tonk soul to the festival. His laid-back vibe and feel-good melodies had the crowd swaying and stomping in unison. Through my lens, I captured moments that felt like snapshots from a Tennessee porch session just with a few thousand extra people.
WAYLON WYATT — Country’s Next Big Voice
Waylon Wyatt took the stage and proved that traditional country roots still run strong. His deep, soulful voice and humble charm made the crowd lean in and listen. I captured a few candid moments where it was just him and his guitar and honestly, those shots feel like country album covers waiting to happen.
BANKER BLANKENSHIP — The One to Watch
Banker Blankenship might be a newer name to some, but his set proved he won’t stay under the radar for long. His lyrics cut deep, and his stage presence commanded attention. Photographing someone right before their big break? There’s nothing like it.
Behind the Lens: My First Media Pit Experience
This was more than just another gig CBMF 2025 was my first time shooting from the media pit, and I felt everything. The rush. The pressure. The passion. There’s a thrill to being just feet away from the artists, capturing raw emotion, sweat, lights, and that magical connection between performer and crowd.
It wasn’t just about taking photos. It was about telling a story through silhouettes in stage lights, and the unfiltered joy of country fans living their best life by the sea.
From muddy boots to memory cards filled with gold, I left the island sunburned, sleep deprived, and totally inspired.
And I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
