Photo Essay| “A Weekend with the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey—Black Cowboys”
“Photography is freedom, pioneering, exploration, and creativity for me.”
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Black Cowboys Louis Thompson JR, Damere Beverly, Lavarr Nowell and Jeffery Witchier at the end of the trail ride during the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey signature trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Both JR and Witchier take special note in trying and educating the teenagers who attend Plainfield Public Schools. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ—In a world of overconsumption and indulgence in manufactured social media pictorials, photojournalism reminds us of the power of images that force us to wrestle with our shared human story that often suffers distraction by the filtered selfie. Why is photojournalism so powerful? A large part of the answer may rest in research by neuroscientists that one-quarter of our brain is visual perception. This is how photojournalists have the power to deconstruct barriers of entry that may exist in the written narrative—they can capture moments that affirm our shared humanity.
Brian Branch-Price is that photojournalist: his more extensive work on "The Black Cowboy" is both provocative and sublime. Over the past five years, Price has been following Black Cowboys across the country. In this photo essay, Price spends a weekend with the Crazy Faith Riders of N.J., a horseback riding club, on this year's Round Valley Trail Ride.
Price uses the black and white format for his art form, inspired by Roy DeCarava and Moneta Sleet, Jr. What defines his photography? Simple and pointed, "Photography is freedom, pioneering, exploration, and creativity for me,” Price said.
On Aug. 19-21, the Crazy Faith Riders held their annual trail ride in Clinton Township. Over 300 people, including pre-teens, participated in the ride and festivities. The riding club was established over 16 years ago, and many of the riders, rather cowboys, have been riding together for over 20 years. "We have riding events across the state throughout the year, and it is always jaw-dropping for young kids to see Black men and women on horsebacks,” said Wayne Johnson, president of Crazy Faith Riders.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey Luis Thompson Jr. (right) watches young cowboys Damere Beverly and Lavarr Nowell set up a tent for their annual signature trail ride in Round Valley on Friday, August 19, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Cowboys walk from the coral during the annual Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Members of the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey rest with their horses on the banks of the Round Valley Reservoir during their annual signature trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Friends and members of the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey during the club’s annual signature trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Lavarr Nowell helps secure the tent lines for the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey signature trail ride in Round Valley on Friday, August 19, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Crazy Faith Riders Steve Alleyne during their annual signature trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Alleyne Rides Bareback. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Lavarr Nowell, 12, works on his horse Spot during the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey signature trail ride in Round Valley. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Black Cowboy Julian Hooks, and Crazy Faith Rider of New Jersey member Black Cowgirl Pam Battle, during the club’s annual trail ride in Round Valley on Saturday, August 20, 2022. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Tyshawn Davis (left) of the Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey and JR of the Federation of Black Cowboys during a party after the club’s signature trail ride in Round Valley. Friends and members line dance. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: Marvin Hooks (left) and Crazy Faith Riders of New Jersey during the club’s annual signature trail ride in Round Valley. (Brian Branch-Price/TheFotoDesk)
