Glamorous Portrait Photoshoot for 70 year old in Vancouver

I had the great pleasure of photographing Verian, aged 70, a few months ago. She came in on the recommendation of a friend who I had also done a glamour portrait shoot for a few months before her. Both women came in as part of my Over 50 & Beautiful Photo Project (which has, at least for now, concluded) and it was such a blessing to get to photograph them both.

Beautiful, radiant Verian photographed in studio. ©Laura Sosner Photography

With Verian in particular, I joked that her age made her a unicorn to me because it’s not very often that I get to photograph women in this age group. And what a beautiful age group it is. As a portrait and headshot photographer, I find I am most drawn to under-represented types of beauty. And while as a culture we’re slowly making progress, I think most people would agree that women over the age of 50, let alone over the age of 70, are one of many groups that remain under-represented to this day.

So to say I was excited to photograph Verian is quite the understatement. She has such a light about her.

I will forever be a sucker for portraits that capture laughter. © Laura Sosner Photography

As part of the Over 50 & Beautiful Photo Project, Verian was kind enough to answer a few questions about what it’s like to be a woman over the age of 50 in our culture. Without further ado, I’ll turn it over to her:

1) Why did you want to be a part of the Over 50 & Beautiful Photo Project?

Because older women, so often, are not "seen" in society - not just in the media, but in everyday life, in a grocery store or walking down the street. It's as if we're invisible to many younger people.

2) If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Pay more attention to fitness and health while it's still easy!

3) What's one thing you wish you had known about growing older?

It's true that "growing old is not for sissies", as the cliche goes. It takes courage, because it's all about loss, in various ways. I wish I had given more thought to the practice of focusing on what's achievable and possible and learned more, earlier in life, how to let go of what's no longer possible.

This portrait is representative of Verian and her days as a teacher. © Laura Sosner Photography

4) When do you feel the most beautiful?

When I'm well rested, and have made an effort to look nice.

5) What’s your favourite beauty tip?

Pears soap and nivea cream. That's all I've ever used for 55 years.

Thank you so much to Verian for participating in the Over 50 & Beautiful Photo Project. Although the project has closed, if you’re a woman over the age of 50 please know that I would still love to photograph and celebrate you. To get in touch, please fill out the form here!