Holding the reins

Whether it's summer in Colorado or Utah, fall in Montana, winter in Wyoming, or spring in New Mexico - every season is busy when you live on a ranch. The work is tough, and it's not for just anyone. But it's the work - and the life - that cowgirls love best. With respect and a keen eye, Marc Talbert vividly captures the busy days in the lives of four cowgirls - KaDee Chew, Sarah Guenzler, Katy Whitlock, and Leslie Barmann. These young women share abiding love for family teamwork, the animals they care for, and the wide-open, western spaces they each call home. And they all balance the routines of ranch work, schoolwork, and fun with ease. Striking black-and-white images by nationally acclaimed photographer Barbara Van Cleve portray these cowgirls hard at work and hard at play, holding the reins of life with confidence, energy, and joy.