edu LIBRARY

really enjoyed reading this ,great positive post Maria, congratulations on your new carer ,

phillip

More power to 40+ models!

I’m starting at 38, and am so glad you posted this…I needed to hear some good advice and encouragement!

I have worked with numerous 40+ models and love shooting them!

Thank you for the encouragement and realistic tips.

I enjoy working with models in their 40′s and over, they don’t have the attitudes of some of the younger models. And some of them even have a great body for lingerie and nudes. They don’t all have to be a perfect 10. I have worked with some 40yo’s that would put a 20yo to shame.

I work with many over 40 models, in fact one is 59 and specializes in fine art nudes. She still models often for artists and photography students doing college assignments. That is indeed an entire different world but one that is very rewarding to both the model and the photographers and artists she works with.

Finally, an older model speaking about acting your age. I get so tired of seeing 40+ models wearing totally inappropriate wardrobe for their age. The vast majority of older models are trying to relive their youth instead of embracing reality.

Rock on, lady! Thank you for the inspiration.

I always said! nothing is impossible in life! ….. all what you do not want to happen! always goes !!…. everything just as you want to happen …. also can become reality! and you are one of the best example! proud of you! succes !!! you gonna make it

the way i see it, women are beautiful no matter what their age. there shouldn’t be anything to hold a woman back least of all her age. and as long as they feel good about themselves they should keep on modeling. the easiest way for a 40 plus model to make is to get out there and go at it. any 40 plus models reading this send me a message and let’s start shooting…no i’m not trying to round up business here. just showing how easy it is…

It’s all about knowing your instrument and feeling comfortable with who you are and how you see yourself. This asset is often the province of older women.

Thank you for writing this article.
Best, Kathy
47 (October 16, 1964)

Awesome article Maria!!!! You know I am a fan and I always admire all of your work. I think that you are so gorgeous and such a mentor for others!!!! We definitely need more mature women discovering themselves!!! You have always impressed me!!!

Hello,
Thank you!! WOW!! Your beautiful and an inspiration!! I was reading the other comments back to you from MM members and they were great…I am 42 just getting back into it and I love all the positive attitudes here on MM. I agree with being your age and owning that. BY embracing that, knowing and loving who you are on the inside, you will radiate that on the outside. You seem to have that down! Best of Luck to you and all the beautiful 40+ Models out there doing it! I LOVE IT!!!!! Thanks Again..
Michelle

Thank you so much for these encouraging words. I am 44 and I’m just embarking on this adventure. I also am a mother of two and am trying to break into this 40+ model thing! I will definately take some of the advice you have offered here. Thanks again!

I’m always modeling..I turn 40 in a few months. Take good care of your body, eat right.. (I’m veggie 39 years)..Don’t do drugs, don’t smoke, take supplements, get beauty treatments if needed.. Botox and fillers get rid of the signs of aging if needed..Sleep is a big factor.. They call it “Beauty Rest” for a reason. Keep your weight age appropriate. You cant be a waif at 40 or above, it makes you look aged. Some curves are sexy and muscle is key to keep you youthful. Stress, forget about it…Find a way to release your stress. Dancing keeps stress away for me. Anyway, some of the Hottest women I have ever seen are 40+ you know why??? 40+ women are confident and are smart enough not to be out partying and putting chemicals into their bodies like 20 year old girls I see.

Hi, I am 41 and just started Photoshoots in June this year, I made a lot of Progress , and i love being in front of the Camera, Never thought i would make it as model, I have 3 Children and I am married. But i look younger than what i am. I’m so glad that someone else is out there my age doing this, And I am looking forward to going a Long way in the Modeling Industry. I just wish i could have started this in my younger years. But my first Appointment is coming up with Barbizon this Saturday, So excited. I would really like to go for Print work, Fashion And Runway. That’s my Dream. Good luck to you and wish you all the best

Hope this works for guys 40 and over

Hi Sweet Maria,

Great Blog!
You are a wonderfull and good model, i know that because we worked together in a business shoot

Keep up te good work!

Truly amazing!!! An inspiration to me as I am starting out at the age of 34 with out children. I am literally busting my butt at the gym 6 days a week. I am also happy you said “Do it when you want to”. Excellent advice and I hope I can be where you are one day. I also handle rejection real well as I have been scouted before and it just wasn’t for me at the age of 17. Thanls so much for shedding light on this topic as it gives me even more gusto to succeed!!!!

I’ve done commercial print ad modeling as a 40+ male model and the clothes I modeled were for men my age. So yes, there is work out there for older models, both male and female models. But like you said, lingerie or fitness type modeling is not realistic for older models.

So awesome!

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your courageous story. I plan on taking that trip along a similar path. Thanks for the encouragement.

Amen and hallelujah! From one 40 year old model to another. I started at 35 after being placed on disability. Now at 40, I am doing more workshops and photo shoots of an artistic nature and I love it. Yes, we hear the word “No” more often, but I never get discouraged. I gracefully thank them for their time and consideration and move on to the project. I am always learning from and networking with my fellow younger models and every photographer I work with. Keep up the awesome work!

You and I have a similar story. I’m a year younger and have been placed on disability and I like to keep moving on to the next as well……This is a great way to feel great about yourself and feel like you are working very hard every day no matter what your income!!!

Bravo!

I wish there were more mature models…

I am also a 40+ model and found this article refreshing. Thank you for sharing!!

I much prefer working with older models. The young one seem to have attitudes that are not very appropriate for a “professional” model. The older models have seen life and are much more easy to work with.

Wow! just as I was about to hang up my birthday suit this article comes along. Everyone says how beautiful I am and what a great body, but no one ever hires me. I thought maybe makeup artistry is where I should stay. At 48 and 4 kids later, you inspired me to keep on going.

One thing that you say goes for every model wanting to do better, to have a great portfolio, make money modeling “I did a lot of TFP and free work for photographers, while always focusing on creating a good portfolio. I worked hard, drove many miles, and had both good and bad experiences.” It is so sad that so many models have a few poorly taken pics taken by some pervs who say they look great and get comments by other pervs that say they look great so after maybe a few months they want to do Paid Work Only and wonder why they never get the great pics of them. I have seen model who say that they have been modeling for more than 7 years and yet when you look at their portfolio it is so amateurish. If more models had your drive, worked hard on goals like you have there would be so many more great portfolios on MM.

I for one love mature models over 35 and I wish that more of them would come to me. I wish that more of them would realize that working tf with a photographer is about building the best portfolio possible before they move on to getting paid work. Even after more than 7 years as a photographer working with models from MM and OMP I still love shooting tf with models.

Thank you all very much for the wonderful comments! I would love to see your portfolios and lets be each others inspiration….
Thank you MM for publishing this article.

Maria

I love working with 40 plus models,I’ve painted all ages from 16 to 62,and found,on the whole, 40 plus are more aware of what’s required, are less demanding,less full of themselves,more helpful and generally more professional.( apologies to all younger models who DO turn up when required)

I am 44, and very interested in a shoot-I am also a makeup artist so no problem there—I am new to this, so help me along….shhgrplum@yahoo.com. More info later if necessary….Thank you…. kdd

Sent you an e-mail. Hopefully we are close. I am “always” open to helping out models. For anyone else Im in the Inland Empire near Los Angeles Ca. All I ask is that you are serious and do not flake. Together we can create amazing pics for your portfolio and I will do it TF>

I am a 44 yr old grandmother of 4 and I have 2 beutiful daughters…I started modeling about a year in half ago…I love it…I did alot of tf shoots and casting calls…Now I am on a reality tv show…Called MODELWANNABE…and I am the oldest on the show… I have also been doing paid photo shoots for awhile now…40+ women are beautiful and I am happy to say I soon will be 45 yrs old…and I am praying and hoping that my dream only gets better…I love the challenge and I hope that every women out there that wants to try modeling…GO FOR IT !!! just take care of yourself…I have eaten an apple for breakfast for the last 3 yrs and I drink water everyday all day long…and don’t forget to walk for at least 30-45 mins a day if not every other day…I have done all these things for the last 3 yrs and I feel great and look great for my age…good luck to all of you with a DREAM…

I am sooo glad you wrote this article! I am over 40 as well and I would love to find work. I do not know where to begin really. Commercial is definitely where I am leaning towards.

How coincidental this article is. I have been doing some photos of/with my partner; we are both mid 50s. I am amazed by what we have taken and thoroghly enjoyed the challenges a more mature and full bodied model brings. My partner is thinking of doing more modelling (she used to life model in her teens). Does she have what it takes (have I done her justice)? If I might ask; check out http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25504308 or http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25506690 and let me know (comment on pic).

Great article Maria, love it.

I am 37 and have started modelling again after many years of being wife and mother. it’s taken some time to get everything polished and have learnt alot about myself. But mainly my friends and family along with my husband and children are so proud of a mum who is
Flying the flag for older models. X

beautiful!

How nice to read that people want to photograph over 40 models, i am 50 and have been modeling for 4 years and love it, i would love to get more shoots. any one no where to go!

Wonderful reading! I’m 43 & really want to get into modeling for the fun of it!!!

At 48, I just started this year and this is very inspiring to me. I have 4 grown boys and adopted my daughter. I think she keeps me young and I have great genes.

great to read this sort of stuff, i am 50 and been modeling for 4 years and luvvvvvvv it, so i say if you enjoy it, do it. i have a great pair of legs and would love to model for prettypolly or ann summers .

I am glad to see other older models on here.

I need to show this to all the more mature ladies of my acquaintance.

thank you for such an inspiring article

I think its wonderful to see models in their 40′s at present I am 21 , and am always thinking about age , age, age , it should not be about age , age does not determine how a person looks, if you look after your skin and your body, it can look pretty amazing in its 40′s we need to get the modeling industry to understand that, don’t ask age, just go by looks and personality , I would like to think when im 40 I will be able to do modeling.

I’m in my 40s, almost 50, and am enjoying my modeling experiences now. I’ve been paid for some but have done a lot of TF and really had a great time! It’s great to have someone affirm my modeling ambition in my 40s!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Very inspirational! As a 30+ model sometimes I get bummed out wishing I was still in my 20′s. It is awesome to hear that there are still agencies wanting to hire more mature women. I will be proud of my age experience physique and beauty as a 30+ model from now on and move forward with ambitious but realistic aspirations as a model.

I am still modelling lingerie and swimwear and indeed Art nude at age 60. Have stayed in great shape through country and coastal walking. Have been told time and time again I don’t look my age….so who cares about the numbers written on a birth certificate. I know my limitations, but whilst photographers still want to book me, then that’s great. I have a great deal of modelling experience, am reliable and photographers tell me I could teach the younger models a thing or two about posing. Don’t hide one’s age..be proud of it. I am…

Thank you so very kindly for sharing your experiences, strenghts and hope!!! You are truly an inspiration. I did my first shoot ever last weekend at age 41, not nervous at all but carrying the attitude that its all just for fun while feeling doubtful that it would ever go anywhere. The shoot went very very well, with absolutely beautiful images coming from it for a first timer. When I read what you have shared, my doubts may be unrealistic and fear based. You have helped me more than you know. I got a call today from a photographer in Los Angeles who saw me on another site and has a project that he would like me to participate in……..you just never know, think happy thoughts, and you will fly, think shit and shit you will recieve. I will be doing another fashion shoot tomorrow and super excited to share with you all the images taken. Ready to work hard and reach goals. Thank you again, you are a true inspiration and role model.

Kind Regards,

Kim

The point about posting professional photos to social media is KEY! Young models often have terrible photos on their facebook especially. Seeing oneself as a brand is essential to any level of success. My one experience with an over 40 model was one who lied in her profile and said she was 35. Silly, but I just went ahead and made her look 35. All of the fantasies are quite beautiful to me, so I don’t mind if old wants to play young or vice versa. For paid work, I think ALL models should have professional, but un-retouched photos in their portfolio, or available upon request. An “unedited” jpeg is the new Polaroid.

As far as over 40s go, I’ve yet to work with one that didn’t put any 20yo to shame. Better attitude and understanding.

You look great and more power to you …I am over 40 as well ….love Modeling but more the Lingerie Type.

Misty

i have always heard that older models take it more serious, a lot of photogs have told me that

I just turned 42 may 21st…Just got out of a 15 year marrage…Im new 2 all of this, I have a great positive personality & wonderful energy…I feel good 4 my age,,If anyone out there needs a erotic ,cute but fun 42 year young female,,please call me ~469~443~2450

Great article Maria, easy to read & straight to the point from experience! -NeoRacer

Becus ur so talented, beautiful & genuine!:) -Neo

So many models over 40 or almost 40 that are responding I love it. I have been working with models for more than 7 years now and I have a very good portfolio already. I have professional studio lighting and even a boudoir studio set up. I can even shoot outdoors as I love both.

Any models in my area who are responding here I will shoot TF because I love models over 40. Here is a link to my profile on MM

http://www.modelmayhem.com/210934

Wonderful article Maria! Being a 47 year old MALE MODEL I can fully appreciate the time you took to share your story.

Mac Davis
http://www.modelmayhem.com/2700

There are some beautiful models in the Bay Area Models’ Guild over 40, including myself. I have always embraced age and am very proud to be “older” and in charge of my career. I think we tend to be more professional than a lot of younger models too.

I found your article and gave it a read.

I think you did an excellent job of it.

I want to thank you for this post! As I enter the age of 30 I had begun to think that all hope is gone for the modeling industry. But your story helps me to realize that it only happens if you put forth the effort and that is at any age.

Hooray! A model with the class and charisma who understands that it is not all about youth . . . beautiful youth. Yes, a place for a late-starter who has really done her homework, her research! Your thoughts and enthusiasm speak wonders of the talent within . . . that complements your gorgeous physicality. Thanks for sharing with the MM community!

I am 45 yrs old and got into modeling after doing a boudoir shoot strictly for myself, since I was turning 45. After i saw the unedited high and low res images, I was shocked that I could look so good so, luckily, the photographer that shot me used to be a model and also managed models as well as was a casting agent. I asked her about the marketability of someone “my age” and she told me there certain was a demand for my age demographic. She told me to upload some images (unedited) onto OMP and see what happens.

Well, that was the start. I started receiving a ton of msgs from photographers that wanted to shoot with me but the prob was that I was getting a ton of porn offers and creeps since I had “shoot nudes” marked. I rec’d the most bizarre requests from amateur photogs that wanted to shoot porn although not all of them thought their project was porn. I also shot with a photographer who was worse than an amateur and never rec’d my edited images. I had a lot of bad experiences but also some good ones.

I went on to register for Model Mayhem and, again, the messages were flying in. In fact, I am still trying to get thru them all. It took some time to weed thru the ones that were bogus, come-ons and just ppl welcoming me to MM but i did receive some shoot requests from some good photographers.

The one thing I hear all the time from photographers that msg me is that they think Im gorgeous but just not working with the right photographers; that in fact, Im working with pure amateurs. Now, the question is do they just want my money or is what they are saying true or both?? I definitely need to build my port so I have no probs working tfcd, however, I have since taken off shooting nudes for tf. I will NOT do that; it must be paid.

I have also been on shoots where the photographers port has blown me away and I got so excited that they wanted to work with me as tf when they specifically said “no tfs” that I jumped at the chance. During the shoot, I was told that they were going to take images that were going to stand out so much that I would have alot more professionals knocking on my door rather than the amateurs I had been working with. Needless to say, after I rec’d my images nothing jumped out at me and none of my images even remotely compared to the quality of this photographers work on his port, not to mention he didnt even post any of my images on his port. Idk what that was all about but I have learned that I need to develop thick skin in this industry as that was quite hurtful to me and to make matters worse, the model he shot the day after me, was posted on his port.

It is tougher for women our age to get modeling jobs since we are competing against the younger ones but what we can bring to a shoot is maturity that these young girls cant and we wont flake on the photographers like these younger girls so often do. Yes, their skin is nicer and has less flaws than ours but every photographer should know how to shoot models of all ages, shape, size, color, etc. There are no excuses and photoshop can do wonders.

Ive only started modeling since early November but i am driven 100% and strive to be the best model I possibly can be. I bring alot of fun to my shoots as well as maturity and I take direction well. If any photographer is interested in working with me, please contact me via MM. I am also on OMP. I believe in giving 100% and I expect the same in return however, I admit, I have alot to learn and am willing to do so but I have learned something new from each shoot I have been on.

We 40+ models are what today’s industry should be about. We have what it takes and can bring alot more than just looks and good skin to our shoots. I take good care of myself and I dont look my age, which is a major plus for me in this industry.

Feel free to contact me if you have viewed my port and would like to work with me or if you would like to give me advice. I am open-minded. My name on MM is listed as SamanthaL

Thank you and best of luck to all!!!!

abosolutely im interested