Instagram Takeover: Rory Doyle

Our next Instagram Takeover comes from Rory Doyle, a working photographer based in Cleveland, Mississippi in the rural Mississippi Delta.

Doyle is a 2019 Mississippi Visual Artist Fellow through the Mississippi Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts for his ongoing project on African American cowboys and cowgirls, Delta Hill Riders. Doyle won the 16th Annual Smithsonian Photo Contest with the project, which was announced in April 2019. The work was featured in the Half King Photo Series in New York and The Print Space Gallery in London.

 

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“Big Mac Dancing” – Cleveland, Mississippi. Photo by @rorydoylephoto It’s been a big honor to share some work from my ongoing “Delta Hill Riders” project this week. I’m sure “Old Town Road” by @lilnasx is a huge hit in Europe like it is here, and more importantly, the song is sparking conversation about African American contributions to cowboy and country music culture. Follow my account, as I aim to do just that as I continue the project from Mississippi. Again, I’d like to extend my gratitude to @photoworks_uk for this opportunity. Enjoyed sharing with y’all. Ride on! #photoworks_uk #RoryDoyle #instagramtakeover #photography

A post shared by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jun 23, 2019 at 1:00pm PDT

 

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“Delacroix-like Dance.” Ruleville, Mississippi. Photo by @rorydoylephoto What’s one of the best things about Delta riders? Cowboy Night at the local clubs! The community comes out to watch the choreographed dances, and the DJ plays a number of Zydeco and Blues cowboy songs. As the night goes on, the wildness intensifies! #photoworks_uk #RoryDoyle #instagramtakeover #photography

A post shared by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jun 20, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT

Additionally, Doyle was awarded a South Arts State Fellowship representing Mississippi in 2019. He was also recognized for the project by winning the 2019 Zeiss Photography Award, and the photojournalism category at the 2018 Eye Em Awards in Berlin, Germany.

 

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Young Riders” – Greenville, Mississippi. Photo by @rorydoylephoto. Being a cowboy means different things to different people. In the Mississippi Delta, it’s not about being a working cowboy, but identifying with the iconic Western image. Here’s how I’ve been summarizing the Delta cowboy/cowgirl scene: 1. Trail rides — no competition, just a good time to hang out, eat, drink, listen to music and ride in the woods. Often involves BBQ and ATVs. 2. Horse shows — A competition based on the gait and appearance of the horse and rider. Prize money is given in different categories. 3. Rodeo — The rodeo scene in the Delta is on a much smaller scale than Texas, Oklahoma and other states. But it does exist and participation is high when the rodeo comes to town. 4. Cowboy Night at local clubs — The cowboys gather at different dance clubs around the region. The riders wear their hats and boots, and the DJ plays songs they love. A wild party, to say the least. #photoworks_uk #RoryDoyle #instagramtakeover #photography

A post shared by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jun 19, 2019 at 11:43am PDT

 

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@rorydoylephoto continuing my takeover with “Delta Hill Riders,” an ongoing body of work about the African American cowboys and cowgirls of the rural Mississippi Delta. This photo features Rogers Beamon and his grandson, Javaris. Rogers has been riding for nearly 40 years and has been teaching Javaris to ride since he was a little kid. #photoworks_uk #RoryDoyle #instagramtakeover #photography

A post shared by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jun 18, 2019 at 11:33am PDT

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For more of Rory’s work, click here.