The gauchos of La Pampa (1974)

I photographed the gauchos of three estancias (ranches), out of eleven owned by an attractive woman I met on a flight from Buenos Aires to Miami. We were flying coach. We talked and in the conversation it came up that I had been trying to photograph the gauchos of La Pampa, but none of the extremely rich owners I contacted would give me permission.

“Oh, I own eleven estancias,” she said. “You can photograph them anytime you like. I’ll have on of my airplanes pick you up. Call me.” I didn’t believe her. She was flying coach! But she did own eleven estancias. Here are some of the images I took.