Photo Essay Pitch

Location: the Calgary Stampede 2025
Focus: Queer identity in an unexpected place: the rodeo.

This story could explore what it means to show up visibly queer in a space often associated with conservatism and traditional masculinity. Through portraits, candid shots, and short interviews, I’ll capture the stories of LGBTQ+ attendees, performers, and locals—celebrating their presence while also investigating the subtle (and not-so-subtle) tensions that come with occupying this space. Think:
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– Cowboy hats and eyeliner
– A two-spirit teen dancing
– A lesbian couple in full western drag
– Micro-interviews about visibility, belonging, discomfort, and joy

The Stampede is such a rich visual environment, and I want to highlight the subcultures and identities often left out of the mainstream coverage. This story sits at the intersection of queer culture, western identity, and public space, and I believe it will resonate with audiences who are craving more layered, personal storytelling from major cultural events. I’d love to discuss the possibility of covering this with photography and writing, or visuals only if preferred.

Photo Examples

All photos taken by me, Sid Baar. Please view the rest of my site to see more examples of my style. Thank you!