A Partial List of Rebellious Women - Photographer Rachel Hadiashar

Over 50 - A Collective of (Extra)ordinary Women

In 2021, Rachel Hadiashar set out to photograph 50 women age 50 and older. Recognizing the impact women have on the structure of our communities – and the level of experience and self-knowledge we gain as we age, Rachel combined studio portraits and interviews to format a snapshot of 50 different women intended for a village-level community audience. The project blossomed into a larger body of work. Rachel found herself photographing 100+ women in the Portland Metro area over two years with participants’ ages representing more than 6,000 years of lived experience and wisdom. A glimpse into the theme of aging and beauty emerged, providing a breathtaking opportunity to see women as women see themselves, claiming and re-claiming confidence and power.

If you would like to be photographed in the studio, please contact Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

Debbie Johnson, 63

“A happy person brings joy to those around them. A...

Loyal, compassionate, and kind, Julia Alicia loves spending time with her family and friends, as well as making a difference in her community. She believes in living life to the fullest, loving passionately, and that one should always keep laughing. Throughout her life, she has found wisdom in the ability to not worry about gaining the validation of others and instead has focused on her accomplishments and demonstrating to her children that anything is possible.

Julia Alicia Galicia, 54

Julia Alicia Galicia believes in living life to the fullest,...

Diane Solomon, 62

“Wisdom is attractive, sexy, beautiful!” Diane Solomon was photographed and...

Kim Boaz, 50

“Don't look back - you're not going that way.” Kim...

Linda Cahan, 73

Linda Cahan was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

Jen Garrison, 53

Jen Garrison was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the...

Vicki Giampietro, 64

“I've pretty much always felt that being in shape is...

Marie Wright, 71

“I have never really been concerned with being attractive. I...

Jenn Barker, 57

“I feel like I have always been attracted to people...

Michelle Rios, 55

“Absolutely my perception of attractiveness has shifted. Attractiveness is not...

Lori Watkins, 56

Lori Watkins was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the...

Sherri Beach, 57

‘True peace is possible within ourselves. All decisions are made...

Sherri Beach, 57

‘True peace is possible within ourselves. All decisions are made out of love or fear. Choose love.’ Sherri’s most cherished possession is her soul’s happiness and purpose. She has become literate in this life lesson along the path of life, with the great achievement of continual enlightenment and awareness. Sherri...

“Don’t waste life. Don’t put things off. Enjoy every minute that you can. Make the best of whatever comes.” Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar photographed and interviewed Jerry Corbin in 2021, at the age of 92 at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Jerry Corbin, 92

“When you’re old, you still have the same feelings that you had when you were young. Family just means so much. Memories mean a lot.” “Don’t waste life. Don’t put things off. Enjoy every minute that you can. Make the best of whatever comes.” According to her granddaughter Nicole, Jerry...

Photographer Rachel Hadiashar photographed and interviewed Sarah Jesudason in 2021 at the age of 50.

Sarah Jesudason, 50

“I used to be an absolute zinger on self-deprecating comments. I claimed it as self defense; if I said the bad things about myself, they were already out there before anyone else could say them. I thought I was delivering these comments with wit, and that would balance out the...

“Life is too short to spend one single minute with someone who doesn't think you're the most amazing person in the world.” Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar interviewed and photographed author Julie Kick in 2021 at the age of 57 at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Julie Kick, 57

“Life is too short to spend one single minute with someone who doesn’t think you’re the most amazing person in the world.” Julie is an optimist with a huge heart and an unfailing belief in the human spirit. Julie is a singer, actress, and writer – recently publishing her first...

Camie Pugsley, 58

“As you get older you have lived a larger percent of your life already — even if you don’t really know what the percent is. If I were to live to be 100, I’ve lived 59% of my life already. You get to thinking more about getting to those things...

Darcy Burke, 52

“Beauty is about happiness and joy and that’s what my family is. I feel the most beautiful with my children.” Darcy, USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Historical Romance, is mother to two children, a wife of 30+ years with an array of rescue cats. She is a self-described...

“I do define attractive differently now. I think of attractive not in the conventional sense of beauty of body or face but more in the sense of enthusiasm for life in whatever form it takes.” Maggie Maggio was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 67 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

5889

5889 years of collective life experience and wisdom. I am thrilled to announce that my portrait campaign featuring 100 vibrant women over 50 will be showcased at the Hillsboro Library at Brookwood. The gallery will run throughout the month of March in honor of Women’s History Month! This exhibit is...

“Life is what we make it!” Carrie Keys was photographed and interviewed by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in 2021 at the age of 50.

Carrie Keys, 50

“Life is what we make it!” Open-minded, caring, and resilient, Carrie finds the positive in challenging situations. She believes the most rewarding thing about getting older is the ability to look back at all life’s experiences, to learn from them, and to know that there is so much more to...

Jenn Barker, 57

“I feel like I have always been attracted to people by their character first and not outward appearance. I think the most attractive people are the ones who can make you laugh, see the positive side and have a passion for something.” Jenn Barker was interviewed and photographed in 2022...

Photographer Rachel Hadiashar photographed and interviewed Angela Braxton-Johnson in 2021

Angela Braxton-Johnson, 54

“I would love to show that women over 50 can be bold, beautiful and sexy at any size; that they can reinvent, rebuild and rebrand – basically start over in their careers and be successful, even more successful than they were when they were younger! That we are living our...

“A coward dies a thousand deaths.” Catherine Schindler was photographed in 2021 at the age of 53 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Catherine Schindler, 53

“A coward dies a thousand deaths.” Catherine deeply loves her family and grandchildren, and embraces the time she gets to spend with them. Compassionate, loving, and caring, Catherine has enjoyed her career as a nurse and loves that she gets to learn something new every day. Intelligent and sarcastic, Catherine...

“Mistakes make us better. There are very few wrong decisions in life, just alternatives: choose your own adventure.” Stephanie Nicolai was photographed and interviewed in 2021 at the age of 54 at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Stephanie Nicolai, 54

“Mistakes make us better. There are very few wrong decisions in life, just alternatives: choose your own adventure.” Goofy, open, and huggable, Stephanie believes in the essential good in all people. She is fiercely trusting and loyal, loves good food, and loves time with her family. She enjoys being out...

“My perceptions have absolutely changed over time, as I discover the societal conditioning at the root of my self-criticism and body shame. I'm still working on it, but I will say that the 50 over 50 photo shoot experience was profoundly positive for my body image, and my overall sense of seeing myself. I am profoundly grateful for this experience. I discovered a deeper love and appreciation for my middle-age, curvy, bumpy, imperfect form; and came away with deep gratitude for this body that carries me through the world.” Delila Olson was photographed in 2021 at the age of 58 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Portland, Oregon.

Delila Olsson, 58

“My perceptions have changed with awareness of the societal conditioning at the root of my self-criticism and body shame, though I’m still working on it. The 50 over 50 photo shoot experience, for which I am so grateful, positively impacted my ability to see and accept my body and myself....

“I have never liked getting my picture taken, but I'm finally comfortable with my body and confident in who I am.” Jimi Couture was photographed by Rachel Hadiashar in 2021 at the age of 57 at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Jimi Couture, 57

“I have never liked getting my picture taken, but I’m finally comfortable with my body and confident in who I am.” A confident, fair, and decisive leader, people are attracted to her integrity. Jimi also finds herself spiritually in tune with nature and the universe. People just like her. Jimi...

Susan Trezise, 66

‘Every single person is dealing with something at some time. You can’t avoid the tragedies of life. And many, many have a much heavier load in life. So be kind. Be helpful.’ Susan is described by others as kind, compassionate and fun loving. She has a deep-seated inclination to be...

Sharon Pollin, 62

“We can look at the time that we have as chapters, and it’s our choice what to title them.” An incredible listener, people confide in Sharon and admire her heart. She loves spending time with her family and friends and enjoys being a “good, deep friend” to those around her....

Stephanie Parish, 50

“I was taught that I needed to look a specific way or wear makeup or fit in with societal beauty types. I went from sneaking makeup and putting it on at my friends house before school (took A LOT of work!) to finding college life had no place for that...

Linda Lagraff, 58

“For me personally, I think I was most attractive when I was thinner and younger. As I have gotten older and bigger, I tend to criticize myself more when I look at pictures. This isn't true of other people. Attractive is more in the way people hold themselves.” Linda Lagraff...

Debbie Johnson, 63

“A happy person brings joy to those around them. A smile is the most attractive trait available to each and every person.” Debbie Johnson was photographed in 2022 at the age of 63 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Sherwood, Oregon.

“Damn, I've had a good life. And I am still having it.“ Oregon Photographer Rachel H interviewed and photographed Sherill Roberts in 2021 at the age of 74 at the photo studio in Portland, Oregon.

Sherill Roberts, 74

“A lot of freedom can come from being my age- freedom from expectations of society… freedom from things that I should do – maybe I don’t want to do them! It’s very freeing.” “I like that I am a realist: I am not afraid to recognize problems and I am...

Andrea Kreiner of Red Cedar Forest Therapy

Andrea Kreiner, 58

“I see more things as attractive now, my view of beauty and attractiveness has broadened. I see the intrinsic beauty in things now, not just the external.” Andrea Kreiner was photographed in 2022 at the age of 58 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Portland, Oregon

Mary Lopez, 61

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." Mary Lopez was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 61 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio n Sherwood, OR.

Marlene Kendrick, 64

“Attractive now is personality and trustfulness.” Marlene Kendrick was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 64 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in the Sherwood Oregon portrait studio.

Robyn Knox, 51

“I’ve spent 50 years getting really comfortable in this body!” Robyn Knox was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

Michelle Rios, 55

“Absolutely my perception of attractiveness has shifted. Attractiveness is not a physical characteristic, it's an energy that someone emanates. It has a magnetic quality and it causes you to want to lean toward that person, lean in, listen deeper, see clearer, understand more thoroughly. It's all encompassing versus one tangible...

Ann Scott, 56

“As a younger person, I felt being attractive had mostly physical qualities, however now that I am more mature I feel attractiveness is much more personality than physical qualities.” Ann finds pure joy in retirement and life with her husband; she is dabbling in almost anything she can get her...

“My Great Grandmother inspired me to lean in and make it happen— regardless of what others think.” Photographer Rachel Hadiashar interviewed and photographed Deb Mrazek in 2021 at the age of 60, at the photo studio in Portland Oregon.

Deb Mrazek, 60

“My Great Grandmother inspired me to lean in and make it happen— regardless of what others think.” “I tend to hand make everything.” Deb considers recipes as guidelines and cooking as a creative outlet. She is running a cooking club as well as serving on the advisory panel for America’s...

Sheryl Cooksley, 59

“We're treated as if we ‘don't understand’ yet we understand A LOT because we have years of life and experiences to draw from.” Sheryl has a bone to pick with stereotypes of “older” women. Sheryl Cooksley was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 59 in Sherwood Oregon...

“Now I've learned to accept my wrinkles as a road map of life.” Margaret Auffert was photographed in 2022 at the age of 59, in Portland by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

Margaret Auffert, 59

“Now I’ve learned to accept my wrinkles as a road map of life.” Margaret hopes the world views her as beautiful both inside and out, with a heart and actions of honesty. She perceives the outward wrinkles acquired with time to be a roadmap of her life. While she believes...

Barbara Shelton, 54

Caring and loving, Barbara is one of those people that welcomes you with open arms, will lend a shoulder to cry on, and listen closely when you need a friend. She loves her family and friends and finds great joy in their presence. Barbara finds the positive in tough situations...

Robin Carnese, 50

“It is what it is! The Universe has a plan! In other words, stop wasting your time over worry and fret. Do what you can do, and leave the rest to whatever will be.” Robin is an incredibly resilient woman of 50 who has overcome so many obstacles and heartbreak...

Michelle Mackey, 51

“I don't have to look like anyone's idea of beauty anymore. I like what I see in the mirror. Even if I do have blinders on about some of myself.” Michelle Mackey was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio...

Leea Voetberg, 63

“Yes, beauty comes from within, it makes a person beautiful on the outside. Attractive is a person with kind eyes, wrinkles, laugh lines, who is fun, good, quirky, dry, and a sense of humor - who can laugh at themselves.” Leea Voetberg was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

Anastasia Lipske, 61

“I now believe attractiveness is so much more than what's on the outside. It's the confidence and love for others on the inside that is much more attractive.” Anastasia Lipske was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 61 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio in Sherwood,...

Colleen O’Brien, 53

“I would like some photos where I look and feel my absolute best at the age and situation that I’m in. I would like to see strength and confidence and a badass attitude in my eyes – so the photos can serve as lasting proof that my health issues do...

“I do not feel old at all. In fact, I feel younger inside because I don't sweat the small stuff anymore at all!” Stacey Kohler was photographed in 2021 at the age of 54.

Stacey Kohler, 54

“I do not feel old at all. In fact, I feel younger inside because I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore at all!” Laid back, easygoing, and real, Stacey embraces being sure of herself and not caring what other people think of her. Her inner spirit and her four boys...

Julia Alicia Galicia, 54

Julia Alicia Galicia believes in living life to the fullest, loving passionately, and that one should always keep laughing. Julia Alicia was photographed in 2022 at the age of 54 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the Sherwood Portrait Studio.

Connie Hanson, Age 51 interviewed and photographed by Rachel Hadiashar in 2021

Connie Hanson, 51

“Don’t waste a second of your life thinking you are inadequate: get out there and shine your light in the world” is something Connie would tell her 20 something self. Ambitious, courageous, and outgoing, fearlessly showing up for life is something that Connie deeply believes. Approaching life with love and...

Maggie Maggio, 67

“I do define attractive differently now. I think of attractive not in the conventional sense of beauty of body or face but more in the sense of enthusiasm for life in whatever form it takes.” Maggie Maggio was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 67 by Photographer...

Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar photographed Joyce Lindsay in 2021 at the age of 62. "In the worship of security we fling ourselves beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone." - Sterling Hayden, Wanderer

Joyce Lindsay, 62

“In the worship of security we fling ourselves beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone.” – Sterling Hayden, Wanderer “Love is a verb” Tenacious, resourceful, and funny, a significant driving force behind Joyce’s life is a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. After...

Shauna O’Neil, 50

“I don’t need to please others. I just need to do what is right and speak my truth with kindness.” “I strive to find peace and joy no matter where I am. And when I stop feeling those things, I move on.” Dedicated to her children, faith, and community, Shauna...

Robyn Beisell was photographed and interviewed in 2021 at the age of 64. “Kill your inner critic. She's wrong about everything.”

Robyn Beisell, 64

“I do not support society’s narrow definition of physical beauty. Personality, passion, experience, heartfelt conversation, interaction with the world, integrity, personal ethics, humor, and individual gifts combine to create interesting people. I find that complexity fascinating and attractive.” “I would love for society and all media to portray older people...

Danette Buchanan, 64

“Advanced age has brought out the beauty I didn’t recognize when I was younger.” ‘Freedom to truly be yourself. Watching your ancestry come alive in real-time through your children, grandchildren, and greats. Realizing that now you are the matriarch and you carry the mantle with pride!’ For Danette, those are...

Iris Ireland, 55

“I care about everyone and the world. I want to do my part to make the world a better place. Not just from an environmental place, but from the way we treat one another as human beings.” Dedicated to serving and supporting her son, friends, and family, Iris’ greatest joy...

Michelle Nakoa Medeiros, 53

“My perception of beauty hasn't changed much over time. I still love to see women dressed to the nines without having to throw out their body parts to attract others.” Michelle Nakoa Medeiros was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 53 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in the...

Carol Gunn, 63

“Attractive is put together, confident, and open to new experiences.” Carol Gunn was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at age 63 at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

Linda Cahan, 73

Linda Cahan was photographed in 2022 at the age of 73 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar photographed and interviewed Nicole Corbin Lawson in 2021 at the age of 52 at the studio in Portland, OR.

Nicole Corbin Lawson, 52

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” A lover of supporting and caring for others, Nicole aims to help people live full and beautiful lives. Described as loving, loyal, and enthusiastic, Nicole works to make Oregon a place where people with substance use and gambling disorders...

“Have a passion. I don’t care what it is, just have a passion. It will save you.” Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar interviewed Joy Shenk in 2021 at the age of 88 at the studio in Portland, Oregon.

Joy Shenk, 88

Loyal, positive, and energetic, Joy finds great happiness in the blessings she has received throughout her life. Joy loves being around people and enjoys caring for those around her. Those who know Joy admire her for her compassion, energy, and passion. Outspoken, you always know where you stand with Joy....

“I'm exactly where I want to be and things just keep getting better." Photographer Rachel Hadiashar interviewed Deborah Bice in 2021 at the age of 64 at the photo studio in Portland, Oregon.

Deborah Bice, 64

“I’m exactly where I want to be and things just keep getting better.” Thoughtful, loving, self aware, and open, Deborah aims to help her clients live their lives consciously and intentionally. As a relationship and sexuality coach, Deborah greatly values connecting with others through conversation, authenticity, and growth. She enjoys...

In 2021 and 2022, Photographer Rachel Hadiashar interviewed and photographed one hundred women over the age of fifty.

The total years of collective experience for the 2021 Cohort equals 2,934.

2955 is the collective number of years of wisdom photographed in 2022 for the purpose of this project.

(Data set for ages was collected based on subject’s age on the day of the portrait sitting.)

Photographer Rachel Hadiashar met with each woman several times to interview and then photograph each person. The resulting set of images are of women in the Portland-ish area, with the only common denominator that they are age 50 or better. These well-seasoned women showed us all a glimpse into their (extra)ordinary lives.