Modeling at 50

​Photo courtesy of Bonnie Miller (bonmiller.com)

---

A Later-In-Life Career Change​

Changing a career path at the age of 50 - who does this? It can sound scary to some, especially once you've reached a later-in-life age. I'm not saying 50 is old. As a matter of fact, 50 is considered by many to be the new 30. But changing careers at any age can be a little intimidating.

I was invited by a photographer to participate in a nude/boudoir photo shoot a few months ago. Of the 5 models who were invited, I was the oldest (by 30 years). I'm not new to modeling - I've done some in the past few years, but never a nude shoot. This pushed my boundaries for sure. I looked forward to being photographed but not for the reasons you might think. This was therapy for me. Let me explain why:

The shoot arrived at the perfect time - just before Lent, which was when I decided to practice loving my body as my Lent intention. Why would I choose to do this? I am recovering from anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder. This has been a life-long battle for me, which stems from my childhood. My personal journey of learning to love my body exactly as it is today hasn't been easy. I notice every flaw, every wrinkle, every stretch mark. Then I realized something important - those parts of my body that I think are defects are reflections of a life well lived. When I look at it in this way, I feel proud of them.

Each day more and more of my photos started to arrive in my inbox from the eight photographers who photographed me. Each day I was afraid to open my emails - afraid of what I might see. But, as I downloaded each photo I saw someone I didn't recognize. I saw what the photographers saw - my genuineness, my true essence, my unique beauty.  For someone who has a distorted view of their body, I was given an incredible gift. For the first time in my life I could see myself for who I really am, and I love her.

After the shoot, I was asked to model again for a project of women at every age. I will be representing the 50-year-old in this project, which will focus on how beauty changes as we age. I'm excited on where this new career path will take me.
​
What is important for me to remember during this life-changing process, this Lenten journey, is to love my body exactly as it is today - not to wait until my body is perfect and then love it, but to love it today and every day. I am a beautifully unique 50-year-old model, mother and grandmother, and my body is exactly as it should be. Now, onto the next photo shoot!

​© 2016 ZUSHKA BIROS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Photo by fotographfx.com

If you liked what you read today, you may make a contribution and support my writing. Much gratitude!

Peace,
Zushka