For over 20 years, photographer Jessica Brandi Lifland has been documenting cowboy poets—from performances at Carnegie Hall to intimate moments on ranches across the American West. These poets, who blend music, folklore, and storytelling, serve as a modern link to the cowboy culture of the late 19th century.
“My visual documentary complements the existing rich oral traditions and written stories,” says Lifland, a San Francisco-based photographer.
Inspired by legendary rock photographers like Jim Marshall and Jay Blakesberg, Lifland approaches cowboy poets as though they were rock stars, capturing both their performances and behind-the-scenes moments.
The History of Cowboy Poetry
Cowboy poetry has deep roots in oral traditions. During the 1870s, cowboys on long cattle drives shared stories and songs about love, family, horses, and the beauty of the open range. With no instruments or books to carry, they relied on spoken-word traditions influenced by Irish storytelling, Scottish seafaring, and Native American narratives.
The first collection of cowboy poetry, “Songs of the Cowboys,” was published in 1907, followed by additional anthologies in 1921. Legendary cowboy poet Baxter Black (1945–2022) once joked that cowboy poetry is about all kinds of wrecks—shipwrecks, train wrecks, financial troubles, and horse mishaps.
Famous cowboy poets like S. Omar Barker (1894–1985) and Badger Clark (1883–1957) helped popularize the art form. Clark’s poem “A Cowboy’s Prayer,” published in 1906, was later recorded by Johnny Cash, expressing the cowboy’s love for freedom and open spaces:
I thank You, Lord, that I am placed so well,
That You have made my freedom so complete;
That I’m no slave of whistle, clock, or bell,
Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street.
More Than Just Nostalgia
While the classic cowboy lifestyle faded with the rise of barbed wire fencing, railroads, and land privatization, cowboy poetry remains a living tradition. Today’s cowboy poets are often ranchers, cowhands, and cattle drivers, writing from personal experience rather than just reminiscing about the past.
“Modern-day cowboys still drive cattle over long distances,” Lifland says. “These poets and musicians aren’t just telling old stories—they’re sharing their real lives.”
Documenting Cowboy Poets Through Photography
Photographer Jessica Brandi Lifland first encountered cowboy poetry in 2004, when Polaris Images Photo Agency assigned her to cover the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. The event’s organizers were so impressed that they invited her back as a staff photographer the following year.
“I’ve been back every year since,” she says. “The Gathering feels like a big family reunion.”
Her photographs, now part of the Western Folklife Center’s archives, offer a rare glimpse into both the performances and the private lives of cowboy poets. Andy Hedges, a cowboy poet and recording artist, believes her work is essential.
“Jessica’s photos make you feel like you’re there,” Hedges says. “They might be the only way for future generations to understand what it was like to live in the American West during this time.”
A Career Rooted in Storytelling
Despite having no background in ranching, music, or poetry, Lifland’s photography has earned her deep respect in the cowboy poetry community.
“Jessica may be from San Francisco,” says Hedges, “but she has been welcomed into our tribe because of the care she takes in documenting our culture.”
Lifland holds degrees from Cornell University (1991) and Ohio University (2002, Master’s). Her diverse career includes:
- Freelance photography for top brands and nonprofits
- Photojournalism representation by Polaris Images
- Nearly 20 years of teaching photojournalism at City College of San Francisco
- Teaching at San Francisco State University, University of San Francisco, and the University of Southern Indiana
What began as a single assignment turned into a lifelong passion. Today, she continues to capture cowboy poets on stage, backstage, and at home, showcasing the landscapes and lifestyles that inspire their art.
The Future of Cowboy Poetry
As many veteran cowboy poets grow older, a new generation is stepping in to carry the tradition forward. Lifland believes artists like Andy Hedges are ensuring that cowboy storytelling remains alive for years to come.
Just as cowboy poetry preserves history through words, Jessica Brandi Lifland’s photography keeps the visual story of the American West alive for future generations.
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