Roughstock 

The images in this gallery result from a year-long documentary photography project following a community of rodeo riders in northern Colorado. Right alongside the horses and bulls raised as “roughstock” for rodeo work, the generations of cowboys depicted here were born into the arena. Their love of the rodeo and their close-knit community represent what it means to be true cowboys and cowgirls, whose work with livestock still defines the mythos and the reality of the American West. The discipline and danger of rodeo require complete commitment and teaching these young people a way of life both in and out of the area, keeping a tough work ethic, faith, and family at its core. Cowboy and rancher J.D. Ford, referring to the signal given by a rider ready to come out of the chute, said, “You’re playing with life and death every time you nod your head.”

Milo Gladstein

Milo Gladstein is an award-winning photojournalist and Staff Photographer for The Wyoming Tribune Eagle Newspaper based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As photojournalists, it is our responsibility and privilege to be the eyes of a community. We have unique access to events and lives that might not be seen otherwise and sharing our images is part of our duty to the public.

Milo’s documentary work focuses on stories of human interest. He has done work spanning from drag shows to rodeos and is comfortable in every setting. One of his most notable projects is Roughstock: Raised For The Job about what it means to be a true cowboy in today’s society.

Milo dives deep into the people he covers, discovering what it means to be human through his work. Everyone has a story to tell, it’s all about finding the nuances of what makes us who we are while following our passions.

Milo has won third place in the International Photography Awards Professional competitive event category for his project Roughstock: Raised For The Job.