Why I Created a 40 Over 40 Portrait Project (And Why Women Are Saying Yes)

There’s a moment I see again and again in the studio.

A woman arrives a little nervous, sometimes laughing at herself, sometimes quietly unsure, and says something like:

“I almost didn’t do this.”

Maybe life felt too busy.
Maybe she wanted to lose a little weight first.
Maybe she felt like she missed her moment.

And then something shifts.

As the session unfolds, the need to perform softens. The camera becomes less about appearance and more about presence. And when she sees her portraits for the first time, there’s often a pause, a deep breath, as if she’s meeting herself in a new way.

That moment is what inspired me to create the 40 Over 40 Portrait Project.

This Isn’t About Age; It’s About Visibility

This project isn’t just for women who are exactly 40. It’s for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, up to 100+.

Because something beautiful happens as we move through life.

We become layered.
We become wiser.
We become less interested in perfection and more interested in truth.

And yet, so many women tell me they feel less visible as the years go on.

This project is my way of gently pushing back against that.

A Portrait Experience And Something Bigger

The 40 Over 40 Project is more than a photoshoot.

Each participant is photographed in my painterly, editorial style, portraits that feel timeless, expressive, and deeply personal.

But what makes this project special is the collective story.

Participants will be invited to:

• Be featured in a magazine celebrating women in this chapter of life

• Take part in a special exhibition honoring strength, softness, and reinvention

• Receive a matted fine art portrait after the exhibition as a lasting keepsake

This is about creating something meaningful together.

Why I’m Inviting Women to Bring a Friend

Doing something vulnerable can feel easier when shared.

That’s why participants are welcome to bring a friend, sister, or loved one to experience the day with them. You’ll each be photographed individually, but you can share the laughter, nerves, and excitement.

Sometimes courage grows faster when it isn’t done alone.

The Part No One Talks About

Many women tell me they almost wait.

Until life slows down.
Until they feel more confident.
Until they feel more ready.

But the truth is, this chapter is already worthy of being remembered.

The laugh lines.
The strength you’ve earned.
The softness you’ve learned to protect.

You don’t need a milestone to celebrate yourself.

Being here, now, is enough.

If This Feels Like a Quiet Yes

Sometimes the things we postpone the longest are the things we quietly need the most.

If you’re reading this and feeling that small pull, the little voice wondering what it might feel like to see yourself this way, you’re not alone.

I created the 40 Over 40 Project for women exactly in that space between maybe someday and maybe now.

If you’re curious, you can learn more about the project here.

→ Explore the 40 Over 40 Portrait Project

A Final Thought

This project isn’t about becoming someone else.

It’s about seeing who you already are - clearly, beautifully, and without apology.

And that feels worth documenting.