2023 Project: Women over 50 Fine Art Portraits, Linda {Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR}
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
Linda was the first in a Fine Art Portrait Series Project I decided to undertake in 2023; Women over 50. The overarching goal of this project is for me to put into practice, what it means in my field to celebrate, honor, and listen.
In my line of work I am frequently inundated by editing tutorials which will unapologetically instruct me to emphasize and make wrinkles on a man look “rugged” and sometimes even dirty, with extra grit and grain. Surprisingly also without apology, editing tutorials with a female subject over 50, I’ll be instructed in how to minimize and lessen the appearance of wrinkles and to soften the skin. This is a glaring inconsistency and double standard among the genders in the photography industry of which I am pushing back on. I call it the beauty demand which is usually aimed at women and needs to end.
The best way I know how to make a difference toward change in eliminating the beauty demand and making more women “of a certain age” more visible is to photograph women over 50. I want to get to know them. I want to hear their stories. I want to share their stories. I want to publish their wisdom and experiences. Many of the women I’ve spoken to who want to participate in this project told me they know exactly when they had become “invisible” to society and people as they aged.
One woman told me for her, it was a realization that there was a “gap” in the images available of her grandma when it came time to plan her memorial service. In defiance, she told me she wasn’t going to let that happen to her and that she was going to make sure she was present in images for her family members. I am here for it, But why that “gap?” Why the double standard?
Some of my assumptions tell me it’s ageism and sexism, but for sure it’s a double standard, and one I believe should be eliminated. Women should be allowed to age, to be seen aging, and celebrated for the stories and wisdom they have to share. Half of the population has a story to tell, wisdom to pass on, and loved ones who want to remember them exactly as they are. I am here for it.
At this end of 2023 I plan on designing and publishing a printed piece to commemorate this journey. It will have images of the women who have participated and the stories they want us to know.