Saddle and Soul

A multimedia tribute celebrating the cultural heritage of black cowboys

Three horseback riders gather in front of a small business on a rural street during autumn.

Black Cowboys saddle up and ride through the town of Garland NC

Tim Ellis,

the creative mind behind Saddle and Soul. This project is close to my heart as it's all about empowering and uplifting our community in ways that truly matter. Through my photography and videography, I aim to preserve the cultural heritage of black cowboys and inspire Black culture while celebrating the leaders in our community.

I started documenting the Black Cowboys in Garland, NC back in 2018, and it's been an incredible journey ever since.

A person wearing a straw cowboy hat and dreadlocks poses shirtless against a blurred green outdoor backdrop.

Uncle Wild Bill


One of the amazing individuals I've had the privilege to capture is Mr. Tart, also known as Uncle Wild Bill. At 85 years old, he's a true cowboy with a unique riding style and a friendship that spans over 50 years with Uncle Bobby.


A sequence of action shots showing a horse rearing up on a dirt trail in a wooded area.

Me and Uncle Bobby BTS video

Rev. Jimmy Melvin


Another remarkable figure I've had the honor to feature is Rev. Jimmy Melvin, the Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Delway, NC. With over 40 years of pastoral ministry and a career at Goodyear Tire Company, Rev. Melvin's dedication to his community is truly inspiring. From serving on the local NAACP board to advocating for clean water access for all, he's a true leader in every sense of the word.


Four sequential images showing someone in a suit organizing items on a brown leather couch in a church or chapel setting.

Through Saddle and Soul,

I aim to capture the essence of Cowboy culture in North Carolina and shine a light on the unsung heroes and leaders in the Black community. Join me on this journey of celebration and empowerment through the lens of my photography and videography. Let's tell these incredible stories together.

Group lounging on rustic furniture in tall grass field with hanging denim fabric backdrop in outdoor photoshoot setting.
A panoramic view of workers gathered outdoors in a rural area near trees and red buildings on a sunny day.
A rider mounted on a brown horse carrying a flag in a sandy arena with trees in the background.
A paint horse with a brown and white coat stands in a grassy field next to a person wearing a black t-shirt and cowboy boots.
A group of horseback riders in a line at equestrian trail ride through a wooded area during daytime.
Black Cowboy in a cowboy hat and patterned button-up shirt stands outdoors during golden hour with a crowd in the background.
Five sequential images show a rider bonding with a dark horse in a sunlit field during an evening training session.
People on horseback gather at a wooden fence rail near a wooded area during an equestrian activity.
Black and white photograph of a white horse moving through a grassy meadow as seen in multiple sequential frames.
People in cowboy hats and western attire gather outdoors at a community event during sunset.
A person rides a chestnut brown horse near white trailers in a wooded area.
Four sequential photos showing a brown and white horse with rider turning in a training arena.
A rider in blue on a brown and white paint horse trots across dusty ranch terrain on a sunny day.
A vintage black and white photograph shows a group of people gathered with horses in a wooded outdoor setting.
Three people on horseback gathered near a water tower in a small rural town setting during winter.
Emergency response personnel surveys storm damage debris with blue water tower in background under clear sky.
Black and white photograph of a street scene with a figure standing near an E Sloan street sign on a rural road.
Rustic wooden barn exterior with weathered vertical planks and a slanted roof against a bright blue sky.
Silhouette of a dilapidated wooden structure with a water tower visible through the ruins against a bright sky background.
A weathered wooden shack building with broken windows and peeling boards sits abandoned in a rural setting.