WORKING COUNTRY
An ongoing photo documentary project focused on contemporary ranching in the American West
The Project
Working Country is an independent photographic documentary exploring 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. 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. Alongside the photographs, the project will incorporate personal histories, stories, and perspectives from the people documented, offering a deeper understanding of the lives and experiences behind the images. The resulting body of work will form the foundation of a photography book.
PROJECT STATUS
in progress
WHAT PARTICIPATION LOOKS LIKE
Participation involves spending time on location photographing the people and work involved in each ranching operation. Visits will be coordinated around the ranch’s schedule and seasonal activities, with some operations potentially photographed more than once throughout the year. Participants may also be invited to share personal histories, experiences, and perspectives that will help inform the written component of the project.
The approach is documentary rather than staged, focusing on the work, routines, and people that make each operation distinct.
WHERE WILL THIS TAKE PLACE?
The project will begin in Montana, with plans to expand into Wyoming, the Dakotas, and other Western states as opportunities and funding allow.
The project aims to capture ranching across diverse landscapes and regions, from the high plains of eastern Montana to mountain valleys and remote agricultural communities.
Want to be part of Working Country?
Working Country is currently seeking ranchers and agricultural operations interested in participating in the documentary.
There is no cost to participate, and participating operations will receive a selection of finished photographs as a thank-you.
If you're interested in being part of the project, please complete the inquiry form below.
Submitting an inquiry does not commit you to participating. I’ll be in touch to discuss the project and answer any questions.