Finding Freedom With Age - Amber’s Story
Amber has spent most of her life doing what so many women do: pouring every ounce of energy into her family, her career, and her faith. As a wife of nearly 30 years, the mother of two grown and accomplished children, and a teacher with over three decades of experience, she knew what it meant to work hard, love deeply, and persevere through life’s challenges. But as I am sure many women experience, now that her kids are grown, she asked the question, “Who am I?” As a mom of two little kids, it resonated with me. Through this experience, I watched Amber let her guard down and think about who she is. It was amazing to witness and I am so thankful for Amber’s participation in the 40 OVER 40 Campaign! Fun fact-I photographed Amber’s daughter when she was graduating high-school. It was so exciting to see her application come through and understand the courage it took for her to apply!
For years, Amber juggled the demands of being a working mom. Teaching had always been a labor of love, but it could be exhausting. At times, she doubted whether she could keep it all together. There were moments when fear, insecurity, and exhaustion loomed large. But whenever those feelings crept in, Amber turned to her faith. She often whispered prayers of strength, asking God to guide her through the chaos. And He always did. Slowly, Amber learned to trust that she could overcome anything, one step at a time. She said, “I always wanted to provide the best life possible for my kids. Teaching is a hard job that can be very draining and I didn't always have much energy left at the end of the day. It was a struggle at times and I often wanted to quit!” Once again, this resonates with any mom.
Her children grew up. Her daughter followed in her footsteps and became a teacher, and her son forged his own path as a financial advisor. Amber was filled with pride but also felt a strange emptiness that she couldn’t quite put into words. After years of pouring into her family and career, she realized she’d left little room for herself.
Now in her 50s, Amber had come to love the freedom and flexibility of this stage of her life. With her children grown and her teaching career well-established, she finally had some space to focus on herself. But focusing on herself didn’t come naturally—it felt foreign, even a little selfish. So when an opportunity came her way—a unique portrait experience that celebrated women over 40—Amber was intrigued by it.
Amber enjoys getting dressed up. She had inherited that from her mom and granny, two women who always dressed well, wore makeup, and carried themselves with confidence. But spending time and money on portraits of herself? That seemed overindulgent.
Still, she was bold and applied for the campaign. The insecurities rang loud but she hit the submit button. And I’m so glad she did!
On the day of her 40/40 portrait session, Amber felt nervous. She wasn’t a model. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention. She said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the 40/40 portrait experience. The entire process from dress fittings, to make-up and hair, to posing for pictures was a lot of fun! I was very pleased with the results! I actually felt a little bit guilty for splurging on myself for pictures, but I'm glad that I did! Jessica was fun to work with!”
Amber’s favorite part of the experience? How these photos showed her pieces of herself she had never noticed. For the first time in ages, Amber wasn’t focused on her insecurities. She saw herself as the strong, resilient, and beautiful woman she truly was. When I look at Amber’s photos I am instantly drawn to her beautiful eyes. The makeup enhanced their color and brightness beautifully! Also, can we just take a moment for her smile?! So friendly and happy!
The experience was more than just a photo shoot; it was a rediscovery of who Amber was beyond the roles she played. When Amber viewed the final portraits, she was hesitant at first. Like many women, she had spent years being critical of herself in photos—always finding something to pick apart. But this time was different. She said, “It seems weird to say it, but I really like my portraits! I had a difficult time choosing my favorites.” Now let’s be honest, when was the last time you said, “I really like that photo of myself?” For the women that come through my door, this is something I talk with them about. I prepare them to LOVE their images and give themselves permission to LOVE an image of themself. This isn’t in a haughty or prideful way. This is a healthy, confident way.
Amber didn’t just walk away from her session with stunning portraits; she walked away with a new perspective. The experience reminded her of the importance of pausing to celebrate the woman she had become—a woman who had weathered challenges, overcome insecurities, and relied on her faith to guide her through life’s toughest moments.
The portraits were more than just pictures; they were a tangible reminder to embrace this season of life with confidence and joy. She encourages other women by saying, “I highly recommend this experience for other women. I also would recommend a mother/daughter session, which is something I'd still love to do!”
Amber’s story is one that so many women over 40 can relate to. Life has a way of pulling us in so many directions, of asking us to give so much to others that we often forget to give to ourselves. But Amber’s experience is proof that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself—to see yourself as you truly are. For women over 40, especially those who’ve spent years building careers, raising families, and caring for others, it’s easy to forget that you deserve to be celebrated. You are more than your roles. You are a woman with a story. What would it feel like to let your guard down and gain confidence in yourself that will carry over into every area of your life?
You’re in luck! You can apply to be part of another campaign celebrating women over the age of 40. Head over to this PAGE to see what it would look like for your own session!
Amber-from the bottom of my heart-thank you for being vulnerable and stepping outside of your comfort zone. ❤️
