Emigrant, Montana, 2026

I have often said that it is the people that make the places.

Western Montana, with its big skies, fast-flowing rivers, watered valleys and grand mountains, is a visual feast that has certainly won the heart of storytellers such as Taylor Sheridan. There is no place quite like it in the world, never mind America.

But it is the locals of Montana who elevate the destination and allow it to transcend other places of beauty. Every little community marooned in the middle of nowhere has storybook characters who play to the lore of the wild west - whether they be Marlboro Men, unrefined mountain men, cowgirls or saloon managers - there is a treasure trove of locals ready to jump into a photograph. There is little need to import extras into Montana; most are right on the filmmaker's doorstep.

The Old Saloon is the poster child destination in Paradise Valley and we have long been drawn to its location between Livingston and the northerly entrance to Yellowstone National Park. When the new owners, Matt and Melody Ferstler, invited us to photograph the saloon in our way and if possible, include a few locals, it was the most welcome of invitations.

Participation shoots like this one are team efforts - the camera tends to notice the outliers and all participants need to listen and play their role otherwise a good idea is unlikely to come off. On this occasion, we had 100% commitment from all and the frame works. I am sure it will encourage more visitors to stop off at one of Montana's legendary saloons - whether that is their sole purpose or whether they are heading down Paradise Valley to Yellowstone.