Celebrating Life at 76: Photography Session with Linda Easterly in my Smithsburg Studio
I'm absolutely thrilled to share this stunning portrait of Linda with you all! It was captured on August 9th, a truly special day as it marked her 76th birthday. Linda, at the age of 76, embodies the spirit of living life to the fullest and embracing age with grace. From the moment you lay eyes on her radiant smile and twinkling eyes in this portrait, you can tell that she exudes an aura of confidence and contentment. This remarkable woman has not only defied societal expectations but shattered them entirely by proving that beauty knows no boundaries when it comes to age. In this article, we delve into Linda's remarkable journey, her thoughts on aging, and the wisdom she imparts to women of all ages.
A Milestone at 76
Linda's 76th birthday was not just another date on the calendar; it was a significant milestone in her life. She sees each year as a milestone in itself, regardless of age. Her belief that age should not limit one's experiences is truly inspiring. It challenges the conventional notion that life's excitement diminishes as we grow older. Linda's story tells us that every day can be an adventure, and every year can hold new opportunities.
“Today is August 9, and it is my 76th birthday. And this was a gift for my husband. To me, it's a milestone. I’m of the belief that just because you turn 50 or 60 or 70 or 80, those don't have to be milestones. Any given year in your life is a milestone. I really do.” - Linda Easterly
The Power of Self-Esteem
One of the most touching aspects of Linda's journey is her honesty about her self-esteem. She openly admits that, like many of us, there were times when she didn't feel good about herself. Life can throw challenges at us that shake our confidence. However, Linda found a way to rejuvenate her self-esteem through an unexpected source - a portrait session with Diana.
When Linda saw an advertisement for Diana's portrait session, something clicked within her. She realized that she needed this experience to feel good about herself once again. It's a powerful message that speaks to women of all ages: never underestimate the power of self-esteem and self-love.
“My husband showed it to me, and I thought, wow, I need that. I need that right now in my life. We just recently moved, and I needed something to make me feel really good about myself, because I kind of stopped feeling good about myself. Self-esteem was at a low.” - Linda Easterly
Sharing Life's Stories
Linda's perspective on life goes beyond self-esteem. She believes that women, especially those in their later years, should have opportunities to share their stories. Life is a journey with its fair share of rough patches, regardless of one's background or circumstances. Linda's words remind us that sharing our stories can be therapeutic not only for ourselves but for others who may find solace and inspiration in them.
“I think that women my age at 76 need to have more opportunities like this to maybe be able to tell a little bit of their story, maybe, and a little bit of what their life was like, because I think we all hit rough patches in life. I don't know anybody that hasn't hit in a rough patch. Even millionaires and billionaires hit rough patches.” - Linda Easterly
The Beauty of Aging
Linda's journey also challenges societal beauty standards. She didn't aspire to be a supermodel in her photo session; instead, she wanted to be herself. Her poses weren't about conforming to stereotypes but about revealing her true self. It's a testament to the beauty of aging, the lines on our faces that tell stories, and the authenticity that comes with embracing who we are.
“This has been so much fun. But I think it's more than fun, because did I feel like a model? No. Did I want to feel like a model? No. I just wanted to feel like me having fun and doing sexy poses, semi funny poses, serious poses, poses that showed who I am, the inside coming outside. And it's probably the best birthday present I've ever had.” -Linda Easterly
Celebrating Life at 76: Linda just having Fun during her 40 over 40 Portrait Session in my Smithsburg Studio
Cherishing Independence
One remarkable aspect of Linda's life was her five-year adventure with her husband, traveling the country in an RV. These years were filled with unique experiences and a sense of independence that many yearn for. It's a reminder that life's greatest adventures often happen when we break away from routine and embrace the unknown.
“Probably the best part of my life was the five years that my husband and I did full time RVing across this country. The people we met, the country we discovered, and above all, just to live life on our terms. And we stopped putting the family first. Still love my family. I would do anything for them. But we took those five years out just for us. Wonderful mishaps. Funny mishaps.” -Linda Easterly
“If I were to give women my age one piece of advice, it would be to listen to your internal voice. People call it intuition. People call it their Spidey senses but listen to your internal voice because you got a lot more left at this age.”
-Linda Easterly
Listen to Your Inner Voice
Linda's advice for women her age is simple but profound: "If I were to give women my age one piece of advice, it would be to listen to your internal voice. People call it intuition. People call it their Spidey senses but listen to your internal voice because you got a lot more left at this age. More so now than our parents did, our mother did. I lost my mom when she was young. And it was really sad because the women back then that were born in the they did was cook and clean and raise kids. I still did that basically in the got married young at 21. That’s how I was raised, to cook, clean, keep house and have children. So, after the son was born, I said, that's it." -Linda Easterly
A Good Life
Despite the chaos and challenges of the world, Linda's perspective remains positive. She believes that life, no matter how crazy it may seem, is still good. It's a reminder that our outlook on life plays a significant role in our overall happiness and well-being.
Conclusion
In a world that often sets predefined roles and expectations for women, Linda's story stands as a testament to embracing life at any age. Her journey reminds us that every year is a milestone, and every moment is an opportunity to rediscover ourselves, find joy, and share our stories.
If you want to capture your own journey and celebrate your unique spirit, book your portrait session with Depiction Portraits by Diana. Embrace your age with grace and create timeless memories.
Book your session today and let your story shine.
All the best,
Diana