Photographer Lindsey Wyllie of John Day has done it again.

He won “Your Competitor News” rodeo magazine’s Photographer of the Year award — for the sixth consecutive year.

He also won Cover Photo of the Year with a photo he took at the Spray Rodeo.

The magazine is the largest rodeo publication in the West, covering 25 states.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by so many people for so long,” Wyllie said. “I like capturing that piece of history that they can hold onto.”

Wyllie, who grew up on a ranch and was involved in rodeo in his younger years, has been in the rodeo photography business for more than 12 years.

One of his highlights this year was being invited as the exclusive photographer to the Baker Bulls and Broncs Rodeo, which boasts the highest one-day payout in bull riding and saddle bronc riding.

“The opportunities that opened up for me in the PRCA world is phenomenal,” he said.

Wyllie’s personal favorite cover photo this year, a picture of young cowboy John Barry Rose, a Burns resident, competing at the Burns Junior High Rodeo, holds a special meaning to him. The photo appeared on the June 2016 edition of “Your Competitor News.”

“John Barry had not reached his 16th birthday this year when his life was taken in an auto accident,” Wyllie said. “He was well on his way to greatness and had enjoyed being at the top of his game, competing with the big guns in the NPRA and ICA world.”

Wyllie said he felt fortunate to have the opportunity to bring Rose’s skills and accomplishments to light through photography.

“The rodeo family lost a great member,” he said.

The photographer also has a knack for announcing — as an auctioneer, sportscaster, emcee for events and rodeo announcer. Wyllie said he plans to add more rodeo announcing events on his to-do list this year.

He’ll still spend time “behind the lens,” he said, and his first rodeo photography event will be in February at the Eugene High School Rodeo.

Wyllie shared his thoughts about being a rodeo photographer in August while at the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo in Redmond:

“As I sit here in rodeo camp tonight as a photographer, I cannot express the life in just a few words. The people, the friendships, the lifestyle and again I say the friendships.

“I see things that are the real world, what we live and do every day, and I don’t know how to express that all in pictures. The goodnight hugs and kisses by the parents to their kids that they are teaching the way of life. The bonding of a rodeo committee as they deal with putting on the rodeo. … The pain and hardship of a fallen contestant that will require hospitalization for injuries sustained in competition. The people who come together to put on a meal for the workers after the rodeo performance, who gather up everyone’s clothes to wash and bring back the next day? How do you photograph the announcer that brags about the contestants or builds you up with your accomplishments as a photographer? How do you photograph how a sponsor feels about giving to a rodeo production?

“I stare at a buckle I received for photographer of the year for five years in a row; that is the most cherished award I have ever earned! I struggle to be the best I can be, no matter what I do! But I feel I have a long way to go.

“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a picture needs a thousand words to bring out its true meaning. As a photographer how do you photograph the long travel time? The sleepless nights? The endless practice time, time spent in dusty arenas when people are tired and sore and just keep going? … I think it comes down to instead of capturing emotion you have to capture motivation, and I don’t know how to do that yet! But in the meantime, I will travel down this rodeo road and treasure the times, the friendships, the lifestyle and its people!

“And know this, it is and always will be the best road ever! Long live our lifestyle! And that is how I see it.”