Nicolette – 40 Over 40 Women’s Portrait Campaign
Nicolette, 46
I had such an amazing and beautiful day photographing Nicolette. We had met many years ago, lost contact, and then she came across the 40 over 40 portrait campaign on Instagram, and contacted me, and signed up! One of the wonderful things I noticed about Nicolette is that she is calm and extremely present. And I really feel it shows in her stunning portraits too. She wore a gorgeous, green Peridot ring, so sentimental, which belonged to her husband’s late grandmother. It worked well with her choices of black lace, and then black leather dresses.
When she came to see her slideshow of images at the reveal session after her shoot, I told her that I was so inspired by her sassiness in wearing such a bold red lipstick, that I had ‘zhooshed’ up my outfit and worn something in bright pink to a meeting!
I have been described by my friends and family as…
Gently straight-forward. And she is admired for her integrity.
I am most proud of…
I am proud of so many aspects of my life. My relationship with my husband and my teenagers’ accomplishments as young adults. And currently, I’m most proud of using the resources that I had to start a small transportation business called Bunny Bus, offering airport transfers, road trips, and ‘here-and-there trips. It is very rewarding to build a client base by offering a useful service while meeting and connecting with my local community.
My favourite quotes…
“Let every road be a foggy road
and let me find them all.
Let the hours fill me with adventure,
and let my legs ache from the wandering;
I was built for this, and I’ve no use for staying so still” – Tyler Knott Gregson
What advice would I give my 20-year-old self…
Make mentors of people who say and do things that you admire and like. Ask them to elaborate on their life and career choices. Mimic their actions but in your unique and personal way. Have integrity. Stop believing everything you are told. Respect an opinion but make your own mind up. Be mindful that your words and actions are powerful – they can inspire, but can also cause hurt.
We all experience many lifetimes in this one life. What did you find were the most poignant changes as you entered your 40’s?
I changed my opinion that 40 was old. As a child, I was flabbergasted at finding out the age of my parents, and it didn’t occur to me that I would get to their age too! I love being (almost) 47 years old. I appreciate my body, and I am grateful to be healthy. I enjoy Zumba sessions with cold water tidal pool swims with a group of beautiful women.
My thoughts on aging…
It is obvious when I look in the mirror, or when I see myself in photos that I am aging; And whilst the ads promoting reversal of the aging process is initially very tempting, I choose to live a lifestyle of clean-eating and regular exercise to assist in growing older gracefully.
A story I’d like to share…
I have a funny story I would like to share titled “Topless in a Rotterdam office”. I was 20 years old, having just arrived in Holland to begin a year as an au-pair. I was expected to undergo a couple of medical tests for the visa office, one being a mammogram – my first ever. I was dropped off at a medical centre by my host mother and left to ask for assistance from non-English speaking staff to the radiology department.
I was pointed in the direction of a row of plastic chairs which ran along a passage wall and was told to wait my turn to enter a cubicle. I quickly observed that the red light above the cubicle meant that it was occupied, and the green light indicated that it was vacant. When it was my turn to enter the cubicle, I did so and closed the door behind me. The cubicle was a tiny 1-meter by 1-meter box with a second door opposite the door that I had just entered. This door was locked so I knocked on it expecting a nurse to open it and prepare the mammogram. Nobody responded to my knocking so I sat down on the single bench and observed a clothes hook on the wall…and my confused expression in the mirror opposite me. I sat for a while searching for a clue as to what I should do. Not having a mammogram before, I came to the inclusion that the cubicle was a sort of mammogram photo booth, so I removed my shirt and bra, hung it on the clothes hook, and sat staring at the mirror waiting for a flash to go off.
Just then, the previously locked door was abruptly opened by a bemused medical worker who gestured for me to follow him to the radiology department, via an admin office full of workers at their desks, who tried desperately to not make eye contact with me, a streaker clutching her clothes to her half-naked body. The moment was surreal.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment and I knew that I was providing a hilarious dinner-table story for each of those workers that evening!
My 40 over 40 experience…
Monica prepared me weeks in advance as to what to expect on the day of my shoot. I knew I was working with a professional when I saw that Monica had prepared storyboards with the inspirational pictures that I had seen on the internet and sent to her. I felt that Monica took me seriously with poses and mood that was within my comfort zone. I loved her suggestions and poses and attitude, and it shows in my pictures that I felt confident and relaxed. Monica certainly brought out the best in me!
Donna Hay, a make-up artist, applied the perfect palette of colours to my face. I loved the effect that her artistry created and made me feel beautiful and glamorous. Also, whilst we were chatting the hind leg off a donkey, she styled my hair in the most gorgeous bendy waves!
I had an incredible time with Nicolette. One of the best things about doing the 40 over 40 portrait campaign, is that I get to meet so many dynamic, strong, and courageous women. Women who have a story to share. And I get to show them another side of themselves that they may have somehow forgotten, in the chaos of life.
