Jay Dusard

My friend, photographer and Guggenheim Fellow Jay Dusard with his favorite instrument. Jay was an iconic Arizona portraitist and documentary photographer. He photographed the North American cowboy and cowgirl’s of the western United States. From Northern Mexico to Montana he made portraits that will stand the test of time way beyond his years. When I made this portrait in 2006 I asked him what is closest to your heart beyond photography. He said, it was music and his Cornet. I asked him to stand for the portrait embracing his Cornet. Behind Jay is one of his iconic portrait of Julie Hagen, Wagstaff Land & Cattle Company, Wyoming 1981. Jay passed away Sept. 20, 2025. He was 88 years old. RIP Jay Dusard!