*Dawn brought Asters from her garden. Their abundance with the perfect addition.* Kim Brundage Photography

I am, first and foremost, a branding photographer. My expertise lies in taking photos specifically designed to increase my clients’ engagement with their potential and existing clients, thus increasing their revenue.

I love what I do, but at the end of last year, I decided to break out of that mold and have some fun with my photography and clients. I wanted to invite them to come and “play” during an appointment that was all about them! That’s when I started the “40 Over 40 Celebration Project.”

*Dawn made this quilt for her portrait session.* *Dawn laid down as this cul-de-sac was the death of the forest.* Kim Brundage Photography

What Prompted Me to Start This Project?

I got the idea for this project when I did my self-portraits and, for the first time, saw my own beauty through the images I captured. As women, our 40s and beyond can be a time of huge transition. Milestone birthdays, menopause, empty-nest syndrome, and even becoming a grandmother can make you feel untethered. Portraits can provide a healthy outlet for you to express feelings, thoughts, emotions, and, most importantly, confidence about this phase of your life.

This project is designed to personally celebrate my female clients who are over 40 right where they are in their lives. It’s a very personal and visual exploration for them and a wonderful opportunity for me to showcase my talents as a photographer in an entirely new way.

*I love that Dawn was willing to get into the chilly, mucky water.* Kim Brundage Photography

Dawn Flores

I did my very first “40 Over 40” session in October with an amazing woman named Dawn Flores, and it was a truly transformative experience for both of us. Dawn is a multi-discipline artist who works for social and environmental justice from Richmond, Virginia. She dedicated the past eight years to The Forest Project, which involved documenting 60 acres of urban forest before, during, and after it was clear-cut and eventually turned into a residential development.

*I used my Lensbaby 28mm Trio lens for a cool affect*. Kim Brundage Photography

Dawn’s Experience

Dawn told me that, as this project progressed, she began to notice two sides of herself…the side that got lost and became one with nature and the side that was putting on a face of what she thought the world expected of her. She shared with me that her “40 Over 40” session allowed her to truly embrace her internal, authentic side for the first time. During our photo shoot, we went to a culdesac in the sub-division that now stands where Dawn’s forest used to be, and she spread out a quilt she’d made with remnants she gathered after the forest was destroyed. I captured this photo…

Dawn invited me into her environment as our shoot progressed, and we had a truly transformative experience. Here’s how she described it.

“The way Kim communicated, asked questions and bounced ideas off of me made it possible for me to surrender to the process and work in partnership with her. She was able to come with me into that environment and truly capture the way I interact with it. It felt enchanting.

This photo shows all of my wrinkles, and I love it because it captures my interior beauty. Looking at it reminds me of how that photoshoot allowed me to release all of the outward shame, guilt, and ‘not enoughness’ I’d been feeling and embrace who I truly am.”

I was truly honored that Dawn trusted me enough to let me in, and the images we captured were magical because of the bond we created. It reminded me that my work is also art, and I’m so privileged to help other women embrace their beauty and truly show up in the world.

Ready for your own “40 Over 40 Celebration” experience?

I can’t wait to work with more women on the “40 Over 40 Celebration Project.” I have a feeling these shoots will mean as much to me as they do to my clients. If you’re interested in learning more, click here and schedule a time to chat with me. I’d love to learn more about you and determine if this project is a good fit for you.