The promised culmination of my “project” to gather the photographs and stories of women over the age of 50 finally came together after two years of interruptions (to include two major surgeries). Ideally, there would have been 50 over 50… but for this round, there were 19 (including myself), because I just didn’t want to make my early adopters wait any longer. 

The Over 50 Experience sessions are designed to celebrate the strength, beauty, and wisdom of women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and better. And I’ve met and photographed some of the most wonderful women through this campaign! Many of them traveled over an hour to step into my studio – a true honor. 

Our reception was held Wednesday, September 13, at Second Stage Amherst. This venue is near and dear to me, and I could think of no better place to gather everyone to share these images. 

Catering was provided by Tea to Thee. We enjoyed a mill-about with their special Lavender Lemongrass and Lady Grey teas, savories (open-faced sandwiches: Cucumber, Coronation Chicken Salad, Caprese, Goat Cheese & Fig), traditional scones, and sweets (melt-in-your-mouth Rosa Franklins, Lemon Crème and Thumbprint cookies, and Orange Blossoms). I asked for a few gluten-free options, and they delivered, with goodies supplied by Frosted Ridge Confections. And when I ran out of time to make my lemon-lime punch, in case someone wasn't a fan of tea, Martha's team jumped in and did it for me. 

Also set out: decorated vanilla sugar cookies, packaged to go, from DeLitch Baking, branded for the event with multifaceted diamonds, cameras, silhouette portraits, and more. 

I was still hanging our 12x18 gallery-wrapped canvas prints when Susan and her daughter arrived. Susan drove the 45 minutes or so from Rustburg to attend. Laura H and Suzanne, both actresses who regularly have headshot sessions with me, came in from Brookneal. Laura M popped in from Lynchburg - I missed getting her picture with her picture.... Karen, Regina, and Jeannie drove up from Blue Ridge/Fincastle. And Lisa came down from Fishersville with her two daughters! 

Our portrait exhibit will be on display at Second Stage Amherst through the end of October! All are welcome to see each participant’s chosen image, accompanied by a short biographical piece about their lives, beliefs, and advice.

If you cannot make it to see the gallery in person, you can view the commemorative magazine online. I'll feature them in future blog posts, too. However you view these images, I hope you celebrate these talented women with me.

Now that I’ve got some stability in place, most medical challenges beaten into submission, and this global pandemic behind us, the question is whether to do this again… and actually shoot for 50 over 50... or maybe 40 over 40? Your thoughts are welcome.

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Women are multi-faceted, and I love helping them share images that show their authentic, beautiful, confident shine! How do you want to be photographed? Let's meet over coffee and talk about it. Contact me: text/call 434-226-0365 or email [email protected]... or schedule a Zoom meeting online here!