Q: How did it feel to be photographed?

Scary. I’m aware that fear is meant to protect us from danger, so being afraid of a photo session nearly sounds ridiculous. The truth is that how we look is a big part of who we are, and it is natural that we fear that others might judge us to be less beautiful than we should be. I feared the experience, and I feared seeing the photos for the first time, but as much as I know that beauty is a standard, and there are some universals, I also find it to be personal. This is how I negotiated with my fear so that it would fade into the background, trusted myself in the right hands, and said yes.  

40 Over 40

Q: How did you feel when you first saw the results?

Surprised. I’m tempted to say that I hardly recognised the woman looking back at me, with the flawless make-up, the bouncy curls, and the charming smile, but I would not be entirely honest. The truth is, even with all the ornaments, I looked natural and comfortable, and the more I looked at the photos, the happier I felt with the results. 

Q: What would you tell other women in their 40s, 50s, 60s or 70s about doing something outside their comfort zone?

I’m slowly (but steadily) approaching 50, so I cannot speak about how I’d feel at 70. What I can say, however, is that if you’re lucky enough to be growing older, you sure deserve an adventure. Most of what we do in life is a game between staying safe and daring to take a new opportunity, and each time you take a bold step on new territory, you grow in strength and satisfaction. You can still explore new grounds with caution and curiosity. Just try it. 

40 Over 40

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