Virginia City, Montana - 2026
10 years on from the first time a wolf walked the walk in a final frontier bar in Montana, another one came along - a big black one. The Pioneer Bar in Virginia City is timeless and not much has changed over those years - least of all the clientele. It is the epicentre of a community where the population in the winter months falls to a mere 97. All western archetypes refuel in The Pioneer, and there is little in the way of cultural refinement. The vibe is earthy but immediately energizing. There is no bar in the world that plays better to the lore of the American West and that’s why I keep returning. There is now even a little museum of my work across the road that is lovingly cared for by our friends Rozy and Stacy. Both have spent a good percentage of their lives in the Pioneer and it was only right that Rozy resumed his position behind the bar for this reenactment of an old classic. I feel very much in command of my set here and that makes tricky photographs like this easier. Most importantly, I know that there is just enough ambient light from the windows behind my camera to roll with what we have and it really does make all the difference. LED panel lighting has its merits, but there is no need to use them at the Pioneer; the windows are generously big. It’s the small things that elevate this bar - the wagon wheels on the ceiling and The Montana Beer sign - which now finally works - locate where we are. No wonder Taylor Sheridan’s production crew made this place and the museum opposite base camp for one episode of The Madison. This is Montana at its very best.