WoW! I can hardly believe that two years have passed since I posted my first AndBloom portrait.
For the past 730 days, I have posted content on this account. One picture, almost every single day, to inspire women with what I believe is beauty. The AndBloom project as a celebration of women over 40, their beautiful outsides, and often even more beautiful insides. More than 80,000 followers of whom 96% of women from countries all over the world are currently following this project that was born to empower and inspire women to age with pride and confidence. My target group of 40+ women who, in my opinion, are still far too little represented in the current media, but fortunately, things are slowly changing.
Two years of AndBloom, two years of building an online community for women. A digital happy place where everyone is accepted, where all subjects can be discussed, and where we are proud of who we are. A concept that originated from my background as a fashion/beauty photographer and my own growing surprise. “Where are all the cool aging ladies?” I wondered during my 30s—women who are visibly aging and wearing their wrinkles like pieces of jewelry. Every woman is unique, every woman is beautiful, regardless of age, origin, religion, physique, etc. From the first portrait, my goal has been to approach each woman the same as a fashion model. I want to show that women can be portrayed differently by using makeup, hairstyling, and fashion styling. That it doesn’t have to be all that slick, perfect, forever young, in real, or unrealistically preserved.
Nowadays, I much prefer to see women of my own age who represent a face cream or a fashion look.
After my 40s, I started to get annoyed by magazines, social media, and television, showing mainly young women who supposedly have to inspire me. Of course, I like to look at a beautiful younger woman in a fashionable outfit with beautiful makeup and fantastic hair. But how great would it be to see that same look shown on an older woman? Nowadays, I much prefer to see women of my own age who represent a face cream or a fashion look. Women who know what it means to have older skin, thinning hair. Women who don’t want to sell you a lie but want to help you during your beautiful journey into aging. And I really like that woman to look like me, my age, 40+ or, somewhat, older than me, because they are often an inspiration. Simply put, a woman I identify with.
The message: we are beautiful, older, yes, but gorgeous nonetheless. I have learned a lot in the past two years, from the “bloomers” I photographed and from the women with whom I have built an Insta friendship, their opinions, advice, thoughts. I learned from my own journey into aging, my way of looking, thinking, feeling.
Of course, thank you! To all my beautiful bloomers, thank you for the magnificent contribution and inspiring words. The followers, thank you all for supporting me, supporting my journey. Without your comments, sharing, and participation in the discussions that arise here, many women worldwide would be less inspired. A big thank you to my incredible team that helps me translate my vision into an image. I never thought beforehand that this project would give me so much satisfaction.
The giveaway
Gifts are part of a celebration! Don’t forget to follow the giveaway.
