The Project

Working Country is a year long photo documentary project focused on contemporary ranching in the American West. The aim is to build a visual record of the people, work, and landscapes that make up ranching today, examining both its longstanding traditions and the ways the industry continues to evolve.

The project will bring together ranches across different regions, generations, and types of operations. This includes multigenerational family ranches, first-generation ranchers establishing their own operations, younger people taking over from previous generations, and individuals finding their own place in agriculture. From small cattle and sheep ranches to larger, more mechanized operations, the intention is to document the range of people and approaches within the industry.

Seasonality will be an important part of the project. The work of ranching follows an annual cycle, with each season bringing different responsibilities, demands, and conditions. Where possible, I plan to return to selected operations throughout the year, photographing the same people and places as their work and surroundings change. These return visits will allow the project to document not only individual moments, but the continuity of ranch life across an entire year.

Beyond the work itself, Working Country will consider the circumstances shaping ranching today. Land use, development, economic pressures, drought, access to land, and generational succession all influence how operations function and what their futures may look like. These challenges are not experienced equally, and the project is interested in the different ways ranchers navigate them.

The goal is to photograph approximately 15–25 ranch families and operations across different landscapes and communities. The resulting body of work will form the foundation of a photography book.