Before Texas BBQ became a global phenomenon, Wyatt McSpadden was already there — camera in hand, documenting the people, places and traditions that helped define it.

For decades, Wyatt has captured some of the most iconic images in Texas barbecue, from the old-school joints of Lockhart and Taylor to the rise of a new generation that would completely transform the scene.

In this episode of Smoke(less), Wyatt joins Nick Pencis, Justin Fourton and Wayne Mueller to look back at an extraordinary career behind the lens. He shares stories from photographing legendary BBQ joints, climbing onto a semi-trailer to get the perfect shot, documenting Aaron Franklin before anyone could have predicted what was coming, and the photographs and memories that mean the most to him.

Wyatt also opens up about his battle with cancer, why photography became so important during his recovery, photographing everyone from Willie Nelson to Beyoncé, and what happens to a lifetime of work when the photographer behind it is no longer around to tell the stories.

This isn’t just the story of a photographer. It’s the story of someone who witnessed — and preserved — a remarkable era of Texas BBQ history.

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