Branding

When it comes to branding, I meet people with all kinds of reactions. Some hate it. Some love it. Most, honestly, just don’t understand it.

In modern society, we’re so removed from the origins of our food and the traditions that sustain rural life. For many, it's all about which steakhouse to visit and how good the meal looks on Instagram. But out here, for the families and communities that carry on the ranching way of life, branding is something deeper. It’s culture. It’s legacy. It’s necessary.

When I first started photographing rodeos, I made a quiet goal for myself: I wanted to be invited to a branding. For me, branding felt like the heartbeat of cowboy culture. When I think "cowboy," I picture a horse, a hat, and a hot iron.

So when a friend reached out and asked if I’d like to come shoot one, I didn’t hesitate—I said yes. Right after that, I started making calls. I wanted to learn the do’s and don’t’s. Branding isn’t a spectacle—it’s a working tradition, often involving family and close friends, and I wanted to be respectful of that.

At the end of the day, as a photographer, my job is to capture the truth of the moment. That means showing good practice, honoring the family, and telling a story through images that’s as real as the dust in the air.

So I asked my questions, packed my gear, and jumped right in.

The sounds of the cows echoed across the field. Trucks lined up along the pasture, and families started gathering, getting ready. The smell of burning wood mixed with the dust in the air. Food was being laid out, and I asked if I could help. I ended up loading coolers while others began sorting the calves.

It was neighbors and families of all ages—everyone pitching in. The laughter and jokes came quickly, familiar and warm. Then the ropers got to work, dragging calves to the fire with precision and rhythm.

Everything happened fast. Branding began, and the smell of burnt hair filled the air. It was a beautiful kind of chaos.

There were people on horseback, roping calves with practiced ease. Others were giving shots, tagging ears, or holding animals steady. The ground crew moved quickly and calmly, working in sync. Kids ran around the edges, soaking it all in—learning the ways, like generations before them.

First half of photos from Sigman ranch Second half of photos are from Simmons Ranch.