Embracing Age: Celebrating Beauty and Confidence Through Captivating Portraits
Meet Joan Quinlan, the amazing lady who recently visited my photography studio in Smithsburg. She came to have her 40 over 40 portrait session with Depiction Portraits, a series of portraits featuring remarkable women like her. Her radiant smile and captivating charm make it hard to believe she is 71 years old. As I positioned my camera lens toward her luminous face, I couldn't help but admire how flawlessly she carried herself. And let me tell you, Joan absolutely rocked her photoshoot! Her confidence and radiant beauty were truly mesmerizing. It's incredible how gracefully she embraces her age, just like a fine wine that only gets better with time.
“Life is meant to be enjoyed by looking for happiness”
-Joan Quinlan
The Wisdom of Age and Cherishing Relationships:
Joan graciously shared what she absolutely adores about this stage of life. “What I love about being this age is being in a position where I'm able to do anything that I want to, mainly because I am healthy. I find that there is just wisdom that comes from what now going on in my 8th decade of six decades of living. And I wish I could have told my younger self that life is meant to be enjoyed by looking for happiness, or with external things like cars and houses and career advancement. When it comes down to it, none of that's really important. What’s important are the relationships you build over the years.
Living in the Present and Connecting with Nature:
During our portrait session, Joan shared a piece of advice she would give to her younger self. With a warm smile, she responded in a friendly tone of voice, "If I were to give my younger self advice, it would be “slow down”. Slow down and really enjoy each day and be present for each day." She emphasized the importance of living in the moment, cherishing every experience that life presents. Joan expressed her regret about not starting yoga earlier in life by saying, "I wish I had started yoga instead in my late 40s. I wish I had been practicing yoga in my 20’s." Moreover, Joan emphasized the importance of connecting with nature every day. Regardless of one's setting or circumstances, she suggested having plants around or taking the time to sit outside and appreciate nature's beauty. "Really take some time every day to either sit in nature, look at nature... Have plants in the house but have nature around you." Joan believed that even amid city life or confined spaces like condos, incorporating elements of nature into our surroundings can bring immense peace and grounding.
Embracing Age: The 40 over 40 portrait session with Joan Quinlan
The 40 over 40 Portrait Session:
When I inquired about her reasons for joining this 40 over 40 portrait session, she explained that she was simply curious and she expressed admiration for the concept of celebrating individuals in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s. Being part of a community of women who embrace their age and are enthusiastic about it appealed to her. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of our ability to control how we look on the outside as a means of expressing ourselves positively. It only requires minimal effort like fixing one's hair to present oneself nicely.
“I was just curious. I just thought it was a great idea 40 over 40. That you, Diana, see that those of us who, you know, are in our 40’s and 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, that we're still beautiful, and that you want your photography to bring out that beauty in us. And that I just wanted to be part of a group of women who are celebrating our age and that we can. That's the other thing that we can control in life is how we look on the outside. Doesn’t take that much to look nice, fix your hair. And that having those moments captured forever on film or in pictures is something that, for me, at 71, when I'm 101, I can look back and say, man, I was pretty hot at 70.”
Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges:
Joan, a wise and experienced woman, imparted a valuable lesson she had acquired throughout the years - a valuable lesson she wished she had learned many decades ago. According to her, when faced with challenges in life, one has two choices for their reaction. They can either adopt a victim mentality and question why these difficulties are happening to them or take a different approach by acknowledging that they have control over how they respond to these challenges. Joan expressed her desire to grasp this notion long ago, understanding that although we may not have full control over everything in life, our reactions can always be within our control. Joan emphasizes the importance of self-discovery – including reading. She emphasizes that no matter the challenges faced, or past traumas endured, one can overcome them by seeking support and assistance. Furthermore, reflecting on those experiences may reveal valuable lessons and unexpected opportunities that could alter the course of one's life.
“No matter what challenge life throws at you, you have two ways of reacting. One is to be a victim and say, why did this happen to me? Or why do these things keep happening to me? Or you can look at whatever challenge you’re facing and know that what you have control over is how you respond to it. And that is something I wish I had learned many, many decades ago, that there's not in life we have a lot that we can control, but we can control how we react. My advice is really to take time to get to know yourself, take time to read, and know that no matter what happens in life, what kind of traumas you may have experienced, you'll get through it. If you reach out and ask for help, you'll get through it. And, when you get on the other side of it and you look back, you'll see that there are some lessons that you can take away from that, but that perhaps what happened in your life turned out to take your life in a direction you wouldn't have thought possible.”
Take a look behind the scenes of Joan's photoshoot in my Smithsburg studio
Joan Quinlan: Guiding You Towards Healing and Growth
Joan is not just your average advocate for public health problem prevention and holistic living. She is a force to be reckoned with, an accomplished and experienced individual who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others. The incredible alchemist of healing with her diverse skill set as a Reiki Master, Sound Healing Practitioner, Yoga Instructor, Transformational Life Coach, and educator, she is here to guide you toward living your best life. Joan has dedicated herself to being a lifelong learner, constantly expanding her knowledge and skills in different healing modalities. On top of that, Joan holds certifications in Sound Therapy, Reiki Usui Master techniques, Meditation Teaching, and Grief Movement Guidance. Joan's real passion lies in helping others navigate through the most challenging times in their lives. Whether it be coping with loss, abuse, or trauma, she stands tall as someone who genuinely cares about guiding individuals toward emotional recovery and moving forward on their journey of healing. She sees herself as a modern-day alchemist; actively engaging in energy healing modalities that hold immense power in transforming deep-rooted emotions underlying human suffering into ones filled with grace, peace, and serenity. Make sure to check out her website to learn more about how she can help you! https://heartcenteredgrowth.com/
Celebrate Your Beauty at Every Stage:
If you are like Joan, a woman who believes in celebrating beauty at every stage of life, then this is your moment to shine. Introducing the 40 over 40 portrait session - an incredible opportunity for women like you to embrace their unique beauty and be part of something truly special. Whether you're turning forty or well beyond, age should never hinder your ability to feel beautiful and confident. So why wait? Join this empowering experience where you can embrace your unique beauty and be a part of something truly special. Let your radiance captivate all who see it. The 40 over 40 sessions are designed exclusively for those who know that true beauty only deepens with time. Don't let any doubts hold you back; instead, step into the spotlight where your radiance will captivate all who see it.
All the best,
Diana