Smile

Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in America.  Yep, it’s pretty badass. Always the last ten days in July.  Always.  I have covered Frontier Days since 2001, as a freelance writer and photographer.

I had a press pass every year from 2001 – 2005 and in 2009.  It was pre-digital, or I had no idea what a digital camera was.  So I used black and white film (2001 – 2005).  I truly believe these four hot Julys was my unofficial training in photography.  I went to the University of Rodeo, so to speak.  I love taking photos of cowboys and rodeo.  I find the sport titillating.  I get so excited, and I love being behind the scenes.

There is a certain beauty and poetic element to the life of a cowboy.  It is a lonely road, filled with challenges and temptations.  There are many types of cowboys.  But honestly, and you know me — I am bone honest: every cowboy I have ever met and interviewed or spoke with has always been down-to-earth, courteous, and polite.  I am usually nervous when I interview cowboys.  Never has one blown me off or been rude.  I have interviewed Ben Jones, JB Mauney, Austin Meier, Kasey Hayes, Jerome Davis, Clint Craig, Bobby Mote, and many more.

I have entered a photo in a contest on Talenthouse.  It is of Clint Craig, who is adorable.  He is so cute and so nice.  I was very lucky to interview and photograph Clint with his two buddies, JB Mauney and Lander Creech, at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2009.    My assignment:  pick the hottest cowboys at Cheyenne Frontier Days and ask them questions like, What’s sexier — cowboy boots or heels? and How does a woman get your attention?  What is your phobia? and Favorite body part.

Tough job, but someone has to do it, right?

The article appeared in Cowgirl in January 2010 for their Valentine’s issue.

Clint is from Mena, Arkansas and a very nice young man.  He does look like Woody Harrleson.  You can see my Clint Craig article in Rodeo News,  published in the September 2009 issue of Rodeo News:

I have also posted a video of him being interviewed about for 93 points ride on Red Onion in San Antonio in 2010.

Clint is in Cheyenne today for the Championship Bull Riding.

http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a0f9dff66f714fed1a26d107a29d7516/658

Click on the link above to vote for Clint’s photo, “Smile.”

If you are looking for souvenirs of Cheyenne Frontier Days or would like photos of cowboys, please visit my online gallery.  For a limited time proceeds will be going to Team Amber, who is a Cheyenne native and dear friend of mine who was paralyzed recently in a boating accident.