... but only when you are twenty?
But before we go on, I must make a disclaimer here. All of the images in this post (and in every other blog post, for that matter) were designed, taken and edited by me. My "models" are not professional models, even if I like to refer to them as such. They are girls and women just like you and me, from "around the block". The reason why I share their images is to illustrate my words, yet it does not mean that any of them are in close correlation with anything said here.
A lovely woman had a long conversation with me the other day. She did not tell me how old she was exactly, only said "middle age". That to me can be anywhere from 40 to 60, depending on what she considers the "middle" of a lifetime. She loved my art, and was attracted to the photo shoot, the concept, my studio, the experience offered ... "However, ... " and she paused for a sigh "I don't even know what I was thinking ... all of this is really for young people".
Her words hit me hard. "Why would one think that having her glamorous portraits taken can only be justified if she is »young»?" ... and then .. "Wonder if she really thinks so?" ... and naturally, my thoughts started rambling around the topic, aimlessly and endlessly.
I must mention here that I love photographing women and men of every age. They all have their charm and beauty. Youth is beautiful, on its own, "by default". Is it easier to capture the beauty of a young person? Definitely not, they have their own challenges, too. But the external features that most of us associate beauty with are obvious. They scream for being turned to subjects of art.
And then there are women in their 40's, 50's and above, and they are just as beautiful as those in their 20's and 30's. Only, this beauty is different. You may have look beyond a few wrinkles to see it.
Often it takes a little more preparation to get them ready for a photo experience. And I am not talking about makeup here. These ladies have seen and lived more, at times a lot. Many of them have lived FOR their family, kids and husband or their career, putting themselves second through years or decades. Inviting them from "behind the scene, into the spotlight" is challenging for both the model and the photographer. But perhaps the results come out even more cathartic and up-lifting.
Beauty is beauty, even if it shows its different colours at the various stages of our lifetime. You have it in you, yes, you, too, who is reading this now. Your choice is to reveal your beauty or not. And if you choose me to help you be seen, I will welcome you in my studio, whether you are 18 or 88.
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