Love your menopausal self in photos!

Photo by Susan Harding

Can you make me look younger?

Can you hide the grays?

Can you photoshop my arms/neck/belly?

I can’t begin to tell you how often I hear variations on the themes above from my personal branding portrait clients. Every. Single. Time.

Yet, at the same time, as I talk to these fabulous women about everything but their photos, they tell me they are strong, successful, proud, and ready to change the world.

So, my question back to them – and you – is this:

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GO BACK?

If you could be 25 again, would you? For me, the answer is an easy “No way!” I was a hot mess at 25. Honestly, you couldn’t pay me to go back! Sure, my skin was nicer, my hair redder, and my waistline smaller, but honestly, so what? Everything else about me was a disaster!

Menopausal women are having a Renaissance. That sounds like a weird thing to say – especially with the continuing attacks on women’s rights – but I really see it happening. Women are standing up and demanding a different world. And they are being led by feisty, silver haired, bold goddesses doing the work.

As part of our ongoing revolution against the status quo, we are no longer shying away from talking about “the Change.” My goodness, we ALL go through it. Why is it scandalous? Why isn’t it getting the medical focus it deserves? Why are we whispering? Why are we suffering?

I, for one, wanted to hire a skywriter when I finally made it to the other side! No more migraines! No more periods! Are you kidding me?!?! This is the LIFE! (Okay, no more sleeping through the night either, but hey, HRT to the rescue!)

I will talk about my hot flashes. I will talk about my weight gain. And I will say the dreaded “M” word. And, I will do so in the presence of men. This is who I am, and I am OWNING IT!

So, I ask again … do you really want to look that much younger? Do you really want to start dying your hair again? Do you really want the stress and insecurities of being on a constant diet trying to achieve a body weight that is no longer realistic?

You are beautiful and strong and amazing as you are now! Celebrate it! Own it! PHOTOGRAPH IT!

Menopausal women are my absolute favorite clients! I love creating powerful personal branding portraits that let you see just how phenomenal you are as you are. Let’s put all the strength you know you have out into the world – and see the energy that comes back to you!