About Ken
Kendall Pruett is an photographer and visual storyteller from Abilene, Texas. His interest in wildlife dated back to the days of his early childhood, watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Ken also developed an early interest in art where the majority of his drawings and paintings featured wildlife subjects and won numerous art and conservation competitions during his childhood years. His love of the American West began in his early childhood as well.
Ken first entered college as a wildlife biology major. With the job market being pretty grim at the time for wildlife biologist, he eventually changed majors and graduated with a degree in geology. It was during this time in college that he acquired is first film SLR camera to carry on various geology field trips, shooting predominately slide film. Upon graduation he continued to carry a camera with him in the field as a working geologist, taking advantage of his spare time to head off down the many back roads in search of wildlife and super cell thunderstorms to photograph across the plains of Texas.
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN WEST
Ken has long had a love affair with the American West. Whether it is the beauty and ruggedness of the landscape, the wildlife that inhabits the wide open spaces or the people that are as colorful as the landscape itself. There is truly no other place like it on earth. The romance of the American West has withstood the test of time and is still alive today.
VANISHING WAY OF LIFE – THE AMERICAN COWBOY
Like many during his time, Ken spent most Saturdays in his early childhood going to the Saturday matinees at one of the nearby local movie theaters in which most of the movies during that era were dominated by the great westerns. It was through these early western movie and TV shows that Ken developed an affection and respect for the American cowboy. Ken photographed his first roundup in 1981. Growing up and living in Texas, Ken has always been surrounded by the farming and ranching community. Unfortunately we are witnessing a dying way of life so Ken feels the importance and urgency of documenting what remains. Through his images he tries to capture the spirit and code of the west, an unwritten law and way of life that is revered and respected by the people of the American West. Ken has captured images of the American Cowboy in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana.
WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
Ken has always had a love affair with animals and wildlife. Friends have often referred to him as “animal whisperer”. He just seems to be able to have some sore of spiritual connection with animals, no matter the species. He has had numerous experiences in the wild where the animals seem to be drawn to him as if there is some sort communication between the two. Establishing a connection, no matter the subject is important to Ken’s work. It’s almost impossible to make good photographs if you are not connected, whether it is finding a connection with the land, the people or the animals. Once you find that connection then it’s just as important that you are accepted.
RECEPIENT OF THE PRESIDENT’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Ken donates a lot of his time and creative skills, working with various local nonprofit groups, utilizing his photography and video skills to document various events and fundraisers. Ken uses his creative skills to help various nonprofits develop promotional material across multiple platforms used for publicity, fundraising and grant applications, with the goal of raising needed donations that are the life and blood to the survival of a nonprofit. On July 31, 2021 Ken was presented with The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 20,000 plus hours of volunteer service.