"There was a time when the chink-a-chink of spurs was immediately identifiable, the creak of a saddle an ordinary thing, and a man wasn't worth much in a practical sense if he couldn't throw a rope . . . Being a cowboy was hard work that paid twelve dollars a month or twenty calves a year if you worked for Dan and Tom Waggoner." – Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch
Jeremy Enlow, a highly lauded advertising, media and fine arts photographer based in Fort Worth, unveils his inaugural photography book, Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch on Nov. 1.
Now available for online presale, the limited edition book gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the Cow Camp operation behind the reversed triple D brand of the legendary Waggoner Ranch, the largest ranch in the United States under one fence.
Enlow partnered with writer Jan Nichols Batts, a native Texan who started her professional career when she was 14 years old as a reporter for The Abilene Reporter-News.
Being immersed with the cowboys for days at a time was both eye-opening and mouth-closing, Enlow said. "Whether it rains, sleets or snows, the cowboys are always working."
"Some people think of the cowboy as a half-mythological folk hero, just a symbol of the American West," said Helen Willingham, joint owner of the Waggoner Ranch. "The Waggoner Cowboys are real people. They are essential to the daily operation and success of this outfit. They are proud to ride for the 3D brand. Our cowboys have been a vital cog in the wheel of Waggoner success for many years. The pride they have in this organization is evidenced by the hard work they put in day after day, preserving a very special way of life."
Enlow self-published the hardcover Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, which was printed in Fort Worth by Four Color Press on 100# glossy stock. Paradigm Creative, also from Fort Worth, designed the book.
"Most books are printed in China due to cost savings," Enlow said. "I felt this book about Texans, in Texas, should be printed right here in Fort Worth. The Waggoner Ranch has such a deep history with the City of Fort Worth I'm glad we were able to keep everything local. With the ranch for sale, the new owners could divide the ranch and this way of life for the cowboys would disappear. I wanted to document this way of life for my kids and future generations."
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to The Waggoner Ranch Cowboys Fund.
To learn more about ordering select limited fine art prints from this book, visit jeremyenlow.com. To learn more about the book, visit waggonercowboys.com.
An extended version of this article, including historical information and numerous stunning images from Enlow's book will be online at fwtx.com on Nov. 27.
