Absolutely, I wanted to take photos of these pretty boys all summer at the Braided Crop Ranch.Who wouldn’t?Especially because Ididhappen to be a gay man, and I couldn’t imagine a more arousing spectacle than watching ponyboys prance around in the gear I’d seen.
I tapped my fingers on the desk, mind spinning, and body on high alert.Those photos were really doing it for me, and they weren’t even that good.Imagine whatIcould produce.
I called Adam.He picked up after the first ring.
“Oliver.I’m so glad to hear from you.”
I pulled my wheeled desk chair out and sat down.
“Adam, I’ve gone through the photos on the website.They aren’t bad, but I could definitely produce something superior, especially if I have six weeks to follow some individual ponyboys around and document their daily activities.”
When Adam replied, his voice was light and excited.He already seemed like a stand-up guy and I was already looking forward to working with him.
“Amazing!I was hoping you’d be interested.We’d have to ensure that no identifying features or marks were visible in the photos, of course.Privacy is a major concern for us here.”
I picked up a pen and started to doodle on my gas bill.“Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that.I’m willing to do this for you, Adam, but I’d like to publish the photos under a pseudonym.”
“Of course.I don’t have any issue with that.”
I felt I had to explain.“I just don’t know if I want to associate my professional name with this.I believe it’s just as valuable a pursuit as any other type of photography, but I’m worried I’ll lose out on other opportunities if someone less flexible sees that I take these kinds of photos, as well as the mainstream stuff.”
“I completely understand,” Adam replied.
The words I’d said didn’t sit well with me.I ran a hand through my hair and walked over to the window.“I’m not ashamed to take photos of beautiful boys, Adam.”I cleared my throat.“I assume they’re all of legal age?”
“Yes, of course.We have a minimum age requirement of twenty to sign up as a ponyboy at the ranch.We don’t think people younger than that have the mental maturity to handle the experience since it’s so immersive.”
“Okay.Good.Anyway, as I was saying, I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to do this work.Not at all.And those harnesses and the cages…I mean…Jesus.Do the ponyboys wear those things day-to-day?”
Adam chuckled softly.“They do.Almost every day.”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.“Every…day?Okay, you’ve got to tell me.How does the Braided Crop Ranch function, exactly?”
“I’d rather explain that to you in person, Oliver.When you arrive in July.”He paused.“All I can say is, four years into operations, the ranch works beautifully.I’d like you to come and make a photographic record of that.”
If I passed this opportunity up?It would be a huge regret.There wasn’t any reason I could think ofnotto go.
“What sort of compensation are we talking about?”I asked, getting down to the nitty gritty.Perhaps I should have led with that.But my brain was blinded with pictures of pretty ponyboys, so…
We went over what Adam was willing to offer.
He’d house me, feed me, entertain me, as long as I took a good amount of photos and tried to make the ranch look as professional and exclusive and exciting as it really was.He also offered me enough money to make the venture worthwhile, even if I chose not to add the images to my professional portfolio.His confidence in the workings of his ranch was contagious, and by the end of the discussion, I was eager to see the place.
“All right.I’ll do it.”I said, tossing the pen across the table and rolling my chair back.Fuck you, stupid red tomato.I gave my computer the finger, grinning ear-to-ear.
“Fantastic,” Adam said.“The summer session begins on the twelfth of July.The ponyboys will be arriving over the weekend and getting settled, so if you come on-site midweek, that would be perfect.It’ll give me time to let everyone know you’ll be wandering around taking photos, as long as they agree.Consent it very important at my ranch, even for something as seemingly benign as this.But I don’t think we’ll have a problem with a lack of participation.Most of the men who play pony here are very much into exhibitionism.”
I could only fucking imagine.“Sure.”
“When you arrive, I can give you a quick orientation and you can dive right in.That work for you?”
“Yes.That’s fine.”
“Text me your email address and I’ll have Connor send out our standard welcome letter with attached directions and information.We usually send it to incoming staff, so just ignore the parts that aren’t relevant.”
“Sure.Thanks.”
“I’ll see you on July twelfth, Oliver.Thank you so much for agreeing to my request.Jaden couldn’t say enough positive things about you.”
