A Legacy in Western Culture

Photography and Words by Beau Simmons.

For six years I have been photographing the western lifestyle and working on some of the biggest ranches in the country. I have been in and out of the saddle, working amongst some of the most incredible men and women I have ever met. Days spent under the hot sun and nights under a neon moon bundled up in a canvas tent listening to the distant yips and howls of coyotes. This journey into documenting the most private and humble people flourished after leaving the fashion photography industry. I needed something fresh. Something that told a bigger story than myself.

When I first began documenting ranches, King Ranch was always in the back of my mind. I would daydream about what it would be like to visit there and the stories I would be introduced to. After many years of working my way around the country, that dream became a reality. I had the opportunity to visit the historic King Ranch while working on an assignment with them recently. I was fortunate enough to photograph their winter catalog for the Saddle Shop and even come home with a few items to wear while I’m on the road documenting more of this lifestyle.

Most of us need no introduction to the King Ranch. It has made its legacy throughout the western culture and helped put food on the table for generations. My time here was spent on both the Norias and Santa Gertrudis divisions where I was introduced to the cowboys and their daily routines. On the first day, I was lucky enough to snag an extra seat in one of the helicopters they used to gather the cattle and capture a few images of the cowboys working them along the Alejandro Pasture.

Each day was filled with different tasks like working horses in the round pen, moving cows, and meeting the legendary bull development manager, Robert Silguero. Robert was such a joy to be around. We shared stories and I never once saw him without a smile on his face. He is a man who cares about the well-being of the animals he works with and it truly shows through not only his hard work but in his words. To learn about the program he runs and watch him work bulls was a first for me.

It was a special day that I got to witness his passion and document the moments that were very important to him. The talent at the King Ranch doesn’t stop there. In my short visit, it would have been impossible to shake hands with everyone but I was honored to photograph Joey Garcia - Norias Division Manager, Enrique “Ricky” Falcon Jr. - Santa Gertrudis Division Cowboy Unit Manager, and Cole Williams - KRQH Wrangler. These images honor not only the men and women who represent this ranch but have allowed me to share a bit of their lives with each and every one of you. I am truly humbled to start my relationship with this ranch and represent a few of the Saddle Shop items as I continue my journey across the country.