Reflections of a Cow Man’s Daughter

Jennifer Faulkner, a University of Wyoming graduate student, received the Larsh Bristol photojournalism stipend in May 2011.  This funding supports her current project, which aims to represent the ranching community. Her goal is to capture images of every day ranch life, with an emphasis on the diversity and challenges of this lifestyle.

Jennifer wrote in her proposal for the project, “Wyoming has a rich history of cowboy culture, and still uses this imagery as a source for attracting visitors. It is ironic, however, that the public perception of the cowboy is full of romance and sexuality, while ranching itself is often regarded as a profession left to the uneducated and untraveled conservative. Having been raised on a Wyoming cattle ranch, I am keenly aware of such discrepancies and misunderstandings regarding the ranching community. I regretfully observe this land-based lifestyle slipping down the same path of extinction as other past agrarian societies…The purpose of this project is to create a photographic collection representing the dynamic and multidimensional life of the rancher, from the perspective of a cow man’s daughter.”

Jennifer is seeking additional Wyoming ranchers interested in allowing her to gather photographs of their operations. Please contact Jen at 307-761-2556 or faulknerj99@hotmail.com, if you are interested in having her take pictures at your operation.  She is happy to provide references of other ranchers who have graciously allowed her to visit and document their lives throughout the summer and fall.

Select photos from this project will be featured at a gallery display May 18th from 6-9 p.m. at Heart’s Alley, 404 S 2nd Street in Laramie, Wyo. The showing is open to the public.