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Final images from my pandemic project #Forty+ Fee

Final images from my pandemic project #Forty+

Feeling grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know so many inspiring people along the way.

And my favourite nugget of advise…Turning 40 is a game changer. Enjoy the ride 💫

“I worked as a model for all of my 20s and half of my 30s - my entire identity was the 'retouched' version of myself & I now find myself quite averse to having my picture taken - the raw reality can be hard to look at.

As a working makeup artist in the 'beauty' industry, I personally feel that there is a general 'fed-upness' with the 'forever young & skinny' narrative. We want to see women as they are, their own best and well selves, not some cut & paste plastic version of beauty - it gives me much joy when I get to a woman over the age of 60 and beyond's makeup and they rediscover a part of themselves that they thought was lost to age - you can shine wherever you're at.

Aging 'gracefully' is almost a term that signifies a noble goal in some way - it speaks so loudly to our societal standards and how seeing yourself age can feel like huge loss. At 40 I felt good about aging naturally - at 43, I may not be so averse to mechanical intervention (my bank account may dictate that!). While I can't deny that some days you feel like your childhood projected version of an old person, I love that I care less and less about other people's opinions and that I am at ease with being with me as myself.

Women in their 40s are a special kind of powerful - many of us have been managing homes, work, families & loved ones and even businesses all at once for years - exhausting! Our beauty lies in our experience, our wisdom, our championing of others and our determination to keep going - if you can be content with how you look (however you approach that) while doing so - then all power to you.”

Sjaniel, 43

#Forty+
#personalproject
#unretouched
#womensupportingwomen
#equalityforall
#portraitphotographer
#alisaconnan

"It’s not just for society, it’s also for pare

"It’s not just for society, it’s also for parents to instil confidence in their children, so they don’t feel pressured. My family have made me feel beautiful…All those crevices and wrinkles show a part of my journey in life; a blessed fantastic life.”

Deanne, 50

#Forty+

“My experience of embracing being non-binary has

“My experience of embracing being non-binary has been extremely empowering, as I’ve found that it has made people more intrigued to make my acquaintance.

Now that I’m older and more self-assured I’ve found my own natural sense of style, that works for me.

I’m totally confident and stronger in my mind and body.”

G, 56

#forty+

“As a Fashion Editor, I'm normally on the other

“As a Fashion Editor, I'm normally on the other side of the camera, so that means I am over critical. This image was captured during lockdown, when I was totally unconcerned about how I looked as I wasn't going out to meetings or seeing people in a work context. I think that the fact that I wasn't wearing make-up and was in off-duty clothes made me feel more relaxed. Retouching images is prevalent across social media and it's creating mental health issues for women of all ages who think they have to look a certain way, so I'm really happy that this photograph is unretouched.

At the time when the picture was taken, my hair had grown greyer and longer than it had ever been as I hadn't been to the hairdresser for about a year and I wore it in plaits to keep it out of the way. As I didn't have to wear a variety of different looks for work I wore denim shorts all summer and for as long as I could into winter. I was spending a lot of time outside in nature and the only people I saw were my daughter, granddaughters and my neighbours, so I was my natural self and I found this really freeing.

I'm 63 and although I have experimented in the past with non surgical procedures during lockdown I didn't see much difference in my face without them. I used to think I would have to go down that route as I got older. Right now I'm okay with ageing, although I'm not saying I would never have anything done. I think because we see women in the public eye having anti ageing procedures we think it's something we will all need to do at a certain point, but actually the more you have done the more you think you need. I have taken collagen supplements over the past year but it's hard to tell if that actually does anything. I think I've just been lucky in that my Mum has great skin and few wrinkles and she's 95.

Across all media I think older women are at last becoming more visible, but there is a lot more work to be done.

In the past I used to think I couldn't admit my age, but now I do, and it's had a positive effect as I've never been as busy as I am now.”

Wendy, 62

#forty+

“Being any age is great. Through my career as a

“Being any age is great. Through my career as a photographer I have had the privilege of photographing people of ages, shapes, sizes. This has shown me so much about confidence and owning your self no matter how you look.”

Violeta, 41

#forty+

"I prefer my mind at this age. Apart from the whir

"I prefer my mind at this age. Apart from the whirlwind of menopause, it’s mostly at peace and that’s enough these days. In my youth I wanted to be happy all the time and it’s just not a possibility with the various happenings in our lives. Not all of life is cartwheels & rainbows. I accept this now.

If we are lucky to live a full life, it’s the ‘things’ people remember about us and not the shape of our face or colour of our hair. That’s how I remember people. How they made me feel and I hope that I make an impact on their life for the better. I remember laughter and people’s smiles.

I’ve had a colourful life and many careers from writing Science hypothesis to managing musicians. I was even a comedy Journalist once upon a time. This is what people will remember - who I was and those that don’t... well, they just don’t. I’m 52 now and the healthiest I’ve ever been."

Jude, 52

#Forty+

Nadira is the type of person who glows from the in

Nadira is the type of person who glows from the inside out. We met a few years back and I always admired how she embraced her grey hair. Within a very short time I was hooked on her energy and we’ve been friends ever since.

I’ve learnt a lot from her about holistic health over the years and she continues to inspire me on my new journey as I’m training to be a health coach 🍃

Nadira chose to wear the coat she bought herself after her son was born. It’s hard to put yourself first as a new mum sometimes and it obviously still meant a lot to her. I genuinely gave me joy hearing how she was able to celebrate herself in this small way.

"I'm learning to be more mindful of my existence thinking more carefully about what I can offer to this world. In my work I feel fortunate enough to share insight and build confidence in women whom often see their flaws before themselves when looking in the mirror, when I often see their resilience, bravery and commitment."

Nadira, 48

#Forty+

Amma, 43 Taken just a few days before her daughte

Amma, 43

Taken just a few days before her daughter arrived into the world, Amma was generous enough to share these previous moments with me.

Motherhood has challenged me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated and having a daughter has made me look at the world differently. It’s hard to counteract the consistent messaging our children are exposed to that values appearance over substance.

Throughout this project, I was interested in speaking to each person about their experience with their external appearance, how it has served them and how it feels to see it change over the years. Some people can openly embrace every line and grey hair with gratitude though it’s a lot harder for most. It’s no wonder as we’ve been taught to fear growing old for our entire adult lives. While men are given the title ‘silver fox’ and male actors get more role opportunities in their later years, the opposite is the case for most women. A youthful appearance can be a condition of being hired and then that same person will be criticised by the masses for having ‘work done’. It’s madness, it’s sexist, and it’s totally unequal.

I look at my mother and I am so thankful she never had the pressure or easy access to change the way she has grown into herself with age. To me, she is so beautiful.

#forty+

Forty+ is my pandemic project. Having the time t

Forty+ is my pandemic project.

Having the time to reflect on what a privilege it is to age, I wanted to document women & non-binary people who all happen to be over the age of 40 in a raw & beautiful way.

There is so much time, energy and money poured into trying to convince us of the importance of external youth, often with little regard for our inner terrain.

"I want to see what happens to my face. I want to see the life I’ve lived.
I really loved seeing my own image as it is, unretouched.”

Morag, 62 years old

#forty+

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫 . Thank you

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫
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Thank you to an incredible team @sam_spruell @ddapersonalpublicity @katerosemorris @morag_ross_makeup_artist @carolinacrona
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Photographed on location in London 😷 📸
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#staysafe #backtowork #portraitphotographer #fashionphotographer #celebrityphotographer #alisaconnan #samspruell #actor #snowwhiteandthehuntsman #legend #taken3 #thecounselor

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫 . Thank you

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫
.
Thank you to an incredible team @sam_spruell @ddapersonalpublicity @katerosemorris @morag_ross_makeup_artist @carolinacrona
.
Photographed on location in London 😷 📸
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#staysafe #backtowork #portraitphotographer #fashionphotographer #celebrityphotographer #alisaconnan #samspruell #actor #snowwhiteandthehuntsman #legend #taken3 #thecounselor

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫 . Thank you

New press shoot with Sam Spruell 💫
.
Thank you to an incredible team @sam_spruell @ddapersonalpublicity @katerosemorris @morag_ross_makeup_artist @carolinacrona
.
Photographed on location in London 😷 📸
.
#staysafe #backtowork #portraitphotographer #fashionphotographer #celebrityphotographer #alisaconnan #samspruell #actor #snowwhiteandthehuntsman #legend #taken3 #thecounselor

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
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Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
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Model Blythe @blytheet @wild.management

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
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Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
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Model Kidd @theeyecasting

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
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Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
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Model Nellie @nevsmodels

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
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Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
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Model Latifa @namedmodels

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
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Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
.
Model Olamide @yakubumide @wild.management

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @lou

New work for @no_reply_mag with beauty editor @loudartford_mua & hair by @carolinacrona 🙌
.
Did you know that the average lipstick wearing person ingests over 2kg of lipstick over their life? Time to start thinking about what we put on our lips 👄
.
Model Dylan @nevsmodels
@n44sei

The Activists “You may think that what happens

The Activists

“You may think that what happens in Hollywood doesn’t affect you. You’re wrong. My darlings, who do you think is curating your reality? Who is showing you who and what you want to be?”
― Rose McGowan, Brave @rosemcgowan

When The Times asked me if I was available to photograph Rose McGowan, I dropped everything and turned up the following day. I was told we’d probably have 10-15mins of her time. 45mins into the shoot we were still in a creative flow & neither of us wanted it to end.

Multi-media artist, writer & thought leader, she’s probably one of the most powerful & interesting person I’ve ever collaborated with.

#equallenstakeover #equallens #rosemcgowan #activist #artist #writer #thoughtleader #portraitphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan

The Activists “People still refuse to see trans

The Activists

“People still refuse to see transgender women as women' Munroe Bergdorf @munroebergdorf

Model & activist Munroe Bergdorf campaigns for inclusivity for all.

Munroe & I worked together when she was cast to be the face of lingerie line Bluebella’s Valentines range. Being asked to work with people who constantly strive to move the dial on how the public and the media perceive and treat minorities is a big reason of why I love what I do. Munroe’s work has opened up the conversation about trans lives, sexuality, gender identity & racism in the mainstream media.

#equallenstakeover #equallens #munroebergdorf #activist #translivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #genderequality #queerpride #portraitphotographer #beautyphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan @alisaconnan

Activism is something that I’m passionate about

Activism is something that I’m passionate about & I’m grateful to have learnt more from each of these powerhouse women.

Big thanks to @equallens for asking me to takeover their Instagram page this week.

Self professed 'Feminist-in-progress’ @jameelajamilofficial started @i_weigh 2 years ago, which aims to open a radical inclusive space on social media - honestly, I’ve learnt something from each & every person she’s introduced me to through the podcast.

It covers everything from fat acceptance, racial & gender equality and Jameela is a massive advocate for the LGBTQI+ community.

This unpublished image is a candid moment we had on set many moons ago & is 100% not retouched 📸

#equallenstakeover #equallens #jameelajamil #feminist #equality #fatacceptance #blacklivesmatter #translivesmatter #activist #iweigh #unretouched #portraitphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan

After being asked to take over @equallens instagra

After being asked to take over @equallens instagram this week, I’ve been thinking about the work that truly represents the issues I care deeply about and I was so happy to go back and edit these images of Ronx, Julie & Russell. The series challenges gender norms & honestly, I just loved working and creating with these lovely humans.

Ronx ‘They/Them/Theirs’ @dr_ronx

#equallenstakeover #equallens #unretouched #gendernonconforming #queer #pride #lgbtqia #blackandwhite #personalproject #portraitphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan

After being asked to take over @equallens instagra

After being asked to take over @equallens instagram this week, I’ve been thinking about the work that truly represents the issues I care deeply about and I was so happy to go back and edit these images of Ronx, Julie & Russell. The series challenges gender norms & honestly, I just loved working and creating with these lovely humans.

"Being gender non-conforming means I'm free to express my lived otherness as a fabulous fruitcake. What a privilege and my goodness it's fun" Julie @theholestar

#equallenstakeover #equallens #unretouched #gendernonconforming #queer #pride #lgbtqia #blackandwhite #personalproject #portraitphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan

After being asked to take over @equallens instagra

After being asked to take over @equallens instagram this week, I’ve been thinking about the work that truly represents the issues I care deeply about and I was so happy to go back and edit these images of Ronx, Julie & Russell. The series challenges gender norms & honestly, I just loved working and creating with these lovely humans.

Julie and Russella met on the East London queer scene. "Being gender non-conforming means I'm free to express my lived otherness as a fabulous fruitcake. What a privilege and my goodness it's fun" Julie @theholestar

#equallenstakeover #equallens #unretouched #gendernonconforming #queer #pride #lgbtqia #blackandwhite #personalproject #portraitphotographer #londonphotographer #alisaconnan

This lovely human @susiewoosie12 has narrated #MyM

This lovely human @susiewoosie12 has narrated #MyMumsATwat by @made_by_noush 💥
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Thank you @ewtmakeup @brookeneilsonhair @ddapersonalpublicity #susanwokoma #portrait #portraitphotographer #femalephotographer #londonphotographer #royalcourttheatre #audible #enolaholmes #truthseekers #yearoftherabbit

- Two Meters Of Separation - Honoured to be a si

- Two Meters Of Separation -

Honoured to be a sitting alongside so many talented female & non-binary image makers on the winners list!

This image is from my personal project archive. In this series, I wanted to capture the beauty in moments of deep connection. I’ve always been interested in the connection between identical twins & I’m so grateful to @theflaggram for trusting me to document them in this way.

- Born Together Staying Together -

Congratulations to the other winners. Follow them & their work 🙌
Sophie Harris-Taylor @sophieharristaylor
Gabrielle Motola @gmotophotos
Serena Brown @_serenabrown
Vic Lentaigne @viclentaigne
Bria Woods @briawoodsphotography
Polly Tootal @pollytootal
Tami Aftab @tamiaftab

Thank you @equallens @jakijo & to the judges.

Proud to be awarded 1st runner-up alongside these

Proud to be awarded 1st runner-up alongside these talented female & non-binary image makers. Thank you @equallens 📸
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Our brief “Two Meters of Separation”
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1st Runner-Up - Alisa Connan @alisaconnan
2nd Runner-Up - Gabrielle Motola @gmotophotos
Highly Commended - Serena Brown @_serenabrown
Highly Commended - Vic Lentaigne @viclentaigne
Highly Commended - Bria Woods @briawoodsphotography
Highly Commended - Polly Tootal @pollytootal
Highly Commended - Tami Aftab @tamiaftab
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#EqualLensCompetition #2metersofseparation #equallens #winners #canon #equallensunites #photographycompetition #womenphotographers #strongwomen #femaletalent #nonbinaryphotographers #5050photography #photography #alisaconnan

The last shot of the day & my total favourite ❤️These girls rock @georgiehobday @denienm and so grateful for such a lovely talented team 🙌 @morag_ross_makeup_artist @darrenfowlerhair @sachini_creates
@theststyle @suqqu_uk_official .⠀⠀⠀⠀
#sundaytimesstyle #beauty #glowingskin #nudetones #flawless #redlips #beautyphotographer #londonphotographer #femalephotographer #womenXwomen #suqqu #alisaconnan

The last shot of the day & my total favourite ❤️These girls rock @georgiehobday @denienm and so grateful for such a lovely talented team 🙌 @morag_ross_makeup_artist @darrenfowlerhair @sachini_creates
@theststyle @suqqu_uk_official .⠀⠀⠀⠀
#sundaytimesstyle #beauty #glowingskin #nudetones #flawless #redlips #beautyphotographer #londonphotographer #femalephotographer #womenXwomen #suqqu #alisaconnan

Building it up with @morag_ross_makeup_artist @the

Building it up with @morag_ross_makeup_artist @theststyle 💫⠀⠀
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MUA @morag_ross_makeup_artist⠀⠀
Hair @darrenfowlerhair ⠀⠀
Models @georgiehobday @denienm ⠀⠀
Creative @sachini_creates @suqqu_official⠀⠀⠀
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#sundaytimesstyle #beauty #glowingskin #nudetones #flawless #beautyphotographer #londonphotographer #femalephotographer #womenXwomen #suqqu #alisaconnan

Unpublished bare beauty with @morag_ross_makeup_ar

Unpublished bare beauty with @morag_ross_makeup_artist @theststyle 💫⠀
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MUA @morag_ross_makeup_artist⠀
Hair @darrenfowlerhair ⠀
Models @georgiehobday @denienm ⠀
Creative @sachini_creates @suqqu_official⠀⠀
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#sundaytimesstyle #beauty #glowingskin #nudetones #flawless #beautyphotographer #londonphotographer #femalephotographer #womenXwomen #suqqu #alisaconnan

Bts for @suqqu_uk_official & @theststyle 🎥 . .

Bts for @suqqu_uk_official & @theststyle 🎥 .
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#makeup @morag_ross_makeup_artist
#creativedirector @sachini_creates
#artdirector @chrisagiusburke
#seniordesigner @isabellalexa
#hair @darrenfowlerhair
#writer @joglanvilleblackburn
#editor @emmabower89
#projectmanager @georgieharwood88
#models @denienm & @georgiehobday
#videographer | @_rubenalvarado_ .
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#internationalwomensday #suqqu #portraitphotography #beautyphotography #makeupartist #photoshoot #diversity #modellife #newwork #bafta #makeup #womensupportingwomen #genderequality #femaletalent #sneakpeek #outnow #bts #videography #studiotime #onset

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