Photographer and filmmaker LUKE GILFORD had a childhood that so many gay men fantasize about. Growing up in Colorado with his father in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, Gilford spent his formative years around the rodeo, an American institution that has often been associated with conservatism and homophobia.
It was only later, when he discovered the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), that he began to see himself as part of a rodeo family. The IGRA is the organizing body for the LGBTQ+ cowboy and cowgirl communities in North America — a safe space for all races and gender expressions.
The queer rodeo brings in participants from rural regions all over America for structured educational programs and competitions, facilitating opportunities to hone athletic skills, connection and care for animals, personal integrity, self-confidence, and support for one another.
Gilford spent over three years traveling the country to document this diverse and ever-evolving subculture. Shot on medium-format film and printed in a traditional dark room, the work is detailed and rich with emotion and color.
The resulting ‘National Anthem‘ photographs are both personal and poetic — clear testaments to Gilford’s intimate relationship to the community. ‘National Anthem’ is a celebration of outsiders and the immense beauty of chosen families everywhere.
National Anthem can be purchased HERE
Luke Gilford is currently based in New York City and Los Angeles. Gifford studied Art at UCLA and his photography and films have been exhibited around the world; including MoMA in New York and FOAM in Amsterdam, as well as at Sundance’s NEXT festival. Gifford has also directed music videos for Kesha, Christina Aguilera and Troye Sivan and photographed & directed campaigns for Valentino, Apple and Mercedes Benz. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.
