About The Western Lensman Dispatch
The Western Lensman Dispatch documents the Contemporary West — its grit, its beauty, and its changing realities.
This publication blends fine art photography with storytelling that reaches across the spectrum of Western life today. Each Dispatch is a record of how the West endures, adapts, and carries its traditions forward.
What You’ll Find Here
Features → long-form stories with photo essays and companion podcast episodes.
Field Notes → shorter reflections and single images, quick moments from the trail.
Behind the Lens → process, philosophy, and the craft of documenting the West.
Conversations → interviews with ranchers, makers, and historians shaping the region today.
Editorial Pillars
The Dispatch follows five threads that weave together the story of the Contemporary West:
Lifestyle → food, drink, gear, and life in Western towns
Grit → ranching, rodeo, cowboy work, and resilience
Adventure → trails, road trips, mountain passes, and seasonal change
Environment → fire, water, land, and stewardship
Culture & History → heritage families, traditions, makers, and stories of the past
About the Author
I’m Markus Van Meter — photographer, storyteller, and former cowboy for Ralph Lauren’s Double RL Ranch. Through The Western Lensman, I create fine art photography, publish a collectible magazine, and now, with The Dispatch, offer an ongoing record of life in the Contemporary West.
