Embracing Life's Chapters: A Portrait Session with Colleen Gildee

In the fast-paced journey of life, there are moments that deserve to be captured, celebrated, and cherished. One such moment is the transition into the 40s and beyond. We delve into the inspiring experience of Colleen Gildee, who embarked on a transformative portrait session at 45 in my Smithsburg Studio. With candid insights and genuine reflections, Colleen's story provides a refreshing perspective on embracing life's chapters, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and finding joy in self-expression.

From our initial conversation to discussing concepts for her portrait session, Colleen radiated enthusiasm mixed with just a hint of nervousness. She confided how taking center stage was not something she was accustomed to; however, deep down inside her heart whispered that it was time to step out of her comfort zone.

The Promise of the 40s

The 40s, often referred to as the age of wisdom and self-discovery, mark a significant turning point in many people's lives. Colleen's journey through her 40s has been nothing short of fulfilling. This period offers a vantage point to reassess priorities, discard unnecessary worries, and embrace the truly important aspects of life.

“I am three weeks shy of 45, and 40s have been great, as promised. I think it's a time where you realize that all the stuff you worried about is crap, and I think that you just realize what's important, and then you can take all that into the next 40 years. So much more enjoyable.” – Colleen Gildee

A New Kind of Adventure

Colleen's decision to participate in a portrait session came from a place of curiosity and the desire to step outside her comfort zone. The catalyst for her decision was the need for a new work picture. However, she was captivated by the idea of taking part in a campaign that encourages individuals to break free from societal norms and capture their true nature in an unconventional way. It was an opportunity to inject excitement and adventure into her routine.

“So, it just started that I needed a new picture for work. But I saw that a friend had done it and her pictures were fabulous. And I thought, okay, well, if I'm going to have to get some headshots done, maybe this is like a good way to do some other things and get out of my comfort zone a little bit and just do something fun that I wouldn't normally do. And I just like the idea of the campaign. I think as we get older, we just don’t think about doing these things anymore. So, it's just kind of a reminder that like, hey, 40s are great in 50s and 60s and 70s and 80s.” – Colleen Gildee

Behind the Scenes: Colleen’s 40 over 40 Portrait Session

Rediscovering the Joy of the Moment

Let's face it – as years go by, we tend to forget the joy of celebrating ourselves. Colleen's experience serves as a reminder that life's milestones are worth acknowledging at any age. The portrait session wasn't just about capturing her external appearance; it was a journey of self-rediscovery and celebration of her unique story.

Ready, Set, Glow: Colleen's Journey to Preparedness

Preparation played a pivotal role in Colleen's portrait session experience. Detailed communication and guidance helped her feel equipped and ready for the session. The reassurance of having a supportive environment allowed her to confidently bring her personal touch to the experience.

“I definitely felt prepared. All of your emails, they were spectacular. I think I read through them a couple of times just to make sure that I wasn't missing anything. I felt good about the things that I brought. I wasn't sure about it when I was pulling everything out yesterday, and I knew that you had offered to help, so I thought, well, I'm just going to bring all the things and then we can decide to go from there.”  – Colleen Gildee

Stepping into the Spotlight

Although the experience was outside Colleen's comfort zone, she discovered unexpected comfort and ease during the shoot. Stepping into the unfamiliar territory of a professional photo session turned out to be an enjoyable endeavor, fostering newfound self-assurance and a sense of achievement.

“And I felt super comfortable today, and that really surprised me, even, I don't know. Again, it's just out of my comfort zone, but it was fine, and it was fun, so thank you.”  – Colleen Gildee

Capturing Memories, Sharing Legacies

Colleen's motivations for the portrait session extended beyond herself. She recognized the value of creating memories that would resonate with her loved ones. Beyond updating her professional profile, she saw the opportunity to share moments with family members, including her grandmother, who might treasure an updated image of her.

“I definitely need one of the professional ones just to kind of update my profile, and some of the other ones will probably end up at family members. I keep thinking about, like, the last picture my grandmother has of me was probably, like, in my twenty’s, so she might like an updated one and then depending on, I guess, the photos that I like, might really determine where the rest of them go.”  – Colleen Gildee

Conclusion

Colleen Glidee's 40 over 40 portrait session journey is a testament to the power of embracing life's chapters, pushing boundaries, and finding joy in the ordinary and extraordinary moments. It serves as an inspiring reminder that life's journey is a canvas waiting to be filled with vibrant colors of experience, growth, and self-expression.

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All the best,

Diana