Melissa Professional Headshot in our Warm and Welcoming Smithsburg Studio
Allow me to introduce you to Melissa Bard, a woman with both grace and wisdom. A remarkable individual who recently had the most amazing professional headshot session in our warm and welcoming Smithsburg Studio. Melissa at age of 54, has lived a life full of beautiful moments, raising two wonderful children, and embracing the joy of being a grandparent to three adorable grandchildren. When I inquired about her perspective on this stage of life, she shared her thoughts on life, adventures, and the importance of spreading kindness and support. Through both ups and downs, she learned a valuable lessons that have shaped her into the amazing person she is today.
“I would say to young people is, don’t be so defined with your life plan that you don't take chances and make mistakes.”
- Melissa Bard
Embracing Freedom and New Experiences
Now in the prime of her life, Melissa feels more liberated than ever. In this very moment, she is relishing in the joy and freedom that comes from no longer being consumed by other people's opinions or expectations. It seems as though a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, allowing her to embrace a newfound lightness in navigating life's choices and decisions. This newfound freedom led her to our studio for a fun-filled professional headshot session!
“I'm in this midpoint of my life, life is much what I expected it to be, with some disappointments and some changes and things I didn’t expect throughout the course of it. But I'm enjoying it. I'm more free at this point to not care as much what other people think and to do things that I want to do, which is why I wanted to do this session, just experience things I haven't done before.” – Melissa Bard
Melissa Bard - Gorgeous Behind the Scenes for 40 over 40 Portrait Session
Embrace Change and Take Chances
Melissa shared some incredible advice to all young souls out there. She encourages you not to be too hard on yourselves with rigid life plans. Embrace change, take those chances, and don't be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way. Sometimes, the best adventures happen when you least expect them! So don't be afraid to let go of those preconceived notions and explore new paths—you never know what incredible things may lie ahead!
“What I would say to young people is, don’t be so defined with your life plan that you don't take chances and make mistakes. It’s okay to change course, and you might find that you do something you never thought that you would do before, and it would make you very happy.” – Melissa Bard
Finding Your Happiness & A Ray of Kindness in a Dark World
Melissa believes that each of us has our own unique path to happiness. Success means something different to everyone, so go ahead and define what it means to you. Be true to yourself, and you'll find the happiness you've been seeking all along. Melissa has seen her share of life's challenges, and she knows that the world can sometimes be a bit gloomy. But she firmly believes in the power of kindness. A little act of compassion can brighten someone's day and have a ripple effect on the world around us.
“I also think everyone should create their own definition of success. What that looks like is different for every person, and I think we should all celebrate each other and as women, support each other and try to be more kind to everyone. The world we live in is a dark place a lot of the time, and we need to remember how valuable each of us is and cherish what we have in the lives we have.” - Melissa Bard
The Decision to Participate
When I asked her what made her decide to participate in the 40 over 40 project, she said... "I was looking for new headshots for work because I haven't done any in a few years, and I had the opportunity to talk about this session. And I thought, this is a great project in general to look at 40 women over 40." - Melissa Bard
With a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm, she embarked on a transformative journey, ready to explore new facets of her identity. The idea of being part of a project that celebrates women over 40 intrigued her, and she knew it was a chance to embrace her unique beauty.
Nervousness and Encouragement
While excited about the result of the beautiful portraits of herself, she admitted to feeling a little nervous about the entire process. It was a completely new experience for her, and she had never done anything similar before. However, the support and guidance provided throughout the journey were immense.
"I was a little nervous about the process because I've never done anything like this before. But there was so much help and guidance and suggestions throughout the process. So, while I will probably choose a couple of headshots to use professionally, I also am excited to see all of the other looks that are different for me and just have some very beautiful portraits of myself. " - Melissa Bard
“We should all celebrate each other and as women, support each other and try to be more kind to everyone.” - Melissa Bard
Embracing the Experience
"It's been a great experience, and I'm very thankful to participate." – Melissa Bard
The journey of participating in the "40 over 40" campaign became an empowering experience for her. It was a transformative process that led her to embrace herself fully, transcending societal expectations and breaking barriers of ageism. The images captured during the campaign were not just photographs; they became a testament to her strength, confidence, and beauty.
Conclusion
Melissa Bard's story is one of inspiration, reminding us that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, embracing every new experience and opportunity that comes our way. Her journey as part of the "40 over 40" project highlights the importance of being true to ourselves, spreading kindness, and embracing change. Let us all take her valuable advice to heart and find our own unique paths to happiness and success.
Book your professional headshots now and capture the essence of your unique beauty and personality! Don't miss the chance to experience a transformative journey like Melissa Bard did with our "40 over 40" campaign. Embrace the opportunity to celebrate yourself and create stunning portraits that showcase the best version of you. Contact us today to schedule your session and create memories that will last a lifetime. You may also send me an email if you have further question at diana@depictionportraits.com.
All the best,
Diana