Embracing Middle Age: Women, Wisdom, and the Power of Being Seen
Lisa Jones (Richmond, VA) celebrates where she’s at and helps others live their best life, too. Age doesn’t define her. No way! Check out her IG at https://www.instagram.com/thenowleaders/
Middle age often comes with a narrative of diminishing visibility.
Society loves to tell women that, as we age, we somehow lose relevance.
But the truth is far more empowering: middle age is when we finally come into our own.
It’s a time when we gain the wisdom and confidence to be ourselves truly. We haven't lost our visibility—we've gained depth, insight, and the courage to take up space unapologetically.
I’ve been reading I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol, and her thoughts on middle-aged women discovering their power struck a chord with me. She talks about pleasure and how, as we age, we become more comfortable in our OWN skin, more attuned to our desires, and more aware of our ability to shape our lives. In middle age, we stop asking for permission. We step into our power and enjoy life on our OWN terms. We finally have the freedom to pursue what truly makes us happy.
I didn’t have the to make my photography business official until I was middle-aged. MacNicol’s book makes me appreciate the little things as pleasures I didn’t enjoy before: the slight breeze, the faint smell of honeysuckle, and the subtle flavors of my favorite food. I find myself unfazed when seeing a rattlesnake, knowing it doesn’t want to engage just as much as I do.
Lorca Smetana is a Resiliency Coach (Bozeman, MT) and a permaculture farmer. She designs her life with ease, flow, and joy. Check out her website at: https://www.lorcasmetana.com/
This shift in mindset has parallels to how we show up in the world, both personally and professionally. As a brand photographer, I’ve witnessed how middle-aged women are embracing their true selves more than ever. These are the women who are leaning into their wisdom, proudly displaying the scars and stories that shaped them and showing the world that they’re not just relevant—they’re powerful.
Childhood best friends Colleen and Tracey founded “Untangling Me.” They built a community to help women untangle from all the shoulds. Check out their website: https://linktr.ee/untanglingme
Getting your picture taken for your business at this stage isn’t just about updating your LinkedIn profile. It’s about showing up authentically, embracing the journey you’ve been on, and letting your personality and strength shine through in every image. Your brand is more than just a logo; it reflects who you are and the impact you’re here to make. And the world needs to see you—your expertise, your resilience, and your unique perspective.
Julie Graves from Bozeman, Montana, decided to start an online fitness community to help middle-aged women recover from injuries stronger than before or use her classes to prevent potential injuries through strength training. She’s currently working on her website and I’ll share when that’s live.
As we age, our faces tell a story. Why hide it? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, coach, executive, or leader, your headshot should reflect your authenticity, your confidence, and your wisdom. It’s an empowering experience, stepping in front of the camera knowing that you’re not just showcasing a polished exterior—you’re sharing the real you. There’s no need to chase the unattainable perfection society once demanded of us in our younger years. Now, we define success, beauty, and pleasure for ourselves.
From Rapid City, South Dakota, Jenn Landis left the corporate world as a Senior Vice President in Human Resources to start her online community. She wants to help professionals learn the skills to up-level their careers. Jenn is also creating her website; I’ll share it when it’s live.
Middle age is an opportunity to thrive and show the world we’re far from done.
We’ve never been more ready to lead, influence, and enjoy the fullness of life.
So, let’s step into this chapter with the power we’ve earned and make sure the world sees it, too—through our work, our words, and yes, even through our portraits.