My series “Charro” is a 10+ year documentary photo project which places photographs alongside interviews to tell the story of the Mexican Charro and their place in contemporary Mexican society.

Much has been written and many images made of the Gauchos and the Cowboys of the Americas. The Charro, however - their origins and culture, past and present are lesser known even among Mexicans. Since Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the Charro has played an integral role in the development of modern Mexico. As Mexican society becomes increasingly homogenous and more people seek connections to their heritage, the audience for the sport is growing.

My work with this community is a dialogue with the image of the Charro as being emblematic of the culture of Machismo. The majority of existing work around the Charro reflects this outdated stereotype and represents a fragmented understanding of Charro culture, which affects the community’s self-perception. With this project I am creating a series that reflects the Charro and their community as I have come to know them: soft, welcoming, kind-hearted people with strong family values who care deeply about the animals in their care. As interest in Charreria grows and more people are attracted to a simpler way of life, I feel it is important to create images that can reflect the many dimensions of Charro culture and identity amidst a changing world.

Steve Howse is a self-taught documentary photographer with 15+ years of experience on commercial and artistic projects. As a photojournalist for Red Bull’s Cultural Division, between 2011 and 2018, Steve photographed music-industry giants and documented the explosion of the UK Grime scene. As an independent documentary photographer, Steve was the first photographer on record to be granted access to the The Green Line, the UN-controlled buffer zone between North and South Cyprus. His work has been published by various UK-based newspapers such as The Observer and The Sunday Times. After four years in hiatus, Steve returned to his craft to focus on his mission-driven, independent work and develop a 10+ year project entitled “Charro” focused on the heritage and sport of the lesser known Mexican cowboy.

For more information:
Visit: www.stevestills.com --and Read the interview with Steve Howse