Beauty Knows No Age: Photography Project Highlights Older Australians

An inspiring photography project is beautifully showcasing the spirit of older Australians, proving that age holds no limits and it's never too late to embrace elegance and beauty.

Led by Shannon Smith, a talented photographer from New South Wales, this project captures stunning portraits of seniors aged 80 and above, providing families with cherished keepsakes of their loved ones professionally and artistically.



Referred to as 'The Golden Age Portraits', Smith has named the project to reflect the resilience and strength of a generation that has seen and experienced many impactful events throughout their lives.

'The Golden Age Portraits, as I call them, are the opportunity to preserve the memories of a generation that really didn't have much but really made the most of the situations that they were placed in,' Smith said.


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A new photography project showcasing the beauty of older Australians is proving it's never too late to be glamorous. Credit: Facebook/La Bella Vita Photography - Shannon Smith.



For Smith, this Lake Macquarie-based project is more than just a job; it's a labour of love and a meaningful way to celebrate and document the lives of older Australians.

'It was never about the money for me,' Smith explained. 'I didn't want anyone to miss out purely because their family wasn't in the situation to be able to pay for it. That's why I just took that out of the equation altogether.'



Through her images, Smith aims to share the fascinating stories and wisdom of people who possess 'so much substance', making the work 'the most soul-satisfying work you could do'.

'They have lived through some incredible times, and they've had so little,' she said. 'If we don't document it, that is gone once they leave this earth.'



The project has received glowing reviews from the nonagenarians themselves, who are amazed by their stunning portraits.

'You never get too old,' Esme, one of the stars of The Golden Age Portraits, shared her thoughts on participating in the project. 'I thought I might have been a bit too old... and then I thought “No, you never get too old”,' she said.



Another of Smith's clients, 93-year-old Theresa, who fled the Spanish Civil War for Australia in 1960, has lived through her fair share of challenges. She said this project was one of the few times she's been treated like royalty in her life.

'I feel beautiful,' she beamed.

Key Takeaways

  • NSW photographer Shannon Smith is capturing senior citizens aged 80 and over in a project called 'The Golden Age Portraits'.
  • The project aims to preserve the memories of a generation that lived through challenging times and provide families with professional photographs of their loved ones.
  • Smith removed the financial barrier for families, making the project accessible to all, as she believes it is important to document their stories and experiences.
  • The older Australians featured in the portraits have expressed joy and appreciation for being given the opportunity to be part of the project, with one participant stating, 'You never get too old.'





Stories like these serve as a powerful reminder that age is merely a number, a superficial classification that carries no authority over our authentic selves. Our true value transcends the wrinkles on our skin or the greying of our hair; it resides in the depths of our wisdom, compassion, and resilience.

Let us wholeheartedly celebrate the experiences that have moulded us, the lessons that have fortified us, and the dreams that continue to ignite our spirits. By embracing our inner beauty, we radiate a genuine light that can inspire others to do the same.

We sincerely hope that the story shared today has served as a source of inspiration for all of you members! Feel free to leave your comments in the section below.
 
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