50 over 50: Celebrating women beginning their Prime

by Candy Puterbaugh
50plus Magazine

Old Moody stands on Portland’s South Waterfront where Zidell Companies once built ships. The building houses offices occupied by arts organizations and outdoor stages for performance art. One small studio here is home to The 50 Over 50 Project.

On a Sunday morning, Robyn Beisell, 65, steps from behind a curtain in a flowing red gown. She emerges not only with a change of clothing, but of perspective — on aging. Already photographed in a black business suit and a mother-of- the-groom dress, she is vibrant in red. This is the first professional photo shoot for the retired third grade teacher.

“My passion is to take the everyday woman and give her an unforgettable celebrity-style magazine photoshoot experience,” says photographer Rachel Hadiashar, 42, who started the project in March.

“Many women haven’t been photographed by themselves since high school. Let’s celebrate that beauty doesn’t diminish with age, embrace the confidence about finally being comfortable in our own skin, and appreciate every scar, every line, and every grey (or purple!) hair.”

Robyn liked the idea of doing something different, fun and freeing. “I didn’t want it to be a standard view of beauty — society’s view of what people of a certain age look like,” she says. Smoothing the gown, she steps into the final stage of her shoot.

“If this project were trying to make people look young and pretty, I wasn’t interested,” says Robyn. “We lump together people in a 50 to 90 age group and call them old or elderly. There’s no other age group we do that with. Every age, every decade, is different.”

Rachel has created a space for women to shine. She’s a master at drawing out personalities and authenticity, saying the project is about capturing the robustness of life at any age.

Robyn’s fourhour session began with a consultation about her attire and how she wished to be seen. Next came hair and makeup styling by Maggie Green, a 30-year veteran specializing in a natural look.

“I don’t want women to think they can only be beautiful after their makeup session,” says Rachel. “It’s all about enhancing what’s already there. You don’t have to look a certain way or have an extraordinary life story to be considered. I am sure to draw out your charm and talent.”

Friendly, talkative and playful, Rachel brings out the best in an equally funloving Robyn, who follows directions amidst laughter and shutter clicks. “Sit on that stool and look out the window, shoulders back; rest your elbow on your knee. Now go over there and stand up straight. You’re in attorney territory with that look!”

Later in the red gown off the studio loaner rack (Rachel calls it her salsa-dancing dress), Robyn swishes and turns joyfully to an infectious Latin beat.

After the shoot, Rachel tapes Robyn’s story and thoughts on being a woman over 50, which may appear online. Later they’ll view the photos and Robyn will take home her favorite, beautifully matted and boxed.

Each session runs $349. The project will culminate with a gallery-style champagne reception displaying the photos.

About Rachel

Raised in a small Michigan town, Rachel’s mother, always with camera in hand, was the documentarian of the family. Rachel had her own long, skinny “spy camera” using 110 film.

Studying flute and earning a Master’s in theology and the arts, Rachel says, “I took staff photos for fellow workers at grad school. People loved my photos, even without a professional camera, calling them the best pictures they had of themselves.”

She spent 10 years in Boston photographing weddings while assisting an MIT architecture professor part time.

“I’m not someone who needs permission to pursue something, so this memory stands out. I called my best friend, a responsible accountant, and asked if I could quit my day job to pursue photography full time,” Rachel says. “After she ran my numbers, she gave her blessing. Soon I was a traveling wedding photographer all over New England and beyond.”

Having children — two sons and a daughter, now nine, seven and three — stretched a planned three month break into a five-year hiatus.

The idea for 50 Over 50 sparked more than a decade ago when Rachel’s photography mentor suggested looking to wise people in the community and photographing their stories.

“Everyone wants to photograph 22-year-olds whose bodies are young,” Rachel says. “That’s easy. That’s clich´ e . I’m a women’s portrait artist and delight in photographing women better than they’ve been photographed before. I’d like to photograph more women over 70. I love the creative process and like working with people whose minds are intelligent and full of spark.”

The women drawn to the project are fascinating, Rachel says. They vary in age, lifestyle and relationship status. Some think there’s nothing interesting about themselves, then light up when Rachel draws out their interests. Most participants haven’t been photographed as adults, don’t feel photogenic or beautiful, and are ready to step up and accept themselves. They’re ready to be seen!

“I feel like I’ve unearthed this treasure,” Rachel says. “I took a shovel and dug in. I believe there’s a revolution happening around age 50 when women are starting to be in the prime of life. I’m meeting amazing individuals who’ve lived full lives and are coming into a new season. I chose intentionally to photograph women older than myself. I’m learning a lot about life and what lies in the future for me.”

A private event celebrating participants is planned for November in Portland. A new 50 Over 50 Project (probably the last according to Rachel) will begin January 2022. Learn more at www.rachelhadiashar.com/50-2/