Anyone can get comfortable in front of a camera. Read on for top tips from a 50+ model! Credit: CatherineGraceO

Credit: Coco Rocha Model Camp

Learning to Model is More Than Taking Great Pics

I’ve been fortunate to have received a crash course in modeling and posing for photo shoots since that time. I’ve even had the dream of a lifetime to attend Coco Rocha’s Model Camp to train with one of the top supermodels in the world at the age of 61!

In addition, one of my modeling besties who’s done a zillion shoots with me, Wilhelmina and Paris Fashion Week Runway Model, Jacqueline Depaul, kindly mentored me. She shared endless tips, tricks, and secrets over the years.

I’m delighted to share what I’ve learned from the best of the best along with my own insights and tips with Honey’s wonderful community of women over 50.

And don’t kid yourself that this is only about pictures. Learning to model is about confidence and how you carry yourself … in a photo, on a date, in an interview, or just walking your puppy down the street!

Credit: CatherineGraceO

The evolution of modeling is finally opening up more to diversity and inclusivity. This includes seeing more women with silver hair and wrinkles along with body positivity role models … don’t we all agree that this is a wonderful thing?!

I love seeing women of all ages blossom and grow, in modeling and in life. Age Positivity is my gig. It lights me up and fills me with joy.

Even more, I love sharing my passion and inspiring women over 50 to embrace their unique beauty while helping them to radiate confidence and positive energy from within. As women of a mature age,we have a treasure trove of life experiences to tap into that add immense depth and character to our photographs.

Believe it or not, posing in front of the camera can be magical at any age!

Here are my Top 5 Tips to help you to capture your most radiant beauty, inside and out, via the lens of the camera

1.Natural Light is Your Best Friend

Natural light is flattering at any age, but especially so after 50. The right light in the morning or evening helps to soften the skin,reducing the appearance of wrinkles, along with giving you a natural glow. Whenever possible, shoot in natural light.

Position yourself facing a window or, even better, head to your favorite outdoor places to shoot. If you happen to have a favorite outdoor happy place, mine is the beach, try and shoot there for the best energy.

Pro tip: Skip the middle of the day when the sun is high unless you are in the shade! Overhead lighting of any kind will accentuate wrinkles and darken the eyes.

Credit: CatherineGraceO

2.It’s All Energy!

The camera doesn’t SEE YOU. The camera FEELS YOU! What you feel on the inside is what’s projected through the lens. Your energy, emotions and feelings are the secret sauce to a fabulous photo shoot.

Think of the emotions you wish to convey in your images. Now, feel those feelings. If you want to exude happiness,visualize and feel a happy memory in your life. Really feel into it.

Combine that with some happy, energetic music and you’re off to the races — and to a drop dead gorgeous photo shoot!

3.Embrace Pro Aging Makeup & Face-Lift Tricks

Considering I knew NOTHING about makeup until my 50s, here’s a little secret from the modeling world: the power of contouring. Use makeup to create shadows and highlights that accentuate your features. A touch of highlighter on the cheekbones, a dab on the nose, and a swipe above the brows can create an illusion of a lift. It’s all about enhancing what you already have!

A trick I recently learned from the Boom Beauty celebrity makeup artist is using the Boomstick Glimmer, a subtle creamy highlighter, on your clavicle area. It’s so beautiful when the light reflects on that beautiful area of a woman. I also use it on my cheekbones and my cupids bow above my lips. If I’m doing a swimsuit shoot, I’ll add some to my legs too. All the Boomstick colors are wonderful for women over50. I bring them on every shoot.

Credit: Untold Magazine + CatherineGraceO

4.Stay Photo Conscious, Not Self Conscious

What I mean by this is being aware of how your body is positioned. Keep your posture straight and your shoulders back. At our Fierce Con Events, we have a masterclass, “Projecting Confidence” where Jacqueline Depaul teaches women to raise their clavicles. We call it “Clavicles Up.” Little adjustments can make a big difference in your images.

If you’re standing, try shifting your weight to one leg and pop a hip to add some sass to your stance. Also, gently shifting from side to side, left foot to right foot, gives a bit of movement, resulting in beautiful poses that are lovely and relaxed.

Credit: CatherineGraceO

5.Confidence is Everything.

Take it from me, the girl who had zero confidence when I began this journey into modeling late in life. Yes, YOU CAN fake it until you make it.What I mean by that is simply pretending to be confident helps you to become more confident. Be mindful of what you tell yourself inside of yourself too! Thoughts matter! The mind-body connection is real. What we tell ourselves on the inside shows on the outside!

The most important thing is what you believe about yourself. Change your beliefs. Change your life. Confidence is an inside job. It’s not about how you look, but how you feel. It’s also not a straight shot upward. We are human! That means we have good days and not such good days. Confidence will go up and down.

Remember Maya Angelou’s wisdom: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

When you tell yourself beautiful, empowering thoughts about who you are, you’ll feel that in your being,and that energy will radiate through the lens.

Cheers Beauties! I hope you learned something new that will help you to look and feel more confident and beautiful in your next shoot. And if you’d like more insights, be sure to download my FREE eBook My 7 Powerful Tips For Finding Your Confidence atMidlife.

Now, go rock that photo shoot like a Vogue Cover Girl!

I hope this story encourages you to be bold and confident in your photos and in life! I know I will be taking these tips into my next photo shoot.

What is your best tip on gaining confidence, not only in front of the camera, but in life?

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Credit: CatherineGraceO

Catherine Grace O’Connell is a mentor and coach for women on how to project confidence in their work and in their life from the inside-out! To inquire about working privately or in groups with Catherine, please contact info@catherinegraceo.com and be sure to sign up for her newsletter and give her a follow on Instagram:@catherinegraceo.